Letter to the Editor: Chris Pia

On 6-2-2012 I was reading the Mike Turner for Sheriff web site and was surprised at how Mr. Turner could emphasize the firing of Mr. Smith during his tenure as a Deputy under his command during the Past Sheriff Nash Administration when he was a Major of operations. He is insistent on punishing a man whom already was punished by his administration being fired by his administration and not being in favor of giving him another chance.Mr Turner was given another chance when he was hired by the Dallas Police Department in 1989 after admitting he used another co-worker’s prescription headache medication for his headache while employed at Ryan’s steakhouse. In 2012 I was present at a community meeting where Mike Turner responded to a question to Both Candidates about catching an officer stealing money. The question was “Would you fire them or let them resign?” Sheriff L.C. Knight stated He would investigate it and Fire them. Mike Turner responded Angrily and claimed involvement in the Jail Captains Arrest and investigation .This was not true and when told SLED investigated and arrested the Captain and presented it to a State Grand Jury He stated “He was arrested wasn’t He”. The truth of that matter was Capt. Pastor was allowed to remove all his items from his car and then allowed to resign and collect a pension. This case was investigated by SLED, County Council and a Private paid accounting firm. The Nash administration claimed it was a Witch Hunt all along. Mike Turner at one point in his campaign claimed he was involved in the arrest. He wasn’t. 

Recently Mike Turner is emphasizing Sheriff L.C. Knights Cooperation with Sheriff Al Cannon in regards to the Swat Team. He has written on his web site that when he left at end of 2008 the CERT team was trained and operating. This is far from the truth. In 2007 when the Jail Captain was arrested for stealing over $360,000 that went unnoticed by the Major of Operations and Sheriff Nash, the replacement for the jail Captain was the CERT Team Commander and all training ceased as well as the Unit. Mike Turner Obtained a $27,000 Master’s Degree from American Intercontinental University in the same year from a For profit Diploma mill that was going through accreditation problems at that time. 

Mike Turner has recently placed a letter in the newspaper in regards to a $700 operational firearm that was presented to him as a shadow box for him leaving the Dorchester County Sheriffs Office (not retiring). He had the letter cc.. to his Attorney and Campaign Contributor Mr Finkel instead of returning the item to the Dorchester County taxpayers. Mike Turner has emphasized during his campaign speeches that he will be placing all expenditures on a website even if taxpayers don’t like where or what the money is spent on. He wants complete disclosure and State Sovereignty without Federal Oversight under the constitution. I have been in Law enforcement for years and have never heard of a shadow box having a Firearm in it. It is a good thing he didn’t get his vehicle too.Sheriff Ray Nash gave him this county property and is endorsing Mr Turner on Christian Exodus web site and on Mike Turner Campaign Site. 

I have known Sheriff L.C. Knight and Respect and Admire his Professionalism and his work ethic. The Sheriff is a Full Time Sheriff and is always working to improve the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office. He has been a good steward of the taxpayer’s money. He is a proven leader and a man of real integrity and commitment to the Dorchester County Residents. I hope you will join me and my family in voting for Sheriff L.C. Knight for Sheriff of Dorchester County on June 12, 2012. The Taxpayers Can’t afford another Nash protégé. 

Chris Pia 
Bridges of Summerville