Batten down the hatches, folks. South Carolina is in the news again possibly over lgbt issues.
From WBTW News 13:
The Mayor of the Town Of Latta fired the town's Police Chief on Tuesday.
Latta town councilman Jared Taylor told us the mayor fired Crystal Moore because she received 7 reprimands. News13 was there as Moore, the first female chief of Latta, packed her belongings and left her office late Tuesday afternoon.
One Council Member told News13 that the seven reprimands Moore received on Tuesday from the mayor were the first reprimands Moore ever received on the job --- and that's after working for the police department in Latta for more than 20 years.
Moore has received a lot of support from residents. The mayor, Earl Bullard, on the other hand, has received much criticism. Several council members said that in firing Moore, he did not follow proper protocol. Some questioned why he gave Moore all seven reprimands in one day and one council member called several of them "questionable."
And others have said that Bullard fired Moore because she is openly gay. In fact, an audio of a phone conversation obtained by the network seems to give that argument lots of credibility. The mayor's comments are absolutely appalling:
WBTW-TV: News, Weather, and Sports for Florence, SC
Transcript:
"I would much rather have.. and I will say this to anybody's face... somebody who drank and drank too much taking care of my child than I had somebody whose lifestyle is questionable around children. Because that ain't the damn way it's supposed to be. You know.. you got people out there -- I'm telling you buddy -- I don't agree with some of the lifestyles that I see portrayed and I don't say anything because that is the way they want to live, but I am not going to let my child be around. " I'm not going to let 2 women stand up there and hold hands and let my child be aware of it. And I'm not going to see them do it with 2 men neither." I'm not going to do it. Because that ain't the way the world works. " Now, all these people showering down and saying 'Oh it's a different lifestyle they can have it.' Ok, fine and dandy, but I don't have to look at it and I don't want my child around it."
This situation is definitely not over as of yet. There will be a discussion of this issue Thursday at a town council meeting at 5:30 p.m.
UPDATE - According to Carolina Live, News Channel 15, Bullard refused to say why he had fired Moore, calling it a personnel matter. However, Moore has much support from residents of Latta. On Thursday, some of her supporters will rally in support of her.
Meanwhile, according to Latta Councilman Jared Taylor, the council does not consider Moore fired. He said while the mayor can fire the police chief, it has to be approved by the council. And during its Thursday meeting, the council will vote on reinstating Moore.
