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SUNDAY DECEMBER 18 2016

LEDGER-ENQUIRER.COM News 9A

SOUTH CHINA SEA FROM PAGE 1A and Clerk of Superior ple person, she said. aphrasing Ralph Waldo
Court Linda Pierce filed That was the biggest Emerson.
China SHAH lawsuits against the city
and its top leadership in
late 2014, contending that
challenge running against
him. Everybody said, But
John is such a nice guy. He
In November 2013,
Tompkins and Lt. Joan
Wynn did prevail in a
agrees What I was doing was Office employees who Mayor Teresa Tomlinson is a good and decent per- gender discrimination suit
(proposing) instead of resigned and challenged and Columbus Council son, he is a good daddy against Darr and the sher-
to return federal prison give this the boss at the ballot box. improperly created bud- and good husband. I have iffs office, claiming they
guy alternative, pay resti- Both ran as Democrats gets for their offices and never said he wasnt. were passed over for pro-
drone tution and community
service instead of incar-
and defeated two-term
incumbents running as
that they were insufficient
to carry out their obliga- A NEW SHERIFF IN
motion to captain for a
lesser qualified man. The
cerating him at federal independents. And they tions. Marshal Greg Coun- TOWN jury awared no damages,
expense. At the end of the were both long shots in tryman and Municipal As Tompkins prepares but Land took the extraor-
BY JANE PERLEZ day, you ask if I think that the beginning. Court Clerk Vivian for her new role, she has dinary move of ordering
AND MATTHEW ROSENBERG
played a part in this. Yes, It was a leap of faith, Creighton Bishop co-filed some advantages that Tompkins promoted to
New York Times
sir, I do. Tompkins said. a similar suit shortly after- Darr did not have eight captain.
BEIJING Tompkins argues that A jump that Darr under- ward. years ago. I dont know if Donna
The Pentagon said Sat- when Darr spoke on stood, all too well. Darr and Pierce were The most obvious dif- is better equipped, but I
urday that Beijing had Shahs behalf and later When I did it, there both defeated in re-elec- ference is Tompkins ob- do know the rank-and-file
agreed to return an under- tried to explain his deci- was nobody saying, I am tion bids, while Country- tained higher rank and employees in the sheriffs
water drone seized by sion in a memo to the going to do this for you, man and Bishop were had more experience in office are better equipped
China in international sheriffs office staff, he John, Darr said. No re-elected. the administrative and to handle it, Robertson
waters, an indication that was not thinking about the doubt, she took a leap of I did that for the em- political aspects of the said. Again, Ralph John-
the two countries were impact it would have on faith. You have to give up ployees of the office and office. Robertson has a son was the first incum-
moving to resolve an un- the department or the a lot to run and you risk citizens of Muscogee unique perspective in that bent sheriff who lost an
usual incident that risked community. a lot. When you have a County, but it was pointed he directly supervised election. At that time, it
sharpening tensions in the I say, You should have built-in support base, that straight at me, Darr said both Darr and Tompkins took the employees some
run-up to the inauguration thought that through a is a lot easier than going of the suit. ... Good gra- at various times in his time to get their sea legs.
of President-elect Donald little better, she said. into a race where you cious, how many people career. Some did and some didnt.
Trump. Then he came back and know you dont have to could you have working Sergeant, without a We have such a profes-
Through direct en- said, I had only seen the put a lot of stuff in place. against you? You had state doubt, is the most impor- sional group of men and
gagement with Chinese light in him and people are Darr had a lot of support Rep. Carolyn Hugley tant rank within any law women who work down
authorities, we have se- going to use this for politi- from within the sheriffs working like theres no enforcement agency, there that I think they will
cured an understanding cal reasons. I thought, office in 2008, but he also tomorrow to get me out of Robertson said. But as get beyond it. Donna has
that the Chinese will re- Everything else you might had political tailwinds this office. You had two you move up, the air gets the personality where she
turn the UUV to the Unit- could argue you might created by Barack Oba- sitting council members, thinner and the reason it will be able to talk to the
ed States, said Peter could argue about the mas historic bid for presi- Glenn David and Pops gets thinner is it is politi- naysayers and convince
Cook, the Pentagon press budget or you might could dent and community con- Barnes, sending out cal rather than practical. them to work with her to
secretary, using initials to argue about the lawsuit. cern about the way then- emails against me. The mindset, at that level, accomplish her goals in
refer to the Navys un- You cant argue this one. Sheriff Ralph Johnson had The email from Barnes is sometimes more impor- the sheriffs office.
manned underwater vehi- This was all you, all the handled the shooting supporting Tompkins tant than your skillset. Even Darr does not
cle. way. And you made this death of Kenneth Walker created one of the lighter Darr took the helm doubt Tompkins qual-
Cook said the deal had decision. in 2003 by a sheriffs moments in the campaign eight years ago without a ifications.
been reached after the Tompkins wasnt the deputy. for Darr. lot of high-level adminis- She has the experi-
United States registered only one to question When I first heard he I guess I am on Pops trative experience. That is ence, Darr said. ... You
our objection to Chinas Darrs judgment that day. was running, I didnt think email list because I got the difference, said Ralph never heard me say any-
unlawful seizure of a U.S. Randy Robertson, who he would have a chance, that one, he said. I sent Johnson, the former sher- thing bad about Donna. I
unmanned underwater retired as a major in the Robertson said of Darr. I him something back say- iff Darr ousted. never questioned her
vehicle operating in in- Sheriffs Office in October thought it would be in- ing I probably wont be She is well-educated qualifications. All I said is
ternational waters in the 2014, was a key member teresting, because there doing that. and she has worked in I think I am the better
South China Sea. of Darrs command staff was a certain segment of Darr is convinced that crucial areas such as law- person for the job.
Chinese authorities told for almost seven years. the community that would Mayor Teresa Tomlinson suits, a liaison with the Asked what she learned
U.S. officials that they My first reaction was I vote for anybody other was working against him, city and city attorney, from Darrs transition to
planned to return the was extremely disappoint- than the incumbent. The but doing it in a behind- internal affairs and a lot of sheriff eight years ago,
drone, but the two sides ed and glad I had retired, thing that helped John, the-scenes manner. administration work, Tompkins paused.
were still working out said Robertson, now the along with the people in This notion of Teresa Johnson said. She knows It is a really good ques-
where, when and precisely president of the Georgia the community that had Tomlinson as the all pow- policy and procedure. tion and I dont know if I
how the device would be Fraternal Order of Police an issue with Sheriff John- erful boogeyman is silly, Those are the things that have a great political an-
handed back, said two chapter. ... It broke my son, was there was a big Tomlinson said. It ig- will keep you out of a jam. swer for you, she said.
Defense Department offi- heart that he did that. Democratic push to elect nores the voters very real There is no question she is What I learned person-
cials, who talked about the Robertson said his reac- Barack Obama. He rode concern over the litigation more prepared for this ally from it was that most
negotiations with China tion was not unique in the that wave. and the Shah issue. Frank- than John was. people have a house pay-
only on the condition of law enforcement commu- If Darr rode a wave to ly, thats the same type of Tompkins has under- ment, they have children,
anonymity. One of the nity and he expressed his the office, Tompkins misdirected thought pro- graduate and graduate they have a car payment.
officials said the Pentagon concerns to Darr at the stayed afloat in the chop- cess that got us in to the degrees from Columbus Their life goes on. It is like
expected the matter to be time. piest of waters. Darr aban- litigation in the first place. State University, a level of all of these people who
resolved in the coming As a law enforcement doned his Democratic That conversation was formal education Darr said, If Donald Trump
days without further acri- officer with the micro- roots and declared as an always about limited reve- does not hold. wins I am leaving the
mony. scope that law enforce- independent. Two black nue and budget mainte- But Tompkins agrees country. Yeah, you are
The Pentagon statement ment throughout this Democrats former sher- nance. that her administrative still here. It is sort of the
came hours after China country is being placed iffs office employee Pam Sheriff Darr only heard experience will be impor- same thing with the sher-
warned that the highly under, I could never quite Brown and Muscogee the discussion as political tant as she moves into the iffs race. I think that most
charged episode would understand why a law County District Attorneys maneuvering and a threat office on Jan. 3. of these people will be
not be resolved easily. enforcement officer would Office investigator Robert to his power. That mis- I have an advantage loyal to whoever is sitting
In its own statement, stand up for someone who Smith entered the race direction resulted in a sad over John because I have in the seat.
the Chinese Defense Min- had been thoroughly in- against Tompkins. waste of time and re- 30 years of experience That is what I expect
istry said it was in talks vestigated, tried and con- Brown, who came less sources. and I went to the rank of most people will do
with the United States but victed by the criminal than 100 votes from Darr should not have captain, she said. I have maybe not all, but most,
criticized Washington for justice system, Robertson upending Darr in the 2012 been surprised that he dealt with the city on especially in the lower
what it called an inappro- said. To go in there and Democratic primary, and received opposition, many issues. I have a lot ranks.
priate exaggeration of say that this individual Smith were both disqual- Tompkins said. of experience with person- But Tompkins, who was
the dispute. The American was a good person or good ified by the elections The idea that the may- nel that he didnt have. It hired by Sheriff Gene
reaction, it said, is not community leader flew in board for paperwork is- or, the city manager and is about putting together a Hodge and worked under
conducive to solving the the face of everything that sues in qualifying. Those most of the city council good team that is going to Johnson and Darr, makes
problem smoothly. I held as important with disqualifications were members would be willing help me do the things we it clear: it will be her office
We hereby express my personal idea of my upheld in Superior Court. to come out and be sup- have to do. and she will assert her
regrets for that, the min- character. That left Tompkins portive of someone who Darr downplays his lack authority to run it in the
istry said. It said the Those inside the law alone in the May Demo- had not sued them person- of experience eight years manner she deems best.
drone, which Chinese and enforcement community cratic primary, though ally, was not involved in a ago. This is going to sound
U.S. analysts say was most were the ones with the Browns name was on the lawsuit that has cost the I think you either know a little harsh, but get on
likely used to gather in- deepest feelings about the ballot because it was print- city almost $3 million, and the operations of the sher- my boat and paddle my
telligence about Chinese Shah situation, Tompkins ed before the disqual- was well qualified for the iffs office or you dont, boat or get off my boat,
submarine activity in con- said. ification cleared the job should not have he said. I worked every- she said. Its my boat. I
tested waters, would be They get it more than courts. Though it was a shocked him, she said. where you could work. will certainly give you the
returned to the United the average citizen gets moot point, Brown got To think that they would Tompkins also has an- opportunity, for the most
States in a proper way. it, Tompkins said. If you more votes than Tomp- not want to support that other advantage. She saw part, to get on and paddle
Trump entered the fray are not an insider, it just kins. person. Of course they the personnel issues that my boat. That is harsh, but
Saturday morning, accus- looks like he went out and I get it, Tompkins would. developed in the depart- it is true.
ing China of acting impro- supported a friend. But said of that primary vote. Tompkins thinks she ment as the result of Darr
perly. those of us who were I think a lot of people in was also helped by man- unseating Johnson. Tomp- Chuck Williams:
China steals United closer when you realize the community think that agement issues inside the kins and Maj. Terri Ezell 706-571-8510,
States Navy research this was one of the Top 10 Pam had come so very sheriffs office. sued Darr in federal court, @chuckwilliams
drone in international cases worked by the IRS, close last time and they I dont know who he claiming he retaliated
waters rips it out of wa- when you realize the Co- really wanted to show was listening to, she said. against them for support-
ter and takes it to China in lumbus Police Department their support for her. If It was bad, and when ing Johnson politically in
unprecedented act, he worked a case on Sonny you think about it, I look Randy Robertson left it 2008. That suit was ulti-
said on Twitter. Shah for two years prior to at it as divine providence. got really bad. As dys- mately dismissed by Land
The overseas edition of this, when you realize that I shouldnt be here, but I functional as it already in June 2013.
The Peoples Daily, the the FBI, IRS and name am still here. And I believe was, when he left it really The judge set the tone
Communist Partys flag-
ship newspaper, said on its
social media account Sat-
another lettered agency
had some hand in this
case then for the chief
there was a reason for
that. It confirmed for me I
was on the right path.
became dysfunctional.
Still, running against
Darr presented a great
for his June ruling against
Ezell and Tompkins with
the opening words: If you
Social Security
urday night that the Chi-
nese capture of the drone
law enforcement officer of
this county to get on the
That set up the the No-
vember General Election
challenge, Tompkins said.
He is a very nice peo-
shoot at a king, you must
kill him. Land was par-
Disability Denied?
was legal because rules stand and say, Hes a nice in which Republican Mark
about drone activities had guy; he probably doesnt LaJoye joined Darr and Call Ed Tante
not been clearly written.
This is the gray area,
need to go to jail ... .
Asked if the defense of
Tompkins on the ballot.
Brown also ran a write-in It matters Disability Claimants
Attorney
the newspaper said. If
the U.S. military can send
the drone, surely China
Shah played a role in the
outcome of the race, Ro-
bertson was clear.
campaign that garnered
about 3 percent of the
vote. Tompkins was the
who you see. NO FEE
UNLESS YOU GET
See better and look better with eyelid surgery.
can seize it. If we are looking at leading vote-getter but
In its statement, the 400 votes, and we are, I failed to get more than 50
BENEFITS
Defense Ministry scolded have no doubt it did, he percent of the vote, setting
the United States over what said. up a runoff with Darr, who Sterling L. Cannon, MD Over 30 Years
Experience
it called its long-standing finished second well Oculoplastic Surgery (Cosmetic and Reconstructive) Eyelid Surgery
practice of conducting SIMILAR PATHS, SAME ahead of LaJoye and
close-in reconnaissance OUTCOME Brown.
Endoscopic Brow Lift BOTOX FREE CONSULTATION
and military surveys in If you look at the road It was during the runoff,
waters near China. Darr took to the office in just four weeks after the
706-324-6465
The Pentagon formally 2008 and the one Tomp- General Election, that the Powell & Tante
protested the capture of kins took this year, there public focus shifted to Attorneys at Law
the drone, saying it was are several parallels. The Darrs ongoing lawsuit 619 Broadway
stolen U.S. military prop- most obvious is they were with the city over the Were Local, We
erty. both longtime Sheriffs funding of his office. Darr 706-507-7527 2616 Warm Springs Rd. Columbus, GA Know your Doctors!

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