Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Forget About the Presidential Race, Florence County Sheriff Is the One to Watch !!


It's Official, Kenney Boone Will Run as a Republican, and he's got soem weighty friends. Bobby Harrell, Hugh Leatherman, Dean Fowler, Kris Crawford, and Jennie O'Bryan were all there.
Welcome to the GOP, Kenney - what took you so long??!! Yep, like I said two days ago (and 1 day before the Morning News), Sheriff Boone will run for re-election with the GOP. Now the fun begins....
I talked to a few people about the reasons for his switch, aside from the fact he really is a Republican. The replies I got lead me to think that the race in 2008 for Sheriff could be a messy one. Boone replaced Jimmy Gregg when Gregg retired. From there, it gets interesting. Word is that Boone was supposed to do whatever Gregg told him to - who to keep, who to retire, and how to do business. In short, Boone was supposed to be Jimmy Gregg's puppet.
Of course, no Sheriff worth his 9MM is going to be a puppet, and neither was Boone. That created a rift between the two, and so Gregg is likely to want his job back. Boone coule have faced him in the Primary, but it would be easier to not have a primary and general election, so hence, the return home. Sheriff Gregg thought it was easy to get Boone in the seat, but it's going to be twice as hard to get him out, because Kenney Boone has done a great job updating Florence into top-flight Sheriffs Dept.
That of course, is no guarantee he'll win, but it's going to be one helluva race. Old Sheriff vs. Current Sheriff, Old Blood vs. New Blood, Sensei vs. Pupil - hoo rah !! My money is on Boone - Gregg's oldtime backroom politicking style is long gone. He's younger, smarter, and he's got a ton of clout behind him. It'll be a great one. Everyone loves voting for Sheriff - it's the local tough guy with the Gun, fighting the bad guys. President is nice, but Sheriff is the sexy race............
.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

the tea leaves have it boone will win reelection next year I believe right

Anonymous said...

JG brought FCSO from horse & buggy department into 21st century...Kenny has been in office less than 3 years and has only coat-tailed on JG's accomplishments so far. He chose Dem in 2004 because he knew that was party to win in despite his wanting to be a Rep. He is choosing Rep now only because he will face BIG challenge in 2008. Strictly political? I only hopes he treats the hard working employees fairly, and not employ Nazi-like tactics (if you're not for me, you're against me) with this election looming.

Anonymous said...

Mike, if FCSD is still using 9mm, they might still be in 20th Century. .40 auto seems the standard, except for City of Charleston, .45ACP.

Thoroughbred 401k said...

I might be incorrect with the pistols - guns are not my forte. I know they are automatics.


I talked to Kenney about the pro/cons about running even before he won in 2004, and I won't argue about the political expediency of running then. It will be hard run, but the only ones complaining seem to be the Oldtimers.

Anonymous said...

you really should had been in front of the camera man

Anonymous said...

Al Cannon did the same turnaround in Charleston, jumping from Dem to Rep, after consolidating the Sheriff's office with the separate county PD.

Anonymous said...

Doesn't Kenney know that a Democrat (in the true sense) will certainly vote straight party ticket? What Democrat in Florence County is gonna give him a vote when they are voting for Hillary and ______ (Bill)? Republicans know how to cast a split vote...and will in order to vote for the best man for the job. Kenney is certainly that man. You are right, this is going to be very interesting. Wish Kenney had truly spoken to his (old) friends before making the change. Will Hugh Leatherman offer him a job if he is defeated (Heaven forbid)?

Anonymous said...

JG may have brought the department into the 21st century, but it's easy to buy a car and retire the horse and buggy. And Kenney Boone has in no way 'coat-tailed,' more like 'grabbed the bull by the horns.'

Boone takes his job to heart and cracks down on crime rather than catering to his 'public image' and which constituents get pissed off because someone's relative was arrested. The job of sheriff is about keeping the citizens safe, not a minority of them happy.

And lets not forget Boone's concern for his officer's safety vs. Gregg's concern for how the public perceives his officers. Does it make sense that JG forbade his officers to carry batons and shotguns because the public perceived them as looking "too scary"? Or when JG refused to call out helicopters to search for a double-homicide suspect (Jack Joe Kennedy) because the helicopter might wake people up and he'd get complaints...That double homicide suspect shot and killed a FCSO Deputy, Joey Rodgers, the next day. But, at least no one called JG to complain that their sleep was interrupted, that was what was important to Gregg...

JG didnt want officers writing speeding tickets to his friends because they called and complained...

Dont believe me? Ask any deputy who has worked for both sheriffs.

"Sheriff" is a political office but at some point you have to BE a sheriff rather than trying to kiss a$$ like a certain former sheriff...

Anonymous said...

That statement was true. Greg also told his deputies quote "if you are think for one minute that you will write a speeding ticket then go to the highway patrol, because you will not have a job with me. Also if you cant wave to someone that you pass on the road, then you are not good enough to work for me, and you will not arrest for DUI, if you find someone intoxicated then find them a safe way home". KG is a good sheriff and cares for his community. He doesnt tolerate wild or wreckless deputies, but he does want his deputies to pro active with a care for the community. Since KG has been in office the crime rates have gone down and continue to fall.

Anonymous said...

I have to say that Jimmy Gregg is a bad example of a Sheriff. It's so true that he told his deputies "if you are think for one minute that you will write a speeding ticket then go to the highway patrol, because you will not have a job with me. Also if you cant wave to someone that you pass on the road, then you are not good enough to work for me, and you will not arrest for DUI, if you find someone intoxicated then find them a safe way home". Also why don't you ask the SURVIVORS of Fallen Officers in the department what Jimmy Gregg has done for them. He wasn't even seen at the hospital and finally showed his face the day of the funeral when Joey Rodgers was killed. He made his affair to the woman he is married to now very public and his wife was ill, and eventually died. That is just a person with no morals. Kenny Boone is a much better Sheriff and should be the one to lead Florence County Sheriff's Department.

Anonymous said...

JG was seen verbally threatening and assaulting an off duty Deputy at the Red Wolves Game a week ago. JG, with beer in hand, informed the deputy that he would be fired for supporting Kenny when JG got re-elected. The Red Wolves security guard had to stop the confrontation. JG should have been arrested for assault, but you did not see anything about it in the news.
JG is past his usefullness and needs to go back to the golf course where he spent most of his time.
His wife is calling most of the shots anyway.

Thoroughbred 401k said...

That is sad.. From what I've heard since returning is that Kenney is pulling ahead by a comfortable margin, and maybe Gregg is feeling the walls close in on him.

i don't know a ton about Gregg, but I've known Kenney for 5 years now, and he's always been a good sheriff in my book.

Anonymous said...

im soooo glad we finally have a sheriff that treats everyone the same and not let others use them as hip pocket...GO KENNEY!!!!

LES said...

I just heard about this sight and I am going to let everyone know about it. My family and I are huge Kenney supporters and I hope that this will encourage people to vote for the Great Sheriff that Kenney is!

Thoroughbred 401k said...

Thanks Les. As much as I like my four buds that always post comments, it's nice to get a few new readers...

Anonymous said...

JG has been a long time family friend. He and his first (and only real) wife, were good friends with my parents. He "personally" endorsed KB sitting around my family's table. I don't think it is fair to try and change the minds of the voters by saying bad things about JG, though most are true, it is still not fair. The right thing to do, is to look at KB's track record as Sheriff. He is and I hope he will continue to run the Florence County Sheriff's Office with a pride and dignity of a man who cares about the people of Florence County and about keeping them safe. KB stands for what is right and what is fair. KB is a compassionate man, and he will HELP people as much as he can. Help being the key word. He doesn't give everyone he knows a "get out of jail free" card. JG got many people out of DUI charges, because they happened to be his 'buddy's' children, or better yet his buddy. Kenney Boone is THE FLORENCE COUNTY SHERIFF. There should be no doubt in anyones mind who to vote for in November. Just look at the crime rate statistics of Kenney Boone. He is doing the job. While Jimmy Gregg is not a bad man...He was not a good sheriff. As the sign says..."KENNEY BOONE...A GOOD MAN...A GREAT SHERIFF"!!!

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with you on what you said, anonymous. My family also supported Jimmy Gregg when he was running and elected Sheriff and we were also approached when he endorsed Kenney. Saying this reminds me of how much heat JG got when the boys were killed on Cato Rd in the nineties. My family stood by him in those hard times. I still just cannot believe how he has come back AGAINST Kenney. I think it is such a shame, but it is the game of politics. Anyone can say anything and do exactly the opposite. I personally feel like Kenney is better at the job than JG. I am older now and have more knowledge of how things are in the "real" world. I now know what it is like to have a family of my own. I feel like I am safer knowing the deputies are out there patrolling, instead of sitting under a water tower taking a nap, waiting on a call to come across the radio. May God keep those men and women safe as they are out there RUNNING RADAR, WORKING THE INTERSTATES,RESEARCHING TAGS AND DOING JUMPOUTS IN TROUBLED NEIGHBORHOODS. Oh and don't let me forget the MEN who take care of the K9 UNITS. It is this kind of law enforcement that makes me feel safer. I know that it is not a perfect world and that Kenney cannot stand post on my front porch, but I feel better knowing that there is a PROACTIVE SHERIFF keeping our county safer!!!
LES

Anonymous said...

Jimmy Gregg did get a lot of heat for the boys being killed on Cato Road and rightfully so, but we are also forgetting about the three deaths on Alligator Road, including one of his most liked Deputies. The guy who killed Joey Rodgers was in those woods for days after killing two people and Jimmy had the opportunity to ask SLED for help, but instead turned their help down. SLED could have used dogs to bring that man out and probably saved the life of a good man. Not only did Jimmy Gregg not answer for why he didn't take every measure possible to save lives, but he still won't answer that question. When people have gone to him to get answers they were threatened. The difference in Jimmy Gregg and Sheriff Boone is Jimmy is a Politician and Kenney is a Law Enforcement Officer. Jimmy Gregg showed NO REMORSE for what happened to Joey and hardly wanted to even honor him. Thank goodness we have Kenney who continues to hold services and memorials to honor his fallen heroes. I used to think Jimmy Gregg was a good man but over the years his true colors have emerged. I just wish Kenney Boone would have been Sheriff in 1997, and things might have been different.

Anonymous said...

I think we can all agree Jimmy Gregg doesn't have any morals. He displayed this when he was flaunting his Mistress at the Joey Rodgers Memorial Golf Tournament before his wife passed, I think that told everyone what kind of person he was. Now that mistress is his wife. Speaking of his new wife, how is Jimmy Gregg going to explain why she assaulted a Probation Officer recently at the City County Complex. There is even a Police Report Filed but they have tried to keep it Hush Hush. Allegedly the Probation Officer stated his opinion about why he does not have a Jimmy Gregg bumper sticker and it was said that Mrs. Gregg basically slapped him. Now in my opinion, I don't want a Sheriff in Office who's wife has that little respect for law enforcement. It's sounds all too familiar as the posts above where Jimmy Gregg was yelling at a Off-Duty Deputy Recently. People need to know this stuff b/c it's certainly not fair that's it's not being released to the Public. It just goes to show what a Decent Person Kenney Boone is b/c any other person running against Jimmy Gregg would have this all over the television, but it seems to me that Sheriff Boone wants to win based on what he has done in Office thus far. Jimmy Gregg can't argue with the facts.

Anonymous said...

I can't say I've worked for JG but for the last 3 1/2 years I've worked for Sheriff Boone. I did however come from a difficult country (Williamsburg). I do know JG track record. Let’s not forget the last year he was in office he barely came to work, he was more concerned with buying property. Sheriff Boone is a sheriff that cares about his employees. Every time he sees one of his employees regardless of where he's at he will walk over shake your hand and ask you how you’re doing and if he can do anything for you. That my friends is a true leader. We honestly are getting to be a top notch sheriff's dept. Sheriff Boone encourages us to be proactive. If I want to patrol N East Florence looking for drugs, or I want to patrol West Florence neighborhoods looking for vandals I can. Sheriff Boone allows us to work as individuals apart of a squad and a squad apart of a Division. We have our chain of command but honestly the guys I work with are highly trained and we are equipped with tools and resources to deal with almost any situation. JG back in office we'll go back to being a re-active Sheriff's Dept. We’ll become property check deputies that sit back in a cut waiting for a call. For example I was patrolling a few weeks ago in West Florence, just riding through neighborhoods about 2am. I saw a guy walking down the street. I thought it weird for a guy to be walking down the street at 2am in the middle of the week. I got out with him, anyway long story short he had 2 grams of cocaine on him. With a reactive sheriffs dept you will never see stats like this. Matter of fact with JG in office I'd probably be on admin leave. I think I've shared my opinion; we greatly appreciate your support for our Sheriff. GO TEAM BOONE!!

Thoroughbred 401k said...

Thanks Anon 2:26 (like it's a Bible Chapter!)... As nice as it is to get comments from others, to get an inside the Dept. opinion is especially great.


Guess this post is making the rounds in the county.. Glad I could help, and thanks for your service to the citizens of Florence. I know we don't pay you guys enough, but you don't do it for the money anyway, right? ;)

Anonymous said...

I am a previous employer who worked for JG for many years and supported him until I see what Kenney Boone has done for this county. GREAT JOB KENNEY!

I left the Sheriffs Office due to JG's "ignorance" when he was still in office and really loved my job. He hired some woman...I would say..."Off the street" to work in the same office and made her "Office Mgr" and did not know a thing about her, but thought she knew so much to "handle" things. That was one of his fav words. "Go ahead and handle it." He was too busy doing other things! (Real Estate) But anyway...I had my suspicions about her as months passed and I went to JG several times and told him that she was doing something very suspicious and he would always tell me to "DO MY JOB AND NOT WORRY ABOUT EVERYBODY ELSE." Well to make a long story short, this woman was arrested for embezellment shortly after I left (due to stress) and she only got a "SLAP" on the hand. Sometimes we do need to make it a point to worry about what is going on around us, because he sure didn't care! I wonder if he helped her get out of that one and that's why she didn't get any time?

DO WE NEED JG BACK IN OFFICE? NO!!!

Kenney Boone deserves to be Sheriff, A GOOD MAN, A GREAT SHERIFF!!!

Anonymous said...

If your so called good sheriff was fair to his employees why have he only promoted one black officer since he has been elected. Why are the seasoned officer passed over at promotion time? Why did the number of black road deputies fell to an all time low under his adminstration? At least when JG was sheriff he kept the playing field even. How can KB be such a great sheriff when he was investigator he did solve a case but now he can get on TV pretend be such a great sheriff? You'll talk about what a wonderful job he has done but the true be known alot of the teams that he is receiving credit for was established under JG leadership. And how can you make a nothing into something.The people who suppose to have his back are out for themselves.

Anonymous said...

Kenney Boone is a GOOD Sheriff and it's like a Jimmy Gregg fan to try and play the race card. That's just low b/c Kenney has the Support of the African American population b/c I am friends with the those African American deputies. Tell Jimmy to have a debate with Kenney!!!! Let the Citizens of Florence County ask questions to Jimmy that doesn't take him a week to think of an answer. Maybe if Jimmy can find his way out of the bar long enough we would all be entitled to hearing what he has to say. I also want to know when he is going to address his wife's little incident at the City County Complex? When is he going to address the mistake he made that cost a deputy his life? When is he going to address why he treats his former supporters badly b/c they have stuck with Boone? Jimmy is running for Re-Election again b/c his wife wants to be Sheriff not him!!!! Again, I ask the Jimmy Gregg fan why want your Sheriff accept the invitation to a DEBATE????? WE NOW HAVE A SHERIFF WHO WANTS TO FIGHT CRIME AND NOT USE THE GAS MONEY OF TAX PAYERS TO GO OUT AND LOOK FOR LAND TO BUY! Jimmy won't even allow his deputies to write tickets to someone b/c it might be a VOTER. He also stood up for a Person accused of being involved with DRUGS! In the years that Jimmy Gregg was Sheriff you tell me one HUGE thing he did for law enforcement, and make it a good one. I'll give you guys a week to come up with the answer. I'm voting for Boone b/c I want my children to grow up in a County that I can trust is going to be safe. This is not a Black and White Issue, It's not a Republican or Democrat Issue, instead it's a pure choice I made by looking at the facts. Jimmy Gregg was more concerned about having an affair when he was in office than keeping our citizens safe. Don't you like how the Earlier Post doesn't even deny any of Jimmy's wrong doing??? All the person can do is try and place the Race Card. Let me assure you the African American Voters in Florence County are not stupid and it seems they are all Voting For KENNEY BOONE!!!!

Anonymous said...

To address what the Jimmy Gregg Supporter said in a previous post about Sheriff Boone not promoting African Americans. I would like to note that during Sheriff Kenney Boone's Administration the First Female was promoted to Captain on the COMMAND STAFF and she is not only a woman but she is African American. I am pointing this out because it seems Jimmy Gregg's Supporters speak before getting their facts straight.

Also, I would like to address how during the Years while Jimmy Gregg was Sheriff he only entered Federal Court ONCE and that was to testify as a Character Witness on behalf of a Major Drug Dealer in Lake City. If I'm not mistaken, the Sheriff is supposed to be against Drug Dealers not Supporting them in court. However, Jimmy Gregg might have only entered Federal Court Once in his Administration but under Kenney Boone's watch his deputies and investigators spend just as much time in Federal Court as they do State Court. This is because Sheriff Boone is all about Fighting Crime on EVERY LEVEL.

Anonymous said...

Let talk about the wife situation, where is the wife of this great sheriff you talk about? Yes it is about race, you only talked about only one black being promoted, are any other black out there that are quailified to be promoted. Look at the number of black compared to the number of white are being arrested. Why don't your deputies harass the white community the same way the harass the black community.Where was your sheriff when the debate was a poyner school a couple months ago. And did he show up for the debate that was held at the Cross and Crown church. It seems to me that KB is the one afraid to debate JG. and as far as the incident that took place involving his wife, you need to ask the dummy did to her.

Anonymous said...

I am so sick of everybody talking about how great KB is. Who is he great to, it surely was not his family whom he lost right after the election. The way I understand things, KB got rid of all of his biggest threats as soon as he took office. I guess since he could no longer run things at home, he had to take it to the office. He only has a few token Blacks on staff and that is only to try to keep people quiet. And what has KB done for the Black community, he makes sure that the other communities are well taken care of. I would like to know why does a Sheriff have to pay people to let them post his signs in their yard, no one wants the signs there, but they are willing to take his money. I must agree that JG did create a MONSTER! And at least JG's wife is still with him and giving the moral support that a wife should give. Do please don't continue to diss JG he is the one for Sheriff of Florence County. You all need to stop being punks and stand do tlhe right thing, put a Great Man, JG back in office! Now, how you like them apples, as the good ole boys would say!

Anonymous said...

Yeah your right, when KB took office he got rid of the "lazy" people. To the "blacks" at the sheriffs dept. You can't hire people that don't apply. I love how people are stooping to new lows with attack KB's family which has nothing to do with the Sheriff's position. I knew JG was despirate but come on. Oh and JG's wife, you mean the current one which is the result of an affair. Before you stand on your soap box get your facts right. A great man JG is..yeah. Like recently putting election signs up illegally 3 days before the state legislated you could post election signs. Of course it was a holiday and codes enforcement was off so nothing was done. Or maybe the time he assaulted the off duty deputy at a ball game. Since you want to bring the wives in the mix what about the incident with the probation officer at the Complex in florence. Wow, supporting and voting for JG shows what kind of person you are. Shows you don't support what's right in the world. It also shows what kind of man KB is with all this at his disgretion you won't hear a word of it from his mouth. When KB could have stayed even in the primaries and beaten the crap out of JG he didn't, he switched parties to allow a run for the position. Shows you what kind of man KB is. GO TEAM BOONE!!

Anonymous said...

This is a reply to Anonymous Poster at 8:10

You state that at least Jimmy Gregg's wife is standing by him, are you kidding me? Jimmy Gregg's wife is no moral character. Everyone in Florence knows what she is all about. Kenney Boone and his wife might have divorced but they are stll dear friends, and continue to raise their children in a loving homes. Mary Ann Gregg would stand by any man with enough money to make her Car Payment. Get your facts straight about this woman, and while your at it go and ask Jimmy's old friends if they agree with Jimmy marrying this woman. People are bringing Jimmy's wife into the mix b/c she has made in perfectly clear she is going to have a BIG SAY in his actions. The fact that she slapped a Probation Officer shows everyone what kind of woman she is.

Anonymous said...

Why has Jimmy Gregg posted signs to RE-ELECT when is not the Sheriff elect? I don't care who ya'll vote far, at the least it's misleading, at worst it's a damn lie. I belive the latter.

Anonymous said...

anonymous 2:11. It's unfortunate he can do that but because he has been sheriff before he technically can use the "RE-ELECT". It's mis leading, but for someone who is desperate it seems like a good idea.

Anonymous said...

What about LAKE CITY while JG was sheriff??? Whoaaaa, lots of illegal stuff went down there. Can we say CORRUPT? Hopefully, this will be made public BEFORE the election!

LES said...

I just read the news article on scnow.com, it makes me sick to my stomach to see how much JG thinks that he needs to be sheriff again. How does he think that being coroner for 12 years makes him qualified, also, did he graduate from the methodist college? Did he go to school for criminal justice like KB did? I think JG or his wife is on a power
kick, someone needs to let him know that KB is the man for the job. Does JG know what a statistic is? I want someone to tell me how many drunks he took off of the road, I want to know how many drug busts he did, I want to know why the corruption happened in Lake City and I want to know why a deputy was shot and killed while he was SUPPOSED to be Sheriff of Florence County. Please someone out there give me this information, right now I know numbers and that is why I am voting for KENNEY BOONE!