"Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.

One died for your soul; the other for your freedom."

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/clayton/0605/16hill.html

Clayton asked to employ 34 suing sheriff

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/16/05

The attorney for 34 employees alleging discrimination by Sheriff Victor Hill asked Clayton County officials Wednesday to put the workers in other positions to stave off harassment by Hill.

In a letter to Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell, attorney Harlan Miller said Hill continues to retaliate against the workers.

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"Specifically, it is requested that the Board of Commissioners agree that each of the 34 Plaintiffs resign their employment in the Sheriff's Office, to be immediately installed in other positions — with no loss of pay, benefits, seniority, or otherwise — until such time as Hill can be restrained from further illegal acts," Miller said in his letter.

One of Miller's four allegations in the letter was that Hill intentionally undermined three senior officers Tuesday — captains Mike Collins and Angelo Daniel, along with Lt. Deeann Cash — by ordering them to accompany him around the Clayton County Jail, "belittling them and berating them in the presence of subordinate officers and jail inmates," Miller said.

Bell said Wednesday he was awaiting a recommendation from county attorneys.

Since January, Hill has consistently denied the employees' retaliation allegations.

Hill shrugged off Miller's letter, but said he's considering a slander suit against Miller.

"As usual Harlan Miller is using propaganda, and we are ignoring it and working on the business of the Sheriff's Office," he said in a statement released by his public information officer, Sonna Singleton.

Hill fired 27 employees during his reorganization of the Sheriff's Office. But a judge ruled they are civil service-protected employees and can't be fired at will.

Hill is appealing that decision.

The employees, mostly deputies and high-ranking personnel, worked under former Sheriff Stanley Tuggle who Hill defeated in last summer's election.

The 27 workers, along with seven additional Sheriff's Office employees, filed a federal suit against Hill, alleging racial, gender, age and political discrimination.

In the months since Hill reinstated the workers, Miller and the employees said Hill has retaliated against them by berating them, placing them in hazardous jobs and demoting them.

The two sides agreed to a consent order in which Hill would keep the "status quo" in the department, keep the workers in their current jobs but would seek a judge's permission to make upper-level personnel changes while the discrimination case progresses.

Hill filed a motion June 10 saying he no longer wanted to be part of that consent order.

Wednesday, Miller pleaded for Bell to intervene.

"He's continuing unabashed in trying to get these employees to quit," Miller said. "Hill's misconduct over there has gotten to the point that my clients can't take it anymore."

Although Bell has opposed Hill's actions, the chairman will consider the fact that the county is a defendant in the discrimination suit because the Sheriff's Office is part of county government.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/clayton/0805/18plaque.html

Clayton sheriff swats again
Moved plaques heats up feud

By KATHY JEFCOATS, ADD SEYMOUR JR.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/18/05

He calls it redecorating.

Others call it political spitefulness.

JOHNNY CRAWFORD/AJC (ENLARGE)
Holes in the wall of Clayton County's Banke Justice Center mark the former site of one of the plaques Sheriff Victor Hill removed.

Whatever it is, another chapter has begun in the ongoing feud between Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill and the Clayton County Commission, particularly Chairman Eldrin Bell.

Hill and commissioners have been at odds since Hill took office this year.

They've sparred over a host of issues, including Hill's firing of veteran deputies, the commission's removal of a drug unit from the sheriff's supervision and the sheriff's budget requests.

The latest issue involves Hill's decision to remove plaques marking the dedication of the Harold E. Banke Justice Center, which houses the courthouse, jail and Sheriff's Office.

One of the plaques was at the employee entrance of the jail, and its removal started the buzz that reached commissioners.

Besides the architect and general contractor, the largest and most visible plaque includes the names of the county commissioners at the time, then-Chairman Crandle Bray and former Sheriff Stanley Tuggle.

The plaques are now in the basement of the Banke building, leaning against a wall in a mechanical room.

"I took them down to put them on my Wall of Recognition and Wall of Honor," said Hill.

Asked if he thought the action could be perceived as spiteful, Hill asked, "Why would anyone think that?" Reminded of his public disdain for former Sheriff Stanley Tuggle and the county commissioners — especially Bell — Hill said his actions were not politically motivated. He said he does not know when the plaques will be replaced.

But Hill said Bell can come get them if he wants. "If he doesn't like me moving the plaques, he can pay for an interior decorator to come over here and move them," Hill said.

The Wall of Recognition and Wall of Honor are side by side in the hallway of the second floor of the Banke Justice center, between the jail area and the Sheriff's Office. They are painted blue, in contrast to the stark white walls around them, and are empty now, but Hill says he plans to hang items of importance to the Sheriff's Office.

"I don't have a projected time and don't feel obligated to give them one," Hill said. "The plaques will be up there when I complete my wall."

Bell and other commissioners want the plaques returned now.

"I've directed my attorneys to send him a letter directing him to re-post the county's property. We're asking where it is and what have you done with it," said Chairman Bell.

Other commissioners are not as reticent.

"Why would he want to do that? Eldrin's name was not on it," said Commissioner Carl Rhodenizer.

Crandle Bray, who was chairman when the center was built, said he is disappointed.

"They ought to be able to get along. Everybody's got all these egos. It's destroying the county," Bray said.

Do you listen to yourself when you talk; or do you just fade in and out?

"Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.

One died for your soul; the other for your freedom."

And if you find a job where there are mountains and good hunting, get me a job too....

Do you listen to yourself when you talk; or do you just fade in and out?

Do you listen to yourself when you talk; or do you just fade in and out?

OIF 09-10, 1st Cavalry Division