by John Bailes, Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman
posted July 18, 2008
Corruption and poor judgment continue to surround Republican sheriff nominee Jim Hammond.
In today's Chattanooga Times Free Press, Hammond insists he will continue to associate himself with a convicted felon and corrupt cop despite calls to end his relationship with Lonnie Hood. As a deputy sheriff, Hood was found guilty of selling steroids in the county jail, hiding nearly $1 million in illegal income in the 1990s. Hammond insists that he wants Hood to stay with him in the sheriff's race.
This lack of professional and ethical judgment alone makes Jim Hammond unqualified to be our next sheriff. Hamilton County voters do not want to return to the days of corruption, dishonesty, and incompetence.
On the other hand, Democratic sheriff nominee Greg Beck will not let us down. Beck says he "would return any contributions from someone he knew was a felon." That's the kind of sheriff we need, one who can truly deliver honesty, integrity, and good judgment.
John Bailes
* * *
My mama always told me that we are known throughout life by the people, friends and associates around us. If we choose to keep people of questionable character around us, our character too becomes questionable. In other words we are known by the company we keep.
To put it another way, my dad summed it up like this, Birds of a feather flock together. Looks to me like Jim Hammond has have been flying with a pretty questionable flock.
Phillip J Millard
Chattanooga
pjmillard5324@aol.com
* * *
In October, 1994, then Sheriff John Cupp, concerned about corruption in the Hamilton County Jail, ask the FBI to investigate. As a result of that investigation, it was found that one individual, over the course of several years, ran a thriving criminal enterprise by selling steroids, cigarettes, and other contraban, to jail inmates. That individual was Mr. Lonnie Hood, the same Lonnie Hood, who is assisting Mr. Jim Hammond in his bid to be the next sheriff of Hamilton County.
The ironic factor in Mr. Hood's support of Mr. Hammond is that the crimes committed by Mr. Hood took place while he served under then Chief Deputy Jim Hammond.
We are recovering from the criminal actions of our former sheriff. As taxpayers, can we expect more of the same in the future. I hope not. I hope those of us who vote take a long, hard look at the candidates seeking to be our next sheriff and choose one who is not associating with known felons.
J.L. Roan
Collegedale
* * *
Let's see...ran for sheriff twice and was turned down...tried to be chief of police and was turned down...left the country for several years hoping that Chattanoogans would forget all this...now proudly associates with known and convicted felons...and is running for sheriff again.
And, sadly, because of huge amounts of money buying immense amounts of media, he might just get elected this time.
Folks, we have several decent and honorable people vying for the post of sheriff of Hamilton County this year.
For several good reasons, not the least of which is his integrity, my choice is Mr. Jim Winters.
But please cast your valuable vote for Anyone But Hammond.
Jim Stevens
* * *
I'm a conservative, registered Republican, but I just can't bring myself to vote for Jim Hammond. I think he has too many skeletons in his
closet.
I can't vote for a Democrat so I don't know yet who I will vote for, but I will vote. I just hope everyone who votes will think about who they are voting for, and if there is any doubt in your mind that the candidate is not worthy of the office for goodness sake don't vote for him. Find another.
I realize we don't have a good selection this go around, but just search the background and vote for the best of the bunch. Who knows maybe Curtis will decide he would make a good sheriff. I guess he knows as much about law enforcement as he does managing a city.
Ken Bowman
* * *
Concerning John Bailes opinion piece Corruption And Poor Judgment Surround Jim Hammonds: As a pastor and a long-time friend of Jim Hammonds I have made it my business to examine and challenge Jim's personal and political choices. I have experienced Jim Hammonds as a man who both welcomes and appreciates the scrutiny.
The choice made by Jim Hammonds and identified by John Bailes as an example of corruption and poor judgment is actually an example of a man who knows how to forgive and restore when an individual repents. Should Lonnie Hood pay for his crimes the rest of his life? While there are consequences that may last a lifetime, being denied forgiveness and friendship should not be included in those consequences.
Jim Hammond is a faithful friend who will not sacrifice a person for political gain. In the political arena such a sacrifice may be considered good judgment; however, in real life it is nothing more than being judgmental. Jim is being politically smeared for being kind and showing grace to a fallen friend. Jim Hammond is that kind of man and that is the kind of man I want to be our sheriff.
Mike McGinnis
Chattanooga
* * *
Jim Hammond will be a sheriff who will arrest and punish those who break the law. Jim's service as chief deputy and the training he has given both nationally and in other countries place a heavy emphasis on effective law enforcement and punishment, but he knows that rehabilitation must also be a function of law enforcement if it is to be effective. Without it lives would not be changed and enough jail cells could not be built to separate offenders from society.
It is sad that the Democratic chairman out of desperation reaches back into the past to resurrect a crime committed by a man who once worked for the Sheriff's Department, Lonnie Hood. Mr. Hood committed a crime, served his time in prison, apologized to the community for his failure. He will not return to the Sheriff's Department, but he has returned to the community as a now successful businessman and family man.
He was found guilty, sentenced and has served that sentence. If he is allowed to be a productive member of society now then the value of rehabilitation can be demonstrated.
Does the chairman or any of the critics honestly not believe in the proven rehabilitation of a man, or would they stoop to demean rehabilitation for the sake of political gain?
Yes, Jim Hammond will be a sheriff who will prosecute, but he will also seek to return truly rehabilitated offenders to a productive life in our community once their price has been paid. Piling on when a man is down accomplishes little. It only cripples the man who is striving to reach the goal.
Bobby Wood
CoChairman of Jim Hammond for Sheriff Committee
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