Sep 192009
The title of this one says it all. While being interviewed by News Channel 7′s Chris Cato, Wellford Mayor Sallie Peake goes absolutely crazypants when questioned about her new directive to Wellford City Police instructing them not to engage in foot pursuits of suspects.
Her rationale for this policy: The foot chases lead to officer injuries causing the City of Wellford to pay more in worker’s comp insurance. At least, that’s what I was able to gather from the video. Cato, to his credit, tries to keep Mayor Peake on topic, but…well…just watch the clip for yourself.
Christopher George
Chris
As a journalist, I think you should credit your source, which in this case seems to be the Spartanburg Spark member, “camelmike”.
I already enjoyed the video courtesy of him.
Thanks, Mike!
Actually I got the link from one of my friends on Facebook, but thanks for the constant vigilance there OO, though I’m sure my “journalistic integrity” will be fine without it.
God where is that eye-rolling feature when I need it!
Anyway, camelmike kudos for posting this over on the other thread.
you know i love you, right? In a bro-to-bro kind of way…
[ P.S. I accept the eye roll ]
By the way…
How did the Belenchia interview go?
Do we have 2 progressive candidates?
And you can go easier on the thumbs-down, cowboy.
Finally, I refer to the Shanafelt comment where I am cleared of the charges of “sockpuppetting” previously leveled at me.
“Journalistic Integrity” intact…
G’nite.
You weren’t “cleared,” exactly. It’s just that I was wrong about the IP address being the reason the site thought you were a sockpuppet. It may have been caused by something I did to the system settings, but I’m not sure. I’m happy to give you the benefit of the doubt, though.
I appreciate your concern but I assure you this was a true case of spontaneous generation.
Thanks,
CM
You sound like some serious Jackass trying to get his boyfriend credited. Moron!
The town of Wellford covers three square miles, there is according to the 2000 census about 5000 people living within the Wellford area about half that within the city limits.
The mayor is in error when she says that the workman’s comp insurance is more then the average income. Average income is a little over 35k.
Crime in Wellford has gone up significantly. The crime rate doubled between 2006 and 2007, 2008 figures were not available at the website I found this data.
In 2007 there were four full time police officers. Again I am not sure on the part time staff.
My website source
http://www.city-data.com/city/Wellford-South-Carolina.html
20k for workman’s comp may be high, but it is covering all city staff. Including sanitation, office and maintenance staff. Workman’s comp insurance is ridiculously high anyway, and it is necessary. The reason for the amount could be for any number of reasons, totally unrelated to a few minor injuries by police officers in the past couple of years.
I understand the need for reducing costs, but sadly this mayor doesn’t seem to have a good handle on exactly what cost figures are. She should have known that people would question this policy and she certainly could have given a much more clear and concise answers then the defensive ramble that was filmed. That she had to ask someone what the insurance amount was was unfortunate.
Good luck channel 7 on ever receiving paper back-up on the data about insurance and why the budgetary decision was made. I think you’ll need it.
The print article accompanying the video does mention that the police staff will comply by the mayor’s decision and do what they can to work with it. I have to hand it to them to continue to work with greater restrictions all while protecting and serving the citizens within their district.
This woman is nuts. Period. There is absolutely no defense for such an outrageous policy. It endangers the citizens and sets the town up for all kinds of litigation the instant a criminal decides to trot away from a police officer and then harms someone afterward. The only place this woman needs to be Mayor of is Looneyville.
AMEN!
Call the whacky wagon for Mayor Peake!
I’ll even drive her to Looneyville, as long as it’s a one-way trip!!!
It’s not “workman’s comp” it’s “worker’s comp.” Women work these days, even in South Carolina.
There had to be a name for being saddened, discouraged, and furious while bursting with laughter. Every voter in South Carolina should see this and comprehend why leaders have to be more than just friendly people or budget hawks.
Yet Ms. Peake gets re-elected! Seventies comedian Flip Wilson could have used her “crazypants” act for material. Thanks, Chris, for the chuckle that brought.
I read a follow up on this story in the HJ today. It mentioned that the police department is investigating the legality of the mayor’s decision. IT should be interesting to see how it plays out.
Ah, Mayor Sallie Peake back in action!
The woman who prior claim to fame was wanting to have her town be the “strip club mecca” for Spartanburg County, fighting both her citizens and her own city council to champion the ability of adult businesses to flourish in her city and set-up shop right next to churches, schools, and day-care centers.
Most of us thought she would get voted out after that episode in the early 90′s. But there are plenty of rumors of shenanigans happening around her elections, mostly with the absentee voting that occurs.
Is there an ACORN office there too?
Congratulations Mayor Sallie Peake on your recent accomplishment of national name recognition in the no foot pursuit policy story. To be honest with you madam, I was embarrassed for you when I saw your complete inability to conceal or mask the ignorance made audible in the WSPA interview. Your rambling attempt to be condescending with Reporter Chris Cato was painful to watch. You should pray that you are somehow healed in your flawed judgment and troubled personal issues with police officers. However small and insignificant the city of Wellford may be, it is shameful that any elected official would put in writing a policy so misguided and unstable.
Well, i am leaving the Military soon and have always had an interest in politics. Maybe i should come home and try and run against this loon.
Well Mayor Peake rescinded the no chase policy. This is a small excerpt from the WSPA version of the story.
—Wellford Mayor Sallie Peake is rescinding her controversial “no chase†policy, saying she is following the example of an embattled South Carolina congressman.
“I’m like Joe Wilson,“ says Peake. “He was forced to apologize. I’m changing (the policy) not because I want to, but because I’ve been asked to.“
Three weeks ago, Peake sent a memo to all Wellford police officers which says: “As of this date, there are to be no more foot chases when a suspect runs. I do not want anyone chasing after any suspects whatsoever.“—
More on the article can be found here…
http://www2.wspa.com/spa/news/local/article/wellford_mayor_sallie_peake_rescinds_no_chase_policy/27293/
Frankly her comparing herself to Joe Wilson is crazy, yet eerily accurate at the same time. But not for the reason Mrs. Peake thinks.
She was “asked to?” SHE’S THE MAYOR! Who on Earth is her boss? Wilson has a boss (Congressional Republicans). Mayors don’t have a boss.