I couldn’t believe what I was reading on the front page of Thursday’s paper. Of course I am referring to the termination of Lt. Rick Massie from the Troup County Sheriff’s Department.
Disbelief, outrage and disappointment are just a few of the emotions that went through me when reading the headline. After reading the article, I think you could add “furious” to the list.
Lt. Massie is one of the finest men I have ever met. He is wonderful and approachable to the children he taught in the CHAMPS program and is such a great role model. He has worked for everyone in this county for 24 years. How can someone be terminated after they have been injured, while on duty, trying to protect the citizens of Troup County? Do we want our public safety people to have to think twice before risking dangerous rescues, if they know they could be terminated if seriously injured?
How long did Mr. Dobbs have to look to find the “little used clause in the county personnel policy” on limited leave times? If no one can “remember when this provision had been used,” why is it being used now?
I would encourage all of the county commissioners to look at this policy and change it. I would also encourage all Troup County citizens to call and write their commissioners to complain about this policy and about the way Lt. Massie has been treated. This is a sad day for the citizens of Troup County.
Mary Ann Keck
Courtney Drive, La-Grange
His benefits so far seem reasonable, even generous.If you want to treat this man better, then you have to treat every man better.The rules are there, you can set them up to pay benefits in perpetuity if you like, but they also have to apply to that slacker that no one likes.
It ain't a popularity contest.