Town Leaders Discuss Police Chief's Dismissal

[silver01]

in response to PJHEGE, I think it is in very poor taste to critize the Town manager and the Police Dept. of Walnut Cove for going to the funeral home to pay their respects to the Southern family. They went as did Mr. Conaway, what is the diffrence? I think it was a very nice gesture on their part to honor a very good man and a prominent citizen of Walnut Cove. All this controversy needs to stop and the Town and the citizens need to try and work togerther for a better Walnut Cove. and by the way I HAVE LIVED IN WALNUT COVE ALL MY LIFE.

[PJHEGE]

To pay ones respect is great but,those officers were acting exactally like BODYGUARDS.I'm SURE that I'm not the only one to notice.On each side of the town manager in front of him and behind him.I know the Police Dept is doing the job they are TOLD to do but I hope MY tax dollar is paying them to protect EVERYONE.

[Carlos has back]

PJHEGE,

It looks to me as if you are threatened by Mr. Dearman's existance in Walnut Cove. It also appears that you did not pay much attention during you English classes as your spelling is really poor.

Mr. Dearman grew up in Stokes County. He is an Eagle Scout, leader of the Order of the Arrow lodge and in the leadership of the Old Hickory Council. He is serving in these positions because he has learned his Boy Scout life lessions to be: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

To say that cleaning up Walnut Cove is a major task is an understatement. Mr. Dearman has worked here as a consulting Town Manager for one year prior to accepting the position permanently. He knew the depth of the challenge and has accepted it. Walnut has great opportunities in it's future. But there is much to overcome first .... like "the good ol' boys" (I suspect PJHEGE is one), cronyism, nepotism, greed & ignorance.

Mr. Dearman has displayed respect, leadership, honesty in all of his dealings to date.

The PJHEGES' of Walnut Cove are what has held back this community. They do not want to see any change because they will effectively lose their cronyistic control. They are scared because Mr. Dearman is the 1st honest, sincere Town Manager that Walnut Cove has had in the last 25-years. This is why they are viciously attacking him.... they do not have him under their domination and "in their back pocket".

I only hope that Mr. Dearman will perservere and that the current Board of Commissioners will stand firmly by his decisions for the future good of Walnut Cove.

PJHEGE et al, just go away as your days here are numbered.

As they say, there will soon be a new "sheriff" in town.

(Sort of reminds me of "Tombstone")

[baristalatte]

It is hard to follow a post like the one by "carlos", but I feel that I need to add my two cents as well.

I have lived in or around Stokes County all my life, and have known Dearmin for most of his. Do you really think that firing Conaway is something that Dearmin WANTED to do? Being a supervisor is not an easy job, and you have to make decisions every day that you do not want to make. Like it or not, Conaway was Dearmin's employee, and probably did something that was not kosher under the Town's personnel policy. Dearmin was likely put in a position where he had to act. I know Dearmin to be level headed, calm, intelligent, and most importantly, a Christian. He comes from a good family and a good background. As "carlos" mentioned, he has been in Scouting for a long time, and as an Eagle Scout, he is held to a higher standard than many. I am sure that the combination of his education, upbringing, and system of morality helped to guide his decision, and that he made the decision he felt was right under the circumstances. The old adage of "don't criticize a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes" applies here. We weren't there, and we don't know what happened. But I and the rest of my family know Dearmin, and know that he had to have good reason to make the decision he did.

As for the others who are upset with Dearmin's decision, have you spoken with him about it? If not, I think you should at least try before passing judgment. I think you will find that he is level headed, and is willing to listen to what you have to say. At least give him the benefit of a doubt and talk to him personally instead of hurling childish insults on a message board.

One final tidbit that I need to get off of my chest is the benefit supper held for Conaway. It is admirable that some folks thought enough of him to put together such an event, but did they consider the hundreds of people in Stokes County who are also out of work, or disabled, or falling under bad times? I think that there are so many other causes that are greater than one man losing his job for something that is likely a result of his own doing. There are so many out there who cannot afford a can of beans, yet people are willing to contribute money to a man who is in the middle of his life, can still find work, and is capable of finding another job??? I think people are taking up the wrong cause!

[anonymous]

Why isn't Barry telling folks why he was fired? If it was for no good reason, why isn't he telling folks? He is saying that he was fired for no reason at all, but I find that hard to believe!

[joedean]

Why in the world are people holding fundraisers for this guy? So many other people have circumstances beyond there control and cannot make it day to day, yet here is someone who was FIRED and people are throwing money at him? Something is wrong with this picture, and it looks like some people in walnut cove need to open there eyes. This man was fired. He can get another job and make money for himself. This is wrong people. I hope the man at least has enough dignity to donate the money raised to a charity.

[joedean]

Well, I think some of us who have been defending the town manager feel a lot better. The information was released, and anyone who acted like Conaway would expect to be fired. I am angry that he misled the public and only chose to offer an explanation after the town did. What a liar! The town was right in there actions. Conaway deserved to be fired and then lied about it by telling everyone that he didn't know why he was fired. I hope that people will wake up and see that "Con"away shouldn't be trusted. Maybe all the people who gave him money are rethinking that decision now. If you haven't heard, go by town hall and get your copy of the report and you can see for yourself that the town manager had a reason for firing him, and that Conaway knew it.

[up set]

OK PJHEGE YOU REALLY DONT KNOW THE POLICE OF THIS TOWN THEY GO AFTER HONEST PEOPLE AND DO NOTHING TO THE BAD GUYS THERE IS SOME ONE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHO WAS CAUGHT FOR RUNNING A DRUG HOUSE AND DRUG VECHILES WENT TO COURT LOST NOTHING AND IS STILL RUNNING A DRUG HOUSE AND THEY DO NOTHING ABOUT IT I WAS RAISED TO RESEPCT THE LAW HOW CAN YOU WHEN THEY LET STUFF LIKE THIS GO ON

[PJHEGE]

Dear Upset
Why not go one step higher to the BIG sheriff Mr.Mike Joyce and put the bug in his ear.He WILL check into the situation and see that something gets done.

[jtw]

Make sure you all go by Town Hall and get a copy of the report. It is 14 pages, but it is worth the read! Conaway was fired for cause any way you look at it. If you cussed at your boss, wouldn't you expect to be fired? Conaway's supporters aren't quite so loud now, are they?

[mewt]

I am sure there are some people that are going to support Mr.Conaway no matter what the truth is. the fact is He is gone and now the Town and the people of Walnut Cove need to move on for a better town. Will that happen? who knows! but we need to face facts and the facts are he got fired for a reason. I supported him and I hope he finds another job in the law enforcement field. but he needs to move on as well as the rest of us.

[thetruth]

as for leaders in Walnut Cove, I just can't trust anyone who is a "leader" in a Masonic Lodge leading our town. They call the top leader "Your worshipful Master" in the Walnut Cove Lodge. What is THAT all about? I wonder if they realize what kind of people there are in the hierarchy of the Masonic Order. They want to represent this? The Masonic Lodge is a front for a secret society that networks and complies with only thier other "brothers" in the order. Reasearch the Masons...from all historic angles and see how you feel then.

[Daddy Rabbit]

The Truth

Looks like you have not or know very much about the Masonic Lodge or Your Town Manager. Meembers of the Masonic Lodge are held to a high stantard. Something you don't know very much about.Sure Mr. Dearman is Mason and a very good one. If you have a problem with Him Or The Lodges of Walnut Cove or the State of North Carolina, why not speak to them one one instead of hiding behind your non truths.

[JRicher]

Some of the best political leaders in American history were Masons.

[One Mason]

Appears as if you should research the Masons yourself. Gene Autry, Kit Carson, Jim Bowie, Winston Churchhill, Mark Twain, Ty Cobb, Buffalo "Bill" Cody, Davy Crockett, Jack Dempsy, Henry Ford, Ben Franklin, George Washington, John Glenn (the astronaut if you didn't know), Patrick Henry, Gen. Douglas McArthur, Brad Paisley (bet you know him), Paul Revere, Roy Rogers, FDR (another US President), Col. Sanders (you know, the chicken man), Red Skelton, Danny Thomas, Mel Tillis (another country music legend), Harry Truman (another President), and many, many, many more. I don't see a looser in the list. Sounds as if perhaps you petitioned to be a mason yourself but were "black-balled". Wonder why? Could it possibly be your positive outlook and detailed research into Masonry? Give us a break!! You shouldn't comment on something you know nothing about. Try www.masonicinfo.com . You could learn something.

[One Mason]

The above posting was for "The Truth".

[G Toler]

The posting from someone in Mount Olive, NC, doesn't even live in Walnut Cove nor did sign his name is suspect. He cannot know Mr. Dearmin or know much about him, nor does he know about Masonry. It reminds me of what a member of the communist party or the Klan would do out of ignorance.
Just for the dumb mass’s information, the Masonic order is not a secret order; they have signs on their buildings, wear lapel pins and rings showing the square and compass the communist and the Klan are secret orders.
I have not seen a Klan member or a member of the communist party wearing a sign of their organization.Get informed, then talk, and let us know just who you are.

[Daddy Rabbit of King]

Well said Brother Toler & One Mason. I agree with you both 100%. But from the meat of the "Truths" wording, sounds like he may have gotton 1 degree in Walnut Cove and quit because of personal reasons. Sounds to me like Conaway himself! I will quite down now and let this whole pot of poop stop smelling and causing hard feelings. Oh, by the way I'm a Stokes County Resident in K I N G and an officer in a Masonic Lodge. Toler you know me. Enough said.

Good Evening

[Calendarkeeper]

Isn't this all old news? I'm not sure, but didn't this all happen back in January??? Check your calendars folks; it's June, and time to move on!

[Yellow Dawg]

Debbie wrote:

I am sorry, I can not make a judgement about Barry Conaway - when all that I have ever heard is how he has helped people, i think too many people are saying things - when "no one" knows the entire story. I pray for him, this has got to be so hard for him. I do think he needs to have his "say". This is America....so ...Walnut Cove give the man his say.........

Think those who complain the most are the ones getting the bulk of the tickets?