In light of the recent attempt by the Blue Ridge City Mayor and Council to remove Johnny Scearce as the city Chief of Police, this petition is an effort to show support for Mr. Scearce by citizens of this community.
The city charter does not mandate that the city council, the mayor or the city attorney appoint a chief of police every four years as the newly appointed city attorney stated in a public meeting. Johnny Scearce has been the chief of police for Blue Ridge for almost thirty years and has served this city well in his capacity, there was no valid reason to put this man under the stress of losing his job of 30 years.
Months before the election there was threats made toward Chief Scearce by Mayor Whitener and Council Member Rhonda Thomas, threatening to have his job. As a measure to stop the harassment, an attorney that represents police officers all across the state sent a letter to Mayor Whitener and Council Member Thomas as a notice that the harassment and threats should immediately stop.
It seems this is now being used by Mayor Whitener as an excuse to fire Johnny Scearce from the job he has had for 30 years. The threats made to Johnny Scearce of getting rid of him are now becoming reality with the new mayor and council in office. Lets not let the new mayor and council unjustly take away the livelihood of a man that has spent his life serving and protected many of us for decades.
This list of signatures are those that support Johnny Scearce the man in uniform that has protected Blue Ridge and the citizens for almost thirty years.
