Doug McKown

Couldn't be!!!!!!! Must have been the crushed up remains of that half of viagra.

Enlighed and I do not agree on alot of things however on this he is 100% correct!!!

"This is not about being republican or democrat or independent."
...That's why your SUBJECT and the first line of your statement were about that very thing, huh? I guess you couldn't resist.
Always remember...don't let FACTS get in the way of your argument...

the fact is that each and every time something goes "wrong" politically for the republicans, someone brings up Clinton. That was my only point there and frankly, I cannot defend (nor did I try to) the democrats when they have Teddy Kennedy. Remember, he was most likely drunk when he killed poor Mary Jo. That is the perfect example of the double standard I speak of.

So your statement is uncalled for. I did not let the facts get in the way of my argument. But in truth, I never let a chance to rib the republicans cause it is just soooo much fun and they do provide such fodder. Like el presidente dancing off stage and bidding the world farewell from the planets largest polluter...truth is stranger than fiction. Think Bush is drinking again? Or could he be overdosing on pretzels?

Just the facts, jack or should I say Mike.

(pun slightly intended)

What Mr. Procton was bringing up to the group was that you rail on Republicans for their double-standard for half of your post and then make the statement that this was not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue.

I'd like to say we need a higher standard for our elected officials, but it'd be nice if they just abided by the standard the rest of us have to. And I think we all agree on that.

You did, howeevr, make a partisan issue of this and Procton was right to call you out.

BTW, doubtful if the alcohol in question for Mr. Lindemann or McKown would show up on an employment drug test. Would you want John Spratt kicked out of Congress if he had wine at a meeting with Pelosi and then was administered a drug test? I wouldn't either.

With our elected officials, we always have the right to not vote for that person. It would be good, in my opinion, to have a quicker means of removal from office for any elected official who do not live up to the laws of the land. The fear being political motives would take over versus legitimate betrayal of public trust motives.

You like taking Clinton off the table, but he was not railroaded due to an extra-marital affair - as you would like to have everyone believe. He lied under oath in an United States Court of Law. He could have come forth and said "Yep, I did her and her and her, would like to do her, no not Hillary, the red-head behind her". If he had done that, then 50% of Americans would have hated him and 50% would not have given a darn. But guess what, that was the way it was anyway. The big difference, had he not PERJURED himself, he would never have been brought up on Impeachment.

I don't use Clinton as justification for the legal and morally reprehensible behavior of Republicans or anyone else. Ravenel has been and should be punished. Yes, he had a good lawyer, but lots of folks get off easy for their first offense - rich and poor alike. McKown is an embarrasment and should just move away or spend time in jail.

The big thing goes to personal responsibility and public accountability. In that, I believe we agree (I think).

He wants to lead but he has a drunk problem. he is a disgrace to our county. he should resign

I can always count on you Hood to come to the defense of the Republicans. Give me a break, yes, yes, a thousand times yes, I did use the word republican in my subject line but that was only to grab attention. And oh boy did I get what I asked for!

Me thinks the lady doth protest too much! I am sick and tired of Clinton and his sex life being an issue at all. We have a president who lied and lied and lied and no one seems concerned about that. We have members of his cabinet that REFUSE to answer to congress. And the answer to all of this is Clinton's sex life with Monica Lewinsky.

I will go back and remove all references to the previous post because you seem to not be able to read between the lines.

My point is your point: Politicians SHOULD be held to the same standard as the bag boy at Harris Teeter.

No, I do not want John Spratt to undergo a pi** test after a glass of wine at lunch...I am not suggesting that "we" police moderate consumption of alcohol and drugs. What I am suggesting is that our approach is ALL WRONG and counter productive. Don't you think the young adults laugh at us? They should and they do. How hypocritical of us to ship them off to fight a war but refuse to sell them a beer. We subsidize tobacco farms and then tell kids not to smoke while the big cartoon camel sings tobaccos taste and style.

Don't even get me started on the oil industry. A whole new can of worms.

WE do agree that personal responsibility and public accountability is what is missing in politics and in the private sector too. What we disagree on is how to go about it. I do not beleive you can legislate morality, you seem to think it can be done by outlawing abortion and other such morally offensive (to you) behavior.

Oh, and believe me if you were caught with 500 grams of cocaine you would go to jail. First offense or not and be thankful that most of the draconic Regan drug laws have been phased out. Wonder how many people are sitting in jail today for that pot plant they grew? Lots of them I bet but Ravenel gets 9 months? Where is he serving? I don't know, do you?

Peace to you.

Actually, most of your post was a rant about how Republicans are scum and take advantage of the system while the everyday man suffers for comitting the crime.

Then, in the next-to-the-last paragraph, you try to show some sensibility by stating that this was not a republican issue or a democratic issue.

First of all, as we teach our kids all the time, it doesn't matter that little Tommy didn't receive the same punishment as you, you do wrong, you pay the price. I know it's not fair, and you've never seen me defend any Republican for doing wrong just because they were a Republican. I am just as hard on Ravenel and McKown and others as I am on Clinton.

As far as legislating "morality" - isn't that what laws are? You and free have said repeatedly that you don't need to be "religious" in order to be "moral". Aren't laws justthe collective morality of a people?

Since you opened the can of worms, abortion is the poster child for lack of personal responsibility. A responsible person that does not want to get pregnant or cause another person to get pregnant takes the appropriate measures to ensure that the unwanted pregnancy does not occur. We can come up with a thousand reasons why people "don't want to", but it is simply irresponsible. And the person who pays the ultimate price is the child.

If we don't delve into the post-conception remeedy to unwanted pregnancy, I would like to think that we could all agree on the fact that the vast majority of unwanted pregnancies are the result of irresponsible behavior. That is not legislating morality. Thatis not even bringing religion into it. It's just good old common sense.

You say we agree on the problem, but not the solution. You immediately jump to abortion and, I'm assuming. are alluding to gay marriage.

Yet, you offer no solutions of your own. Only continue to slam Republicans who have gotten off.

Personally responsibility begins with each person - not with government. We need laws to protect us from irresponsible behavior (i.e. McKown and Lindemann). If we can drug test professional athelets, then certainly we can drug test our elected officials. We can also have a means for ousting anyone who has broken that trust.

Where do YOU draw the line between personal behavior problems and betrayal of public trust? Can I be an alcoholic and still be a good elected official? Can I be a adulterer and still be a good elected official? Can I lie under oath? Can I lie to the country not under oath?

You and free keep wanting to impeach Bush and Co. If there is evidence of wrong-doing, then why hasn't an incredibly partisan Congress brought up the charges? If there is evidence to support law breaking by our executives, then I'll sign on to impeach.

You can't get past the sex with Clinton. He lied under oath in a US Court of Law. Simple as that. Does not matter what he lied about - could be sex, cold be tape recordings, could be for starting a war. He lied under oath and was caught.

If Bush or Cheney have committed any of the things that you constantly accuse them of, then have Pelosi start the preceedings tomorrow. The integrity of our government is worth the ordeal if the charges have basis and there is evidence to back it up.

Clinton was impeached and rightfully so. He blew it. Everybody knew he was having sex with other women. But when someone files a serious charge against you such as sexual harassment and you lie under oath to protect yourself, then you pay a price for that lie.

Me thinks your partisanship blinds your logic. Yes, there were Republicans that could not stand Clinton and wanted to see him go. But they did not force him to lie. He did that all by himself.

Personally for me, having Gore ascend to the Presidency would have been a disaster, so I am glad that Clinton was not removed. But, Congress was right to impeach him.

It is up to a woman. However, I don't have to pay for it. If you want one, pay for it yourself not with my tax dollars

Nice little anti democrat rant you had there. Do you feel better? I hope so. I should have known better than to say the "A" word.

First off, to even PRETEND that the wealthy of this country are not treated to a whole new level of "justice" in this country is pure bs. I believe OJ proved, beyond as shadow of a doubt that the only color in this country is Green!

"You and free keep wanting to impeach Bush and Co. If there is evidence of wrong-doing, then why hasn't an incredibly partisan Congress brought up the charges? If there is evidence to support law breaking by our executives, then I'll sign on to impeach."

It ain't just Free and I, we are joined by the MAJORITY of Americans and in deed and in fact articles of Impeachment have been introduced to Congress and I hope to heck they pass because it has been proven over and over and over again that Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rice, and just about the entire administration LIED about the "need" to invade Iraq. They knew they were lying. Colin Powell could barely get the words out of his mouth.

If Bush were held to the same standards as Clinton he would have been removed from office during his first term. Deal with it and get over your Puritan views of sex. Yes, he lied under oath. Get Bush or Cheney under oath and watch them lie. Are you, ms. morals, telling me it is ok that Bush has lied and lied and lied but Clinton deserved what he got because he did so under oath. That is about as lame as it gets.

"If Bush or Cheney have committed any of the things that you constantly accuse them of, then have Pelosi start the preceedings tomorrow. The integrity of our government is worth the ordeal if the charges have basis and there is evidence to back it up."

Where have you been and how far down is your head buried? Come on Hood, can't you even own up to the fact that this administration has been one HUGE disaster?

You need to go read the articles of impeachment against Bush. You need to view Al Gores latest speech. I will post links to them both.

My partisanship blinds me? I am not a democrat. I vote for who mirrors my own personal beliefs, just like you. Sadly, for you and others like you, the moral highground has become a very slippery slope and it has been the Republicans who have taken that sleigh ride down the side of the mountain to wallow in their own you know what.

Human beings are fallable, regardless of party affiliation. There is no denying this simple fact and I won't try. As far as not offering solutions, you are wrong. I suggested that all politicians take drug tests and frankly while we are at it, lets see what kind of sex they like cause we don't want anyone in Congress or the Senate who "strays" from the norm, right?

I truly believe that we would have been better off had all the votes been counted and Al Gore became our President. Bush has made a mockery of our country and our morals. Did you know he recently danced his way off stage by saying "Farewell from the biggest polluter in the world." and then did a little dance? That's presidential.

My partisanship is pretty much non exisistant, unlike your blind faith in all things Republican.

We do, however, agree on one thing. We need to get these crooks out of office, regardless of political affiliation and move forward towards a sustainable way of living on this planet or this will all be a mute point.

PS: Pelosi called Bush a disaster, for me that's putting it mildly and I would say so if he were a democrat.

Vote for Obama, I am. If there were a viable third option I would consider it but I am all for ousting the "old guard."

Have a nice evening and remember, if you don't believe in abortion then don't have one. Otherwise keep your laws off MY body.

Where did you see any anti-Democratic ranting being done? Not that I couldn't, but I certainly did not in this post.

I, once again, felt obligated to correct your historic revisions of the Clinton Impeachment. Although I personally believe Clinton to be a skirt-chasing scum bucket, it is not within the Constitution of the US to impeach him for that offense. Perjury in a court of law, is. Remember, the testimony was in relation to a charge of sexual harassment. The Paula Jones case is not the only such accusation that Clinton has faced (including rape at Oxford). So, what you have is a man with a history of alleged sexual predatorship against women. To protect himself against the serious offense of sexual harassment, he lied (PERJURED) himself regarding an affair he had with a white house intern.

Once again, Clinton PERJURED himself in a court of law.

Now, you like to deflect to all of Bush's "lies". The evidence thus far points to bad data, not deiberate lying. Perhaps history will prove otherwise. I have said repeatedly on this board that Bush is not the President that I elected, but I'd still take him over Algore or Kerry.

But, back to the "lies". For it to be perjury, first of all, it must be under oath. So, let's assume that when the President took the oath of office, he agreed to be honest with us. Fair enough. For it to be perjury:

Statements of interpretation of fact are not perjury because people often make inaccurate statements unwittingly and not deliberately. Individuals may have honest but mistaken beliefs about certain facts or their recollection may be inaccurate. Like most other crimes in the common law system, to be convicted of perjury one must have had the intention (mens rea) to commit the act, and to have actually committed the act (actus reus).

Can you prove that Bush passed on misleading and inaccurate information? Of course so. Can you prove that he perjured himself? I don't believe that you can.

I remain steadfast to the call for responsibility and accountability. I notice how you skipped over my point regarding abortion as the poster child for the lack of personal responsibility in this country.

Let me take your favorite quote and alter it a bit. If you don't want to be pregnant or cause someone else to be pregnant, then show some responsibility. Take a birth control pill, wear a condom, there are many ways to prevent pregnancy - including (GASP! am I really going to suggest that) saying "No". In the history of mankind, no one has ever found themselves in an unwanted pregnancy by not having sex.

Responsible behavior begins before having sex.

As Morgan Freeman (playingthe role of God) in Bruce Almighty said, "you can't kneel down in the road and not expect to die, son."

Meaning, our actions have consequences, The overwhelming majority of aborions are the result of a lack of sexual responsibility.

Back to the original subject - responsibility and accountability. Again, you rail on the wealthy who seemingly have a different justice system. On the whole, I do not disagree with that statement.

That does not make Joe Schmoe any less guilty. And that is the relativism that our leaders have taught us. It's OK to lie, cheat, steal, even kill because our poliical leaders and celebrities do it and get away with it. They even get book deals and made-for-TV movies.

Here is what I teach at my home. Little Johnny comes home from school and has an afetr-school detention slip for misbehaving in class. Little Johnny can't understand why he has to stay, but the kid who started it all gets off scott free. I ask Little Johnny - did you know what you were doing was wrong? He says Yes. Then, you deserve your punishment. Whether or not the other kid gets caught and has a punishment doesn't matter to me. Little Johnny should choose right regardless of what the people around him are choosing. And if he doesn't, then he pays the price.

If we let people get away with murder, they will.

Again, if there is proof that the President of the US willfuly and intentionally lied to the American people to take us into war, thn he should be brought up on Impeachment. My guess is that the evidence isn't there to support it. There may be speculation and supposition, but that won't hold water in a court of law.

You keep tying to paint me to be a head-in-the-sand Republican. I've said repeatedly that this administration has not lived up to the standards I hold for it. I said in the last election cycle that I felt that Cheney and Runsfeld should take the opportunity to retire. I think the country and the party would have been better served with different advisors near Bush.

So, maybe you're not a democrat, but you sure hold disdain for all things Republican. My faith is not in any political party.

won't get you anywhere but I'll play if ya want to. Having issues with your prescription drug problem? They have special clinics for all you ladies who are hooked on those mother's little helpers.

For once and for all time I KNOW that Clinton perjured himself (legally) for lying about an affair. He should NOT have been forced to do so in the first place because it was none of your business nor mine what his sex life was like and with whom. How come nothing happens to what's his name when he propositions a cop in a bathroom, lies about it and then refuses to step down. Where's the morals then.

Again, you WANT to legislate morality and it doesn't work. Prohibition did not work because people were going to drink (been doing it so long even Jesus drank and Moses before him). So people made gin in their bathrooms while the prohibitionists marched around with the silly slogans and tried to save us from ourselves.

The war on drugs is not working. All we are doing is applying the double standard and throwing mostly young black men in prison for trying to make a buck. Under Regan's sentencing guidelines Ravenel would have gotten 25 years with NO CHANCE FOR PAROLE.

I am all for personal accountability and responsibility. I am very responsible personally and yes it does irk me at times that other people are not. People who drink and drive should be locked up. If you don't work you have no right to food and shelter. See I do have my (what you would call) conservative side. I do not find these ideas to be particularly conservative. I find them to be standards that I have lived up to and that I have made my children live up to.

The republicans earned my disdain, over and over and over again with the flaunting of the truth (just not under oath, yet) and their rich white guy, let them eat cake attitude. I cannot change history or the truth. Cheney and Rumsy should be in jail with W in the next cell with Rove...Condi should be across the street in the women's prison.

Like you, my faith lies not in any political party but in the God of my understanding.

As for proving Bush lied, I believe the proof was presented in the form of the Downing Street Memo but alas, no body cared cause we need the oil for God's sake!

Now, no more insults or I will have to take the gloves off and frankly, Yes, I inhaled, held it in, got high and did it again. But that was over 20 years ago now...maybe when I get old I will start making brownies. One never knows, do one.

nobody is hurling insults at you. That is an expression to simply indicate the irrational nature of your previous post where you accused me of railing against the Democrats.

Need I remind you yet again that Clinton was testifying in a case of sexual harassment. Do you not think that charge is serious? Or is it only serious if it's a Republican congressman and a male intern? In the course of that trial, it was fitting and appropriate to establish Clinton's long-standing habit of sexual predatorship - the most recent at the time being with a White House intern names Monica Lewinsky. He lied about that relationship because he knew it woud make the case of Ms. Jones that he habitually makes sexual advances towards women that work under him (no pun intended).

Again, everytime you try to defend the indefensible, you bring up someone who has gotten away with it. What difference does it make what happens to Larry Craig or the governor from NY or the governor from NJ in terms of discussing the PERJURY that Clinton committed.

And, contrary to what you posted elsewhere, I do not hold Clinton sex problems to blame for the mistakes of this administration. I do hold Clinton to blame for helping to perpetuate the deterioration of our collective moral fiber. He showed that if you have enough money and power, then you can get away with anything.

You seem to hold that same double-standard with regards to Clinton. Maybe it's because the economy was doing better (thank you, Mr. Reagan). The American people seem to not care what their leaders do as long as their wallets are not affected.

So happy that you came clean about your past, but honestly, who cares? You want to break out the gloves, go ahead, but don't let your imagination or paranoia get the best of you. The only insults that I hurled were towards Clinton (see skirt-chasing scum bucket).

Just kidding.

At least you finally admitted what I knew was your underlying "problem" with Bill.

And I quote: "I do hold Clinton to blame for helping to perpetuate the deterioration of our collective moral fiber. He showed that if you have enough money and power, then you can get away with anything."

You have GOT to be kidding me. I believe OJ got away with MURDER a few years before bill was railroaded into the "sexual harassment case." I hold no double standard. I only wish Bush had been held to the same standard as Clinton was before the election so that his drug use, his dui, his partying ways could have been talked about TRUTHFULLY instead of votes going uncounted (fact) or another person getting "speedboated" (which was proven to be totally UNTRUE). There is a double standard. You can deny it if you want but truth is truth.

Answer without bringing up Monica Lewinsky and I'll kiss you!

Yeah, thank you Mr. Rayguns for being the 1st president with such total disregard for the environment that you make Bush look like a lightweight. Thank you Mr. Reagan for screwing the little guy till he bled and all that money trickled down into your rich friends pockets.

Do you really believe the party line that much that you would spout such tripe?

You see my dear, for every sexual label you can pin on Billy Boy, there are Several more diplorable ones that can be attributed to Reagan and Bush. Earth hating money grubbing elitists that they are, bless your heart!

My paranoia! LOL you are the bomb baby, simply the bomb!

Please, now you gonna say you never smoked a joint in college? You need to get a life, soon.

Cheech and Chong.

First of all, no I never smoked a joint in college, before college or after college. Is that what it takes for me to "get a life" according to your definition? I think I'm just fine the way I am, thank you.

Notice, I did not blame Clinton for single-handedly destroying the moral fiber. But when you have the President of the US who snubs his nose and other body parts in the face of the law, it establishes a bad precedence. His initial defense was that he was the President and should not be bothered by such trivialities as defending his name against a very serious charge of sexual harassment.

Once again, though, you fall right back into the habits of accusing Bush and Cheney and others of much worse. What does one have to do with the other?

If we go back to one of the initial tenets of this thread - it was individual responsibility. Too many folks like to fall into the trap of moral relativism. It's OK to steal from your employer because so-and-so did that or much worse. Wrong is wrong.

History may prove that Bush was as bad as you say he is, but I don't believe the evidence supports it. Now, if I'm perfectly honest and I always have been, if history proves that Cheney or Rumsfeld or Rove deliberately deceived the President by manipulating the facts in order to start a war with Iraq, I won't be terribly shocked. But again, I say if the evidence exists that so overwhelmingly proves that case, then Congress would have no choice but to pursue some sort of action because the public outcry would be too great.

I hold myself to an extremely high standard and expect no less from our public officials. I'm no lemming of the Republican Party. I am a Christian Conservative first and foremost. As we've seen in numerous dicussions regarding the Catawba and our water supply, I am very much in favor of protecting our most vital asset. I believe in personal responsibility and public accountability. Doesn't mean you always lose your job when you make a mistake. We're all human, but let's admit when we err, learn from it and work to build the public trust.

In McKown's case, the trust is gone. He shows no remorse or takes any responsibility. He only sought his job back to gain the back pay. Lindemann has displayed a serious lack of judgement. He obviously needs some help, but believe he can effectively serve his consituents if he comes clean and shows effort in refrming and gaining that trust back. And to be honest, I know nothing of his political beliefs - I only know the few details of his recent arrest and another one that happened years earlier.

So, can we come to agreement to not try to justify bad behavior of one person by comparing it to another? I'm sure I am guilty of that as well. Let's hold each person up in a vacuum against what they've done. Let's demand higher standards of our elected officials and call them out when they don't live up to it. And then ultimately, make that vote count when it comes time to determine who will represent you at whatever level of government.

And no "owner of the blue dress" references, thank you. No kisses necessary.

It was only a matter of time before he would be caught again. I am glad he got caught in Lincoln County and not York that way he can't say he was railroaded. He is such an embarassment to the citizens of York County.

He takes a county car across statelines without permission and hangs out with another one of his shady friends. He states he did not know the friend was smoking crack in his vehicle, Yeah Right!! He was only helping out a friend. Like I said before, he chooses to hang out with criminals. He is unworthy of a government paid job!! If he was so innocent in the deal why did he refuse the breathalizer?? He was drinking too!! I hope he does some jail time for the parole violation. When you refuse to take the breathalizer it is an automatic suspension of your drivers license therefore he cannot do his job. Sabrina should be given the job back and he should have the boot!!!

Anyone who blogged that he should be given a second chance that everyone deserves a second chance. What do you have to say now???

As a citizen of York County I feel compelled to respond to the letter from Cynthia Gross "McKown was railroded" that was in the voice of the people section yesterday. Since she does not live in York County she is either a good friend of Doug McKown or is going by only what she read or seen on TV to justify her statements.

I am not sure what evidence she feels is fabricated. There was illegal drugs found in his home. Not ju8st the Viagra but Cocaine also. The charges brought against him that were based on drug users and dealers were the same drug users and dealers he associated himself with. One of which was a live in girlfriend. Has Cynthia ever heard "Guilt by association"? I for one don't want a elected government official in my county associating with criminals.

As far as Mr. McKown never seen doing anything wrong. Did she not watch the videotape on TV with him in it while his girlfriend sold the illegal drugs? Which by the way was being taped by a undercover law enforcement officer not a drug dealer. If you think for one minute he had no knowledge of what was taking place you are so wrong. If she lived in York County she would know that it is well known he was not the local do-gooder. Many people in York County have known about his activities for a long time. It was not the first time he participated in this type of activity just the first time he got caught.

My husband is a Sheriff Deputy for York County and I for one am very happy with the way the law enforcement represents the people of York County. I am glad that Cynthia Gross does not live in York County since she has no respect for the law enforcement community!!!!

Nicole Seaford
York

Like prostitutes, beggars and thieves?

Not supporting McKown, but his associated are not him. I associate with people all the time who have criminal records. Some are friends, some neighbors, some business associates. How do I know this? Because our government makes just about anything they don't control illegal. I don't actually know it, but since a substantial percentage of the American population smokes pot or writes bad checks, or lies on paperwork when he signs up to run for Fort Mill Town Council, I feel pretty sure I associate with some criminals. And so do you.

For a different perspective, visit the York County (SC) Greens

I agree with you 100%. He was in a position of trust due to his being coroner. He commited a crime, he knew he was committing the crime and didn't care. He is disgusting and brings shame to York County.

He has no intentions of running again the only reason he came back is so he can get his two years back pay. If he wanted to spend his time healing like he stated in one of the articles I read he would start right away. He is a disgrace to York County. My husband is a sheriff deputy and no one in the sheriff's department is very happy regarding the outcome of the case or the fact he has his position back.

I see there is another investigation. Maybe there is hope yet that the loser will be removed from office!!!!

I am so glad to read that he won't seek re-election. Now we need to elect the person best suited for the job Sabrina Gast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best person suited for the job is Pete Skidmore! He has investigated some of the toughest murder cases for York County over the past 15 years to seek justice for all!! Commitment, integrity and compassion is what Pete Skidmore will bring to the table. We need to move forward, not backwards.

The same people who want to put Sabrina Gast in office are the same people who put Doug McKown in office in 1994. We need change!!

York County voters need to understand that the Coroner's Office is an investigative office. How much investigative experience does Sabrina Gast have??

why is this an elected position in the first place?

This should be an appointed job where very specific educational and experience criteria are met. We should not have a coroner elected because they're a Democrat or Republican. It should be because they meet the qualifications.

But, we got what we got, so let's discuss the "investigational" aspect of the job. The coroner determines the cause of death. They are not like CSI running around solving crimes - that is the job of our Sheriif and Police Departments.

Am I wrong on that? I understand that there is some overlap, but the Coroner primarily is concerned with the investigation medically - determining cause of death and collecting any evidence that will assist the police and prosecutors with their case.

The coroner determines cause of death and deals with the public in times of extreme stress and crisis. Another term used instead of Coroner is "Medical Examiner". Gast has extensive medical and forensic education and training. It appears that Skidmore did not even complete college.

I'm not making a judgement about him not graduating, but if this was a hired position, he would not have a shot. Gast's qualifications are perfectly suited for the job.

As I mentioned before, we lost my uncle earlier this year. Sabrina Gast was extremely professional and compassionate in the execution of her duties.

She'll get my vote.

In South Carolina there is only one office with a qualification requirement other than age and where you live, although that one can be avoided as Ken Starnes has done and the Herald won't pick up a single electron to tell the voters of Fort Mill about it, is Sherriff. Not sure, but maybe the Solicitor is required to be an attorney, but I'm not sure.

To take your idea forward, so you would expect the coroner to meet qualifications, but allow the voters to elect a person with a speeding record that would make Mario Andretti blush to be Lt. Governor?

Should the State Treasurer be required to have a degree in accounting? Should the head of the National Guard be required to be a veteran?

Not saying that any of these ideas is bad, but where do we draw the line? It's your Republican dominated state legislature that made these rules. Take it up with them!

For a different perspective, visit the York County (SC) Greens

First of all, I'm sorry about the loss of your loved one. I'm sure Sabrina, being a protocal nurse, was very compassionate.

If you go to Sabrina's website, you'll see the queston: Why is the Coroner involved? The answer is: State law requires the Coroner to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner and cause of all unexpected, violent or unusual deaths. Certain natural deaths must be investigated as well.

The Coroner and Medical Examiner are two totally different positions. A medical degree is required for the Medical Examiner. As I beleive neither Ms Gast nor Mr. Skidmore have a medical degree, neither of them is qualified to be a Medical Examiner. Furthermore, the Coroner's office has a budget of $100,000 for doctors to perform autopsies.

As far a McKown goes, it is probably you same self righteous folks who are down on him who voted him into office the last three elections. God forbid anything should happen to you or your family members.

Either you believe in the system or you don't. The system that was put in place either did or didn't work, but he was found not guilty. And if you honestly believe that his buddies, over the years, from the sheriff's and the solicitor's office didn't know what was going on, you're kidding yourselves. So, we need a change in all the offices, not just the Coroner's office.

If I recall correctly, in the paper, it said that Doug immediately called someone within the narcotics unit to see if the van he saw was theirs (the Narcotics unit).

Question: Why hasn't anyone checked into who that person was from the Narcotics unit? The people of York County want change!! AND CHANGE WE NEED!!

As far as McKown's case goes the system did not work!!! I am not sure whom his buddies are at the sheriff's office, but I for one can say for certain that my husband who is a sheriff deputy is not one of his buddies. The co-workers my husband hang's with are also not one of his buddies. As far as the person he called from the narcotics unit he should not have a job either!!!!!!!!!!!

Your right when you say change is what we need. Sabrina did bring change when she replaced McKown. She was nothing like McKown and would continue to be nothing like McKown if she wins the election!! She is a honest hardworking person.

Protocol Nurse? I have heard of Practical Nurse (1 year degree nurses) and Nurse Practioners (above the master's degree level). I am not being mean when I ask this, I just have never heard of a Protocol Nurse. Sabrina Gast, from what I have read, is a MSN (Master's in Nursing), with a specialty in Forensics. I think she has done a fine job since she was appointed as Coroner.

I realize that you don't have to have a medical background to be a Coroner (although some counties in other states require that), but I think it is an added plus. Coroners work closely with the Medical Examiners, so I feel like a Coroner with a medical background, particularly in Forensics, is very beneficial. I don't have anything against Skidmore, I just prefer to vote for Sabrina Gast since she did a good job as our county's Coroner before McKown came back.

https://www.healthcaresource.com/sjh/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.jobDetails&template=dsp_job_details.cfm&cJobId=850813

South Jersey Regional Cancer Center seeks Protocol Nurse
- Associates degree required
- Certification Required
- Licensure Required
2-3 years providing RN care to med-surg patients; prefer BSN or research training/certification and oncology nursing experience and/or OCN. Ability to explain complex cancer treatments to patients and families. Able to read and understand scientific studies and conform nursing care and documentation to the requirements of each protocol. Able to work collaboratively and collegially with oncologists and research staff members. Able to explain research studies to other health professionals and lay people. Provides patient education and support and assists in monitoring patient's response to the diagnosis of cancer and adjustment to the treatment regimen. Strong knowledege of diagnostic testing normally used in oncology helpful. Better than average ability in math necessary to follow protocol requirements recommended. Must have reliable transportation to go to medical oncologists offices and all SJH campuses.

I asked what exactly is a Protocol Nurse. I have never heard the term before...the levels of Nursing degrees are RN, BSN, etc... From your job description that you posted, it appears that Protocol refers to the job they are performing. I had never heard Sabrina Gast being referred to as a Protocol Nurse. Also, I specifically said that I wasn't trying to be mean, but I wanted to know what one was. I have never heard of a Protocol Nurse, and I have worked at two hospitals here. Usually you follow protocols a.k.a. SOP's.

Talk about being critical...

I could not agree more. Sabrina Gast has all the qualifications for the job and the honesty and integrity also. I did not vote for Doug McKown and I still want Sabrina Gast in office so therefore the general statement made that the same people who voted for Doug want Sabrina in is not the case as far as I go. I don't know Pete Skidmore however I have heard several things in the community that made me question his integrity therefore my vote goes to Sabrina Gast. She has done a fine job since replacing McKown. The election can't come fast enough and I hope and pray that noone I know has to be subjected to McKown before he officially is out of office.

Thats right!!! I have not voted and never will for McKown. I plan on voting for Sabrina Gast she brought integrity back into that office and I believe she is the best candidate for the job. There are several people in York County that have said to me over the years that they have seen seen McKown take illegal drugs. He is far from innocent. There is an old saying guilt by association.

Did anyone attend the race last weekend to see the
"Doug McKown-Free at Last" banner on top of one of the
tents-such a proud moment for York County. Found not guilty means nothing. The fact that he was aware of and around improper activity is the issue-serious improper activity at
that. That is not including the ethics violation. Neither of these things are becoming of an elected official. He should have done the honorable thing-apologized to the voters of York County and stayed out of office.

I know this, that he is guilty of doing drugs and selling drugs unfortunatly in court it was his friends/partners in crime who are also shady characters testfying against him and therefore they were not credible just like him. I guess you must of watched a different video then I did because the one I watched showed him present at the drug exchange!! He is guilty by his own statements of ethic violations. In which he used government money (our tax money) for financial gain I guess that does not bother cgross!!!!!

I couldn't have said it better myself, you are 100% correct - its is a sad day for York County