Florence District 4/The Thief Isn't So Innocent

It’s hard to say if District 4 in Florence is a more hotly contested race than District 1; both are pivotal for Florence if it’s to take a new direction. We made no recommendation in the first primary and we’re not making one in the runoff. Why?

No one who blogs here lives in District 4. The rhetoric surrounding this race has ranged from bought votes to theft. What’s the truth? If you live in District 4, we suggest you dig deeply for that elusive quality. We’re happy to publish readers’ comments.

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Most Wanted Lists? Why is a person on a most wanted list? He or she allegedly committed a crime. Not only has this person committed a crime, he or she has run from facing the consequences of this crime.

No, all crimes aren’t equal, but stealing four or five hundred dollars from a retail concern is no small matter, especially if you’re already on probation for bank robbery. If you’re wondering why we’re addressing this now, earlier today we received an absolutely charming message from the niece of the man who’s wanted in Colbert County for this exact crime. The message contained more filth than most garbage collectors see in a week, so needless to say she lost her privilege to contact this site.

What happens when you steal $500.00 from a retail concern? (We’re using an arbitrarily rounded amount.)

* The vendor is still liable for sales tax of $50.00 to the state.

* The vendor is still liable for paying his vendor the original cost of the merchandise, around $225.00.

* The vendor may be responsible for a bank fee (Yes, that actually happens with some banks).

* The vendor has lost time in stocking and unstocking merchandise for which he’ll never see a financial return.

* The vendor himself may have bounced a check due to your crime.

* The vendor is out still more money when he has to pay a charge for the district attorney’s office to collect the check.

Ah, but you say (yes, someone sent us a copy of your FB post) you knew nothing about it. Really?

* Your bank should have sent you an overdraft notice.

* Your bank statement would not have shown the check as cleared.

* The business you defrauded would have attempted to contact you.

* The district attorney’s office would have attempted to contact you to tell you a warrant had been issued for your arrest.

* Your name and photo have been plastered on at least FIVE sites that we know of. Surely someone would have mentioned this to you in the intervening four weeks.

Aside from a select few of your friends and family, whom does the public support? In case you haven’t guessed, it isn’t you.