Mountain Xpress has the story. Look for much more on this battle soon:
“Buncombe County officials are considering policy changes regarding the use of county vehicles, after receiving a complaint from the public that Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department deputies were using their patrol cars to take their children to school.
“The complaint has triggered an avalanche of e-mail discussion between Sheriff Van Duncan and Buncombe County ManagerWanda Greene, as well as county commissioners. The disagreement also highlights a bigger battle being waged between Duncan — and elected official who serves as the county’s top law enforcement officer, and Greene — the county’s most powerful administrator. It’s a battle over the administrative functions of a department working to re-establish itself after being tarnished in Buncombe County’s largest corruption scandal, following the arrest and conviction of former Sheriff Bobby Medford on federal charges related to illegal gambling.”