Sheriff 'furious' about proposal

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A war of words is brewing between Mecklenburg County Sheriff Jim Pendergraph and county leaders.

Pendergraph held a news conference at Jail Central on Friday afternoon to respond to news that County Commissioners are considering stripping the Sheriff’s Office of its control over the jails.

"This is totally disrespectful of me and my dedicated staff and I'm furious!" Pendergraph said.

Though he’s leaving his position after 13 years at the end of next month, he says he won't go quietly. That's after he learned late Thursday that the County Commission is considering hiring a private administrator to oversee the jails once he's gone.

"I did not start this war but I assure you I am up to the fight," he said.

The Sheriff told a standing room only crowd at the news conference that he had no knowledge of the proposal in advance.

"It appears to me to be a political power grab to remove the voters from the process of electing someone to operate this large organization and to be sheriff,” Pendergraph said.

County Commission Vice Chairman Parks Helms made the proposal in what he calls the "best interest of the county."

He and County Manager Harry Jones worry once Pendergraph has left; a less competent person could be elected to operate the county's swelling jails.

"We've been very fortunate to have Jim Pendergraph as our sheriff,” Jones told WCNC. “He is highly professionally. With that said, is it wrong for the county commission to provide this public service? That's what I've been asked to study and that's what I'm going to do."

Jones said he plans to make a recommendation in the next four to six weeks, around the time that Pendergraph officially leave office.

Meantime, Pendergraph is still pushing to have his Chief Deputy Chip Bailey appointed to the position of Sheriff and still maintain power over the jails.