Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jul 2001
Source: Sun News (SC)
Copyright: 2001 Sun Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://web.thesunnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/987

COUNCILMAN SHOULD BE SUSPENDED

Gov. Jim Hodges should suspend Vander More Gore from his office as a 
member of Atlantic Beach Town Council until Gore is cleared or 
convicted of federal drug charges.

Gore is presumed innocent until his trial. In the meantime, town 
officials need to be able to function without being tainted by Gore's 
arrest. Gore, two of his sons and two other men were arrested on 
charges of conspiracy to distribute powder and crack cocaine.

The arrests came after an investigation by the Drug Enforcement 
Administration, the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and the State 
Law Enforcement Division.

The five men waived detention hearings Friday and are being held at 
the Florence County Detention Center. If convicted, they could face 
sentences of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $4 million fine and a 
five-year supervised release. They have pleaded innocent.

This is not Gore's first arrest on drug charges, but there is no 
record of him being convicted of 1986 or 1990 charges. The 1990 
charges were dismissed.

Gore has served eight years on Atlantic Beach Town Council. In a 
joint written statement Wednesday, the council said: "I'm sure that 
Councilman Gore will exercise his legal rights and the town will move 
forward with its business."

Gore is entitled to his day in court, but it is vital that the town 
go forward during this time. That will be difficult if Gore is not 
temporarily removed from office.

Gore's indictment could reflect negatively on the town and cause the 
public to lack confidence. As Edgar Dyer, professor of political 
science at Coastal Carolina University, told The Sun News earlier 
this week, the indictment could result in cynicism and damage the 
town's credibility. Town Council is facing difficult decisions and 
needs to be able to continue with the town's business. The governor 
should suspend Gore from the council until the case is resolved.
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe