Fun story in the Democrat-Gazette this morning about the firing of a coroner’s office worker, Yameshia Thornton, who reportedly tossed a vase at Chief Deputy Coroner Patrick McElroy as she was leaving the office. She told the D-G McElroy had disrespected her. Respect and Thornton are an interesting pairing, given the content of text messages released on her conversations with McElroy about her absences from the office.
I got a copy of the conversation from County Attorney Karla Burnett through an FOI request. I also got some additional information — the public e-mail record [many e-mails were redacted as purely personal] of fired Coroner Garland Camper, who hired Thornton originally. He certainly was a flirtatious cuss with reporters who gave him extensive coverage that ultimately came to be a factor in his dismissal by Judge Buddy Villines. He was mindful, if not mindful enough, that the public might be able to see some of his e-mails. For example:
CAMPER to a reporter’s note that isn’t in the FOI document: Now what was so steamy about what I said I never commented about what you ever wore even though you wore them well. See I knew not to say anything because it would be considered flirting or making a pass. If I make a pass you would know it.
REPORTER: And this is your county email. Don’t you have personal email?
CAMPER: I guess youbwill[sic] have to come and set me up a personel[sic] email
REPORTER: I know how to do it on blackberry. But you could use yahoo or something. Have you learned nothing from quillin [Ron Quillin, the former county comptroller who went to jail for misspending county money and who left a trail of steamy e-mails with a county vendor]? I’ll write you nothing I don’t want the world to see in a foia
CAMPER: Same here for now until I set up the new email. But they still can request then if they are accessed through the server or at my desk can’t they. I like the way you changed the subject. I guess that means I won.
CAMPER to another reporter:
Thank you also. I waited for 1 and a half years to be interview by you. If I can ever help you with anything feel free to call anytime.
The texts between Thornton and McElroy follow.