The heart of the issue with Mrs. Bullard’s actions is that if she was doing the same thing, anything, as Hodge, be it store furniture or give herself raises, it puts her, as an accuser, in people’s eyes, of being no better than he. You cannot go after folks with the power & prestige of those accused here with the slighest amount of dirt on your hands.

Furthermore, any lawyer, judge, or anyone in the related field will tell you that if you wish to address issues these big with folks this powerful, you’d best keep your head together and your mouth shut. There is no room for emotions to be at play, nor do you behave subjectively. You do not show the entire hand you’re playing. You don’t tell everyone everything.

I learned that the hard way.

I regret that Mrs. Bullard has suffered because of this, but by resigning, doing the same petty stuff Hodge was doing, and by wearing her heart on her sleeve, it has cost her dearly with regard to public opinion and the investigation. Has she helped lots of folks? Absolutely. Does she care? Hell yes, moreso than most. Is she admired and respected? Yes. Just wish she had played a better hand against these folks. Fire with fire, and there’s no room for emotions or weakness to be displayed. They are smarter than that. The people fighting them should be, must be, as well.

I do wish her the best and hope to see her successful in this investigation and in her work, if she chooses to remain in the field. The manner in which too many in our local and state government chews people up and spits them out in the name of what is essentially corruption and a furthering of their own agenda is sickening. I hope to see if change. I hope to see justice.

Calling people dumb because they’re blond is just foolish.

Furthermore, was there not mention of Mrs. Bullard giving herself pay raises? How tight were Bullard & Hodge for how many years until suddenly the bottom drops out of the organization? She had no idea, nor any inclination, to report some in law enforcement & other areas until now? I believe it simply turned into a power struggle between Hodge & Bullard and that’s the story in a nutshell.

That being said, do I believe Hodge and some others mentioned here are guilty? No doubt in my mind. However, he at least wasn’t foolish enough to go around calling everyone in law enforcement and otherwise incompetent or useless.

There have been far more serious allegations of sexual abuse against children by a board member, a link was provided to one local official documenting the fact that they misappropriated victims funds, allegations of a law enforcement captain’s involvement with a chop-shop deal, a homosexual bust regarding prostitution at a Florence rest stop, shady real estate deals, officials owing the ethics committee in Cola. money for fines, on and on. I feel that the FBI should refocus their investigation into those allegations.

Mercy Ministries has been shady from the beginning. A lot of folks I have spoken with didn’t even know of their existence until this blew up. I know it won’t happen because of security reasons, but I’d love to know exactly how many women and children MM has helped, considering they had access to over a million dollars. I say dissolve MM or pair it up with an organization like McCarn or Pee Dee Coalition, they do a good job.

Here is my question. How long has the old retirement home/new domestic violence shelter on US-1 sat empty now? Wasn’t that supposed to be the crown jewel of Mercy Ministries?

Why hate on Ms. Bullard? She just followed suit of other board members including the Chairman… whom I might add, stored some of his personal belongings at the facility. As to her resignation, why continue to be a part of an organization that clearly has no purpose, but yet has access to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Have you EVER seen any evidence of a ministry there? Absolutely NOT. In all fairness, if you question Ms. Bullard’s integrity, then hold the other board members to the same litmus test. Ms. Bullard my hat is off to you. You bravery is to be commended.

Worst of all, Mrs. Bullard, you resigned. You should have stood your ground if you had the evidence and did no wrong. I’m not saying anyone is guilty or innocent in the circle of MM, I don’t know. I would believe anything about those in the political circle around here, but when did you notice something was wrong? Can people fully believe you did nothing wrong, not even make a mistake the entire time you worked for MM? Did you partake of any of the perks that you say others did? Just asking.

For the folks who are unaware of my current battle with Mercy Ministries (Mary Anderson, Rev. Diana Charles and Jay Hodge), here goes:
During a renovation to my home, I temporary stored my personal items from my basement, my son’s room and the garage, in one of the bays of Mercy Ministries property. This is common practice done by employees and Board Members alike. In fact, Hodge had several people loading his personal property into the adjoining bay, today.

The “Legal process” I am enduring entails, A Claim and Delivery (cost of 65.00), naming every piece, every item, value included, detailed description of all items and/or receipts!
I don’t know how many people can name every item that came of their basement, garage and room of their teen-aged sons? That is what the “Court” has forced me to do! Like most people, I have many items that I cannot name. I have many items that are VERY dear to me. My Grandmother’s China, our family photos, my sons’ jackets and baseball gloves: to name a few.

I am however surprised by the Board Members lack of honesty, decency and integrity. Even in Chesterfield County, two votes against one, still is a majority!

I appreciate the “Kudos” and “Thank God someone has stood up to him,” comments, but this should not be a one on fight. We all live in this county!

My husband John and I realize that because the way the court system in this county is “handled” we my not regain out items and the memories that go along with them!
I have come to learn, in this county, there is no justice!

Is Mr. Vick still receiving money from the solicitor’s office, plus a cell phone? Does our mayor and one other council member owe fines to the Ethics Commitee in Columbia? What were they for? Did a Cheraw magistrate misappropriate victim’s funds? If all this is true, why are they still in office? The talk about some in Cheraw Police Dept. is awful, not to mention embarrassing.

I have friends from out of town who won’t even come visit. Other than there being nothing to do but eat out and golf, they stated they would be afraid to even drive through the town. Thanks to a few, this town is indeed the laughing stock of the Pee Dee. I hope all the doo hits the fan. Maybe once it’s out in the open it can be cleaned up.

I want you to know that I know what you are experiencing. I just had a 30 minute conversation with someone who is familiar with you and your efforts to regain YOUR personal property from the clutches of the swine leadership of “Mercy Ministries”. She went on to tell me how this organization is using their reaches into local magistrates. I have made a telephone call for assistance and some oversight. Rest assured, “Mercy Ministries” leadership are not as close as it would appear… there is definitely a fraction within.