Allen Tew of Clayton seems to be drifting way from reality. He is the lawyer that brags about carrying a loaded gun in his briefcase! It seems that some guy has been "stalking" him and in Ernest T. Bass fashion, has been tossing bricks into his law office window on weekends. It frightens me that Tew carries a gun at all times! He wrote another rambling humdinger of a letter to the Clayton paper today claiming that the 24/7 state of the art Johnston County 911 Center in Smithfield provides inferior service compared to the receptionist that used to sit at a desk in the Clayton Police Department and take calls. Could it be that his law office is 2 doors from the Police Department and he is mad that his "personal" telephone receptionist sits in Smithfield now at the 911 Center? Clayton wisely switched 911 services to Johnston County at the end of 2005 and the move has greatly enhanced public safety in Clayton. Recently, when some phone lines were down in Clayton knocking out service, the calls would not go through to Johnston County (of, course they wouldn't have worked at 911 if it were at the Clayton PD either). Tew wrote that this was proof that Johnston County 911 was not good for folks in Clayton. I learned from a fireman speaking to a group recently, however, that the calls to Johnston County 911 identified the location of the caller that dialed, even though the voice communication failed. Emergency services could be dispatched to check the situation even when the lines were "down". That is a benefit of the Enhanced 911 Service offered by Johnston County that Clayton was never able to provide! It seems almost everyone but Mr. Tew recognizes that Clayton is safer and better served by the well-equipped and well-trained Johnston County 911 Center. Perhaps his "stalker" (whom Clayton Police arrested and jailed after a 911 call last time) has taken a toll on Mr. Tew's mental acuity. His letters to the Clayton newspaper are an embarrassment, and he does not need to tote a gun.
I must agree and am tired of seeing those editorial rants in the News Star, which apparently serves as this attorneys mouthpiece. As people reach thier golden years they often become scared of change but it is difficult to understand why an attorney cannot see that Clayton must provide qaultiy service for citizens. Small town charm is great but not at the expense of my safety. I prefer a trained professional with state of the art equipment. I for one am tired of the local paper beating up the town, over and over and over. If this attorney writes something worthy of print-print it. If not let the police do thier job and let the paper find somebody who has something constructive to contribute, and print that.
It makes me feel alot safer that he carries a gun @ all times. I will make sure to send some business his way. Everyone has the right to defend themselves, its in the Constitution.
I don't think carrying the concealed gun (providing he has the mandatory training and permits from the Sheriff) concerns me is as much as the Clayton newspaper serving as a personal bully pulpit for his ridiculous rants against progress and the many good things going on in and for the Town of Clayton.
I'm not really that familiar with the circumstances having lived in Clayton for over 12 years!! I have heard a bit about it, however. Is it just me or does the constant stream of attention seem likely to be viewed as antagonistic towards this stalker. Get a camera, get a nighttime guard, keep your gun nearby and live life. I would imagine that this is always a realistic threat to an attorney or any member of the legal system. I just can't see how it keeps going on and on. As for him carrying a gun...it shouldn't frighten anybody really unless you're the stalker and I guess that is the point. Its a message directed to him and that is likely why its a publically acknowledged fact.
I know Allen personally. I don't think you can understand truly unless you have been in the situation that he has been. It has truly damamged him. I mean he really is scared for his life. If he feels safer carrying a concealed weapon & is trained to use it. That is his right. If he wants to rant & rave to the paper he has that right also. If you don't like what he is writing than send your thoughts to that same paper & express them. Allen is a good man & a great attorney this is just a bad thing that is occurring to him. I have been stalked & it is very scary. You never know what could happen to you or when. The way the law was written there was nothing I could do. This is just my opinion as you all are entilted to yours as you so wrote.
Get off of your soapbox. Then he will get off his. There alot of people here who do the same thing. Seen it?
