A reporter with The Randolph Leader newspaper received a threatening note at his home after covering a story about a new ambulance service and the county's 911 service.
Mike McCormick has been with The Randolph Leader since 1996. He covers meetings of agencies across the county, including Randolph County E911, which has only existed for 20 years.
Things became tense when the E911 board started to discuss adding a third ambulance service in rotation. The county currently has only two ambulance companies to serve its over 580 square miles. Emergency Medical Transport is out of Roanoke, and Southern Ambulance Transport is out of Wedowee.
When the new service, Saving Grace EMS, asked to be put on rotation, 911 initially declined. The service could cover the northern part of the county, which Southern Ambulance Transport covers.
McCormick covered the meetings. He told 1819 News he believed the reason for the county not accepting the service was because "they don't like changes."
The attorney representing Saving Grace EMS and its owner, Stephanie Herren, told 1819 News that he also believes the county does not want to make changes. He said that while his client is fighting to stay in business, the people in Randolph County are suffering.
"Saving Grace is certainly prepared and able to meet what reasonable requirements the 911 board or the commission put in place," said attorney Richard Rice. "But it seems like so far, we haven't received any definite criteria. It's changed. One day it's one thing and the next day it's the another. The ones that will really feel the impact is the community. Saving Grace being in business will allow for quicker response calls and the ability to address multiple needs at the same time."
Rice said all companies that meet the criteria should be given a fair shot.
"From our perspective, we feel like we haven't been given a fair opportunity because there are so many moving goal posts," he added.
The Randolph Leader published McCormick's stories on the meetings on May 29, June 26 and July 10.
After returning from a church retreat on July 13, McCormick said he found a threatening note at his home in Wedowee.
"I went out on my front porch and there was a wadded piece of paper laid on my front door mat and I thought, 'Well, what in the world is this?" he remembered. "And so I picked it up and I uncrumpled it and it was a letter. When I read what it said I immediately called the police department."
The letter read, "Stay out of 911s business or else you'll see what happens."
"It kind of shocked me a little bit," McCormick told 1819 News. "It scared my wife to death but you know this is not the first time and probably won't be the last time I've been threatened since working for The Leader."
McCormick said he did not know who left the letter.
"I have my theories," he said. "I presented the letter to the 911 board and of course, all of them were just really appalled and denied involvement with it. It could be somebody on the other side of just some nutcase around here."
The Wedowee Police Department is investigating.
Still, McCormick said he will not be intimidated and will continue to cover issues in the county.
"You know, heck, I may be 67 years old and it may be stupidity, but I mean, nothing scares me anymore," he said.
Since receiving the letter, The Randolph Leader published a story on July 24 reporting the 911 board has decided to bid out ambulance service. However, the county still must determine who will pay subsidies to the company selected.
The board's next meeting is in September, Rice said, which means his client will have to wait even longer to get started. However, residents can still call Saving Grace directly for transport services.
As for McCormick, he is considering installing security cameras and said he will remain vigilant.
"I have a job to do," he added. "And the people of this county look to me and the other people that work with at The Leader to keep them informed."
The Randolph Leader publisher Tim Altork told 1819 News that the letter made him uneasy, but he hoped there was no real threat to put any of his employees in danger.
An attorney representing Randolph County 911 has not returned multiple media inquiries by 1819 News.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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