Butte County States Atty Heather Plunkett was kind enough to offer the following statement to dakotawarcollege.com this evening regarding her arrest, and today’s court proceedings:
Today I took responsibility for my actions in court but feel that I also owe the people of Butte County a formal apology as well as an expression of gratitude for the patience they have shown me in the last couple of weeks. At a later date, I will issue a more in depth statement detailing my intentions concerning my position as State’s Attorney. Additionally, I will be sentenced on February 5, 2015 at 1:30 pm and encourage the public to attend.
As noted in the immediately preceding post, Heather entered a plea of guilty today to possession of marijuana, less than 2 ounces, possession of drug paraphernalia, and ingesting substance other than alcohol. All were misdemeanor charges.
I wonder if she’ll be allowed to keep her job as state’s attorney because she’s a Republican. She’s vice chair of the Butte County Republican Party Central Committee.
Heather is quite aware of where she stands and what the future holds regarding both her position as SA and that as vice chair for the county GOP. I can’t speak for her duties as an officer of the court however I recently sent a message to the entire county central committee as well as my executive board concerning Heather and where she stands regarding her position as an officer of the party. I simply stated that I was not going to supersede the rule of law and before any action was taken we would wait for both the Christmas season to pass as well as the trial or sentencing. I still stand behind my deliberate pace and any mob-like demand to seek a resignation seems to have “simmered down” a bit, realizing a season for honoring Judeo-Christian dedication to good will is hardly a time for “shedding blood” even if it is proverbially done so through termination of position. The only clumsy, heartless demands still being poured into my mailbox are generally those of a nature unconnected to Butte County and being attached a reckless, loud vocal minority that seems to exist for the sole purpose of showcasing every Republican action as some form of weak justification of validity for their own paranoid musings. More importantly for Heather though is the patience that not just the GOP in Butte County has afforded her but the residents as a whole. This has been difficult for her and her family. I have been in constant contact with my vice chair and in addition to her remorse concerning her actions, I can attest to her concern for the residents of Butte County regardless of any attachment to any one political party. She knows what actions I will take and she understands her responsibility in those decisions. However again, Christmas time is hardly the time to knot up a noose and though this is far from my intent anyway, I will grant her and her family a chance to relax and appreciate the season before a new year means dealing with any necessary county party business.
Heather did an awfully lot for the Citizens of Butte County over the 5+ years as their “Officer in Chief” and Protector of her Citizens she represented! Sent accused and convicted felons of Rape, spousal abuse,, child abuse to Prison where they belonged! Animal abuse and other crimes of man were prosecuted and she educated her City Police force on various issues and was part of a task force for Child Issues and other things that benefited Butte County! She wanted to establish and implement NEW IDEAS that would Improve the Court System that was ill recieved my her so called “HIGHER UPS” who just adhered to the “OLD WAYS” of doing things their old and reactionary ways! Low behold you challenge those Old ways!! Change never comes easy and it challenges the very Fabric of the OLD and USELESS guard!! Shame on those that hold back new thinking to produce new and better results to save BUTTE COUNTY money and make the judicial system fairer for her citizens!! Heather was wrong, she taking ACCOUNTABILITY and will pay the price for her mis-judgement! BUT never think she is a useless and non-caring Law Professional and great caring woman,wife and mother! She’ll be back! She will “STEP UP TO THE PLATE” again! This story is far from over folks!
Didn’t the State GOP install her as vice chairman after the prior county leadership asked Rhoden to sign a pledge to support the republican platform?
No! She was elected by the central committee of Butte County GOP per the bylaws. The state GOP had nothing to do with it. Many of us in the county party worked hard to insure that the party election was a Butte County endeavor only. To be honest too, the state offered very little help even when advice was sought on my part. Individuals serving in offices of the state party were basically involved only for certifying an election. The reality of what you posted is just a fairy tale. My predecessor did activate a pledge but it had nothing to do with Larry Rhoden nor did that somehow bring about Heather Plunkett’s election into her position as vice chair. In fact, I learned recently that many in the party across our state were surprised to learned she has served as a party officer in Butte County. Your statement is rather ironic too given the nature of Miss Plunkett’s very “independent” approach to party politics. Nothing I need to explain here. However, I have no comment regarding the pledge you speak of as I have nothing but admiration for my predecessor and respect for any actions of his prior to my term. To make this as elementary as it possibly can be, Miss Plunkett sought the position of vice chair and ran for it, thereby being elected into it. It’s that simple. I am sorry it’s not more exciting than that! No conspiracy worthy of the movie of the week. About as interesting as a slab of uncooked meat on a cold plate! However, if anyone ever wishes to discuss this more, my phone does receive calls. Anyone is welcome to visit with me anytime for a more in-depth explanation.
I’m not at all in favor of drugs or legalizing drugs, but it seems that the higher you are up in the political arena, the less likely you are to be prosecuted for any wrongdoing. Double standard?
I’m liking this Lon Carrier guy…. he ha guts and makes his points well.
The Butte County GOP seems to be in good hands.