Ill pat you on the back when you do a great job, but if you go against my policy, youll suffer the consequences., He said employees want to be treated fairly and equally. Lilly Knoepp serves as BPRs first fulltime reporter covering Western North Carolina. Current Candidate List for Macon, Jackson, and Swain Counties: Macon County: Board of Commissioners District 1: Don Wilis- Republican John Shearl- Republican Board of Commissioners District 2: Ronnie Beale- Democrat Betty Cloer Wallace- Democrat Gary Shields- Republican Richard Lightner- Republican Danny Antoine- Republican The following is a combination of information from in-person interviews each candidate did with The Franklin Press and answers they provided via a questionnaire from The Press. Leading up to the primary, The Macon County News is publishing candidate profiles for local offices. My family and I attend Community Bible Church in Highlands and am an active member of the community I love so much.. Bryson said his interest in law enforcement flourished after participating in a youth program under former Sheriff Homer Holbrooks. They wanted a change in leadership. I have proudly served under Sheriff Robbie Holland in a variety of progressively more responsible leadership roles that I hope to have culminate in being elected Sheriff in 2022. . I hear that everywhere I go, he said. He said while Macon County remains a small community, we are growing and with that comes more and more problems. This is evidenced by my direct involvement in our schools, churches and as my passion as a coach and volunteer.. Itd be a reconstruction of the whole department.. My career choice in law enforcement dates back three generations! In our spare time, we enjoy spending time outdoors and with our family. Id be happy if they had a term limit.. Town of Waynesville will pursue staggered terms for aldermen, Residents object to LGBTQ literature at Macon library, After two weeks in court, a hung jury leads to mistrial in Knibbs case, Macon starts budget in good financial health. Root, who was sworn in as sheriff on Monday, June 21, was part of a court battle. I intend on installing a drug tip hot line and making the supervisor over narcotics responsible to responses to the complaints. During his career he has spoken to communities about crime prevention techniques, spent time working with community and school programs, and currently serves as an instructor for the Sheriffs Office Citizens Academy. Sheriff Robbie Holland, who is retiring this year, told BPR that he would be happy if any of the current officers were elected. The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Its usually more so in the local elections. Holbrooks noted that he has experience far beyond just encounters during patrol. Items below are placed at the cadidates request, in the order received. He said extra patrolling will also be helpful in fighting the drug problem, because the people running and dealing drugs like to hang out in places where they dont see patrols. I want to get into office, make the changes necessary and train the leaders of tomorrow within my agency.. Other officers are the best recruiters Ive got.. The proposals I have made thus far are not new ideas. He said he would use the tough but caring philosophy he learned in the military. Of course, others may step up to run for the office, but Root will be a tough incumbent to beat, considering everything that happened in the 2018 race aftermath. It's Official, There's A New Sheriff (candidate) In Town. Six counties in the westernmost part of North Carolina elected new sheriffs in the primary election. He worked for Western Carolina University Police for almost 14 years before moving on to work at the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. I will promise to always give my best effort . Born and raised in Newton, Iowa, Cook joined the Navy in 1972 and served until 1992 as a personnel specialist. I feel that my experience in that area coupled with my leadership and management experience makes me uniquely and more qualified to address the burgeoning drug problem. Brent Holbrooks Both Sarah and I enjoy coaching our little ones in community league sports, we also volunteer with various youth and childrens programs at Cowee Church, where we are both members. They were never stationed out there. This proactive approach, outside of the day-to-day in-school role of an SRO will increase the responsibility of SROs to be entire community representatives. In the past, I have worked as an undercover narcotics officer and bought drugs undercover in neighboring counties, he said. This is where I grew up; where my children and grandchildren are growing up. The order the candidate answers will appear will be determined by order responses are received. Next, I would take the four K-9 Officers and place one per shift. Sheriff Robbie Holland, who is retiring this year, told BPR that he would be happy if any of the current officers were elected. Holbrooks said while he may not know every aspect that goes into running the Sheriffs Office, he will surround himself with others who can help him learn. It was there that he was mentored by Holland before Holland was ever elected to his current position. As such, I have had to learn to step back and look at whatever the situation is and think outside the box to develop a successful plan of attack. The North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force (Task Force) has submitted its 2023 Annual Report to Governor Cooper and the NC General Assembly. In addition, Bryson has served on the SRT for years and has been its commander since 2012. But Im not working in that system. I have a proven track record of doing just that while being the jail administrator since 2018. I want to address the issues the citizens tell me about on a near daily basis. The SROs are vigilant; they keep their eyes open, he said. Were building leaders not just for today, but for tomorrow.. Since April 2021, I have made the proposal to get patrol coverage to not only Nantahala, but to Scaly Mountain, Otto and the Cowee area among others. It isnt as simple as promising extra bodies in remote areas its a complex puzzle of peak call times, types of calls received, areas that can afford to go with less to bolster other areas of need. Filing Date. How do you think law enforcement can strengthen its response to these problems? He says he would put together a proposal that looks at what is being spent now compared to what a new facility would cost or could generate in revenue. The only elections here in Western North Carolina are runoffs. OFFICE OF SHERIFF STATE-BY-STATE ELECTIONS INFORMATION STATE Elections Division Website State Elections Division Sheriffs' Election Info No. Incarceration isnt going to solve the tragedy impacting our friends and neighbors struggling with drug addictions. I am the only candidate who can confidently stand on my record as a law enforcement officer in Macon County. Bryson: The drug tragedy in Macon County continues to grow; drug dealers are advancing quicker than law enforcement resources can evolve and it seems like we are always one step behind. Just like criminal enterprise is constantly evolving, so is law enforcement and I want to ensure that we evolve quicker and smarter for the betterment of my friends and neighbors., Cook: I am running for office because I see a need for a course correction. He has three years of college through the Columbia College, Columbia, Mo., and an Associates in Arts degree through the Los Angeles Community College. I worked for the of Franklin While I eagerly awaited my 21 birthday, when I could begin the BLET program. Bryson: I believe one significant area of improvement within the Sheriffs Office comes with building community relations. Most of these concerns centered around the drug problem in Macon County. I worked the road, and when working the road, you have to know the ins and outs of the drug trade, he said. I want them to know that I will never knowingly let them down. His education program would include more trained School Resource Officers, including a roving K9 unit and K9 demonstrations in the schools. Next, he wants to ensure drug laws are enforced within MCSO jurisdiction. I am a man of my word. Sheriff Robert Holland announced on June 18 that he would Premium Content is available to subscribers only. You never know where WUNC's events will take you. 5) Any closing words you want to say to voters. I want to further our agency just as Sheriff Holland has worked to do for many years. Name on Ballot. I am not looking for another career or a position for the next 20 years. Questions for the Macon County Sheriff candidates. I want to work with other agencies around the area (city and county), state, and federal agencies and pool our resources to combat the ever growing drug problem. The goal is to make it better for everybody in this county., Cook said improvements need to be made to the existing jail and eventually the county will need a new facility. He said law enforcement was once a respected profession but is now often looked at as a necessary evil.. During interviews and appearances at several recent forums, all five candidates agree the drug problem is the number one issue facing the county. The men and women who make up the agency from administrative units, to courthouse security or from patrol to investigations are dedicated to making Macon County better not only for their families, but for yours and for mine. I worked at Jacksonville Beach Police Department for two and a half years then transferred over to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office and stayed 22 years there, Cook said. During that time, he says he has seen from the outside how the Sheriffs Office operates and has a general idea of how theyre doing things. Just like criminal enterprise is constantly evolving, so is law enforcement, and I want to ensure that we evolve quicker and smarter for the betterment of my friends and neighbors.. He said competitive wages are helpful in recruitment and keeping officers. While hed owned property in Franklin since 1999, he and his late wife moved up permanently in 2015. We need to be helping those who need help and want help, he said. 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