The five candidates are Bob Cook, Brent Holbrooks, Dereck E. Jones, Chris Browning and Clay Bryson. Candidates were asked to provide a short bio and were asked the same questions. I want to get into office, make the changes necessary and train the leaders of tomorrow within my agency.. He wants to have six deputies working per shift including a K9 unit on a regular patrol shift. I believe in adequate coverage for all citizens. There are those that you arrest, and when they get in the jail setting, we need to make sure we have the adequate resources for them, he said. Dereck Jones and his wife Jessica who works as a public health nurse have three children. Outside of Old Fort, the Western North Carolina railroad bends around Andrews Geyser. Items below are placed at the cadidates request, in the order received. . So when I go in, Im going in with a fresh, clear head looking at the problems we have, he said. Venus and Jupiter are going in for a nighttime kiss, Santorum joins North Carolina House GOP to push convention, UNCG School of Nursing plans to move its Ph.D. program entirely online, Author Kate Zernike dissects the years-long fight for gender equality at MIT, Graham and Jackson Counties vote in runoff elections, Judge releases dashcam video of Cawthorn driving while his license was revoked, The Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan received about 800 eligible objections, heres what happens now, Reaction to Cawthorn's move varies across WNC, Lost or forgotten no more: Incarcerated Black laborers that built WNC railroad memorialized. I have a proven track record of doing just that while being the jail administrator since 2018. My pride is my family as I am a dedicated father of three young children that attend the Highlands School where my wife, Sarah, serves as the Vice Principal and is finishing her 12th year in the MCS system. To view listings in your area, search by state below. For all the drugs coming out of Atlanta, Athens, right through Macon County, into Jackson County, Swain County.. To me its the passion I have inside and the fact I feel led to be where Im at, and I want to continue giving.. 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. Well start with these intermediate community drug dealers and work our way up., He believes for too long the system has been set up to work from the top down with officers on the lookout for the big guys., Weve never got the big guy here. He thinks the solution is starting at the bottom with the local dealers. During interviews and appearances at several recent forums, all five candidates agree the drug problem is the number one issue facing the county. 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.. With six deputies on duty, that will allow one each in Highlands and Nantahala with the remainder covering the rest of the county. Waynesville is Haywood Countys only municipal government that elects all of its members, A group of Macon County residents and library patrons attended a Feb. 7 library board, Theres some truth to the old clich that one readily recognizable sound is the ultimate, As Macon County looks ahead to fiscal year 2023-24, the county has big decisions to make. I am committed to fair and equal treatment of all citizens. 331 talking about this. His education program would include more trained School Resource Officers, including a roving K9 unit and K9 demonstrations in the schools. After 20 years of doing things the same way its time for a whole different approach and attitude.. The Detention Center is one of the highest liability areas in the Agency., Jones: Personnel. I will not edit, change, or omit anything. I obtained my law enforcement certification from Southwestern Community College and I began working at the Macon County Sherrifs Department in 1999. I want to talk to them and find out what they need., He wants to increase patrol coverage to cover all parts of the county. Next, he wants to ensure drug laws are enforced within MCSO jurisdiction. Brent Holbrooks was the top vote getter. They will appear in the same order as they are returned to me. He says increasing community patrols will be important in curbing the drug issues as well as other criminal activity. He was promoted to captain just when the office was restructured and the entire command staff received that rank. He said he decided to run because he wants to be part of moving the the office forward. Cody Moore has officially announced his candidacy for the 2022 election . It's not a new car just big thoughts on planet Earth, Look up! I will then print each candidates response to the questions in their entirety. I have stated before and will state it again, the agency will be reorganized and all areas of the county will have adequate coverage at no additional cost to the taxpayer. I will press for community-related policies that prompt our Deputies to work with other stakeholders as role models so that, together, our investment in the younger generation yields solid and measurable results. My career choice in law enforcement dates back three generations! It just happens to be a political position, but I am elected by the people and always for the people. I will make sure my people are responsible for doing their jobs., Cook said during his law enforcement career he was exposed to every facet of drug-related crimes. Bryson said his education and his years with the department have given him boots-on-the ground experience coupled with administrative duties such as managing a budget, writing policy and implementing programs. Those residents deserve the same response and service from the Macon County Sheriffs Office as someone who lives in the center of town. I enrolled in Basic Law Enforcement Training at Southwestern Community College in the Fall of 1999 to begin my career and on April 11, 2000, On my 21st birthday, I took my Oath of Office with the Macon County Sheriffs Office. Bryson said more must be done on the enforcement end as well and wants to have a task force including the Sheriffs Office and the Franklin and Highlands police departments. At over 500 square miles, the majority of Macon County sits outside of the Franklin town limits. 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. Next, I will meet with the Assistant Supervisor in Charge of the DEA as well as other federal authorities to discuss our needs. Robin Gunnels was born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina and moved to Sylva in 1983. Breeden for School Board Facebook Page Antoine for Commisioner Facebook Link 2019 Citizen of the Year Article CONTACT US Mailing Address: Macon County Republican Party PO Box 595 Franklin, NC 28744 Email: maconrepublicans@gmail IN GOD WE TRUST Bryson: Having the unique advantage of experiencing first-hand the multitude of ways law enforcement serves Macon County, I promise to lead the Macon County Sheriffs Office with experience and integrity to best serve the community as Macon Countys next Sheriff. 94.1 Lumberton 99.9 Southern Pines, Courtesy of North Carolina Board of Elections. Candidate Profiles: Macon County Sheriff Candidates By The Southern Scoop on April 26, 2022 Candidate Profiles for Macon County Sheriff Candidate Clay Bryson and Brent Holbrooks, the two candidates to respond to interview questions for The Southern Scoop News. His philosophy is to lead by example. The order the candidate answers will appear will be determined by order responses are received. Clay Bryson says he has been led to where he is now, having spent his entire adult career in law enforcement, I love giving back, he said. 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. He says he will be running as a Republican candidate. Individuals and organizations had 60-days for final objections on the plan but only if they had previously commented. I decided to enter the race as a candidate to make a difference not only in the lives of the citizens of Macon County, but also in the operation of the Sheriffs Office., Jones: Macon County is my home. The many be new to Macon County, but they are tried, and true methods used in most areas in the country. This is something I believe we desperately need, he said. We need to be helping those who need help and want help, he said. 5) Any closing words you want to say to voters. I worked the road, and when working the road, you have to know the ins and outs of the drug trade, he said. Its the highest liability position, and during the last three and a half years, Ive had the opportunities administratively to work on the budget with the chief deputy, Jones said. I also have been the affiant on 99 separate telephone facility wire intercepts. Im a law enforcement professional seeking to do what needs to be done through community involvement, he said. Weve got to reach out.. In the event that does not happen, the second highest vote-getter can call for a recall, which would be held July 26. Finally, I will be a dedicated public servant, ensuring that your message of what matters most has standing within the Sheriff s Office.. Chris Browning wants to bring change to Macon County and an aggressive approach to the drug problem. 07/07/2017. I will always give you a fair shake, he said. I want to address the issues the citizens tell me about on a near daily basis. It hasnt even been a week since Congressman Madison Cawthorn announced he would run in North Carolinas newly drawn 13th district. The Macon County Sheriff's Office takes a proactive approach to law enforcement--focusing on working WITH the public and preventing crime before it happens. In 2007, Nantahala was given four Deputy positions specifically for the Nantahala area. Its ridiculous.. That is something the military instilled in me. A local man is coming out of retirement to run for Macon County Sheriff next year. This site supports and informs our residents about voting, candidates, and events to promote this cause. I cant be successful as Sheriff without you, which is why I promise to work alongside you to continue to improve the quality of life here in Macon County, together. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. While he said he wants to reorganize the department and shrink it down to something more fiscally manageable, he also wants to increase patrols to certain outlying areas, such as Otto and Cowee. Do we need to add on to our facility? Quiz yourself on Black history. The transition period will be so important, he said. The five candidates are Bob Cook, Brent Holbrooks, Dereck E. Jones, Chris Browning and Clay Bryson. Brent Holbrooks in Macon County won the. The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. I was the first detective in North Florida to investigate food stamp fraud.. This election is not about me, its about you, meaning the public, and of course, our youth.. My approach to attacking Macon Countys drug problem centers around pooling resources and looking at all angles. Dereck Jones began his law enforcement career in 2005 and has worked his way through the ranks, currently serving as a captain and jail administrator. We firmly believe that, working together, we CAN make a positive difference in our community. I had people tell me they wouldnt vote for anyone from the Macon County Sheriffs Office, he said. He said all professions have bad apples and some young people are growing up with a negative impression of law enforcement. I want the voters to know they can rely on me. 86 SUMMIT DR FRANKLIN, NC 28734 Combine that with the body scanner and it will be a much safer situation for everybody, he said. I have served as a detention officer, deputy sheriff, corporal/field training officer, Special Response Team, patrol sergeant, juvenile investigator, criminal investigator, lieutenant, and currently captain jail administrator who has overseen a budget of at least $2.5 million and was tasked with updating the detention center policies and procedures in 2019, said Jones. 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. Lilly Knoepp serves as BPRs first fulltime reporter covering Western North Carolina. From there, he began working his way through the ranks as a corporal, sergeant, first sergeant, narcotics investigator, SWAT commander, K9 Supervisor/ Trainer, and now as Captain over Patrol. Cook: While each area can be improved upon, the Investigations area can use some improving. We can strengthen the response in several ways. He says that starts with the community drug dealers. Republican Chris Browning, also running for sheriff, did not return multiple phone calls and Facebook messages requesting an interview for this story. What Otto needs from me as Sheriff may be different from what Highlands needs and I want to hear that from those who work and live in those communities every day. He says it is important for the department to have officers in the community. 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. Weve got to do what we can and deal with them appropriately when they get here.. The Southern Scoop News sent the following email to all candidates for Macon County Sheriff and posted the same text on Facebook for full transparency: As all of you know, I have made the decision to not cover the Macon County Sheriffs Election. They will be able to count on me and I will not let them down. I serve on several boards for the youth league sports, including the little league boys basketball and baseball., Bryson: This is my first time running for an elected position., Bryson: With Sheriff Hollands announcement that he will be retiring at the end of his current term, after much prayer and with the support of my family, I decided that I wanted to be part of progressing the sheriffs office forward. Jones: Combating the drug epidemic, community relations/partnerships, and training in specific areas. I am not looking for another career or a position for the next 20 years. In 2018, he was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant and became the detention center administrator. 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. I am the only candidate who can confidently stand on my record as a law enforcement officer in Macon County. Macon County Sheriffs Office alone cannot fight the drug problem, he said, adding that the department must continue to partner with other agencies. Jones: I have spoken to many residents across the county who share the same concerns as the Nantahala community whether they live there or not. Holbrooks says drugs is the number one problem facing the county. The Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School girls basketball team made history again Saturday in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, winning the programs first back-to-back state championship title. Next, I would take the four K-9 Officers and place one per shift. Bryson said drugs would obviously be a top concern for his administration, but he wont promise to take all drugs off the streets, something he sees as impossible given the nature of the trafficking network. Since 2012, hes also trained canines not only for MCSO but also other regional agencies. While the county also makes money housing inmates from other counties, Browning said if a facility were built to federal code, the county could be paid to house federal inmates. It just happens to be a political position, but I am elected by the people and always for the people. I will do everything in my power to curb the drug issues Macon County is facing, but the reality is it will never be gone.. Moore had served in law enforcement for 31 years. The evidence is there., As part of fighting the drug problem, Browning wants to add more resources to the narcotics division. Three of my opponents are working there and they dont have their law enforcement retirements, they have their eye on the future as far as reelection, he said. In 2010, I transferred from road Corporal to Corporal over Civil Process and Courthouse Security. What I am willing to do is to send all candidates the exact same questions, and these questions are basic get to know you questions and nothing more. Bryson is the proud father of four daughters and in 2019 became a grandfather for the first time. This week is Part I of the sheriff's candidate profiles with Clay Bryson, Bob Cook and Dereck Jones. Graham County will choose a Republican sheriff and Jackson County will choose a school board seat. 2022 Election --- Office of Sheriff Updated: 01/09/2023 3:37pm SHERIFF PRIMARY ELECTION POTENTIAL 2ND PRIMARY GENERAL ELECTION SHERIFF Cabarrus Sheriff Van Shaw (R) Sheriff Van Shaw (R) Caldwell Sheriff Alan C. Jones (R) Sheriff Alan C. Jones (R) Camden Sheriff Kevin Jones (R) Sheriff Kevin Jones (R) Carteret Sheriff Asa B. Buck, III (R) Sheriff Asa B. Buck, III (R) Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation a grandfather for the people and for! 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