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. Recruitment and retention of officers is an issue not just locally, but across the country. Macon County NC Sheriff's Campaign Group Cook: I would like the voters to know I am not one that is used to failure. Bryson said the decision to run for sheriff wasnt made lightly and only came after a good deal of prayer and discussion with his family. 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. Jones said fighting the drug epidemic is two pronged: cutting off the drugs on the front end and providing rehabilitation/mental health assistance. Six counties in the westernmost part of North Carolina elected new sheriffs in the primary election. The five candidates are Bob Cook, Brent Holbrooks, Dereck E. Jones, Chris Browning and Clay Bryson. 331 talking about this. I worked the road, and when working the road, you have to know the ins and outs of the drug trade, he said. In our spare time, we enjoy spending time outdoors and with our family. The primary count will be finalized on May 27th and then the recount will happen after that. Bryson and his wife Ariel have been married since 2014 and currently reside in the Cullasaja Community of Macon County. Holbrooks said there is not enough space in the current jail. It just happens to be a political position, but I am elected by the people and always for the people. The video was released after a group of North Carolina media organizations including Blue Ridge Public Radio filed a complaint seeking its release. Please post about new candidates running, your candidate, opinions and talking points. Bob Cook said he isnt running for sheriff as a career move. I want to make our county safer for our families, he said. The drug problem affects every single family in Macon County.. Jones began as a junior detention officer but also served as a member of the special response team (SRT), the countys version of a SWAT team, and also worked patrol and investigations for several years. The honest truth is, no, we arent exactly where we need to be, but I want to continue to build on what so many in this department have worked hard to create. He said a cadet program held when kids are out of school during the summer will help build relationships with youth. If you can steer them away from that at an early age and follow them along, he said. Cooks final duty station was in the Jacksonville area, where he chose to stay and pursue a career in law enforcement. DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Macon County Sheriff Jim Root has announced he will run for reelection in 2022. 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. Next, I would take the four K-9 Officers and place one per shift. Quiz yourself on Black history. Answer from candidate 3 He said ideally there would be seven deputies on duty each shift including a K9 officer, and with eight deputies per shift the department could maybe add highway interdiction. 86 SUMMIT DR FRANKLIN, NC 28734 I am a dedicated and passionate law enforcement professional with the education, training, and experience to lead the Macon County Sheriffs Office into the future. We are all fighting the same problem and dealing with many of the same offenders across jurisdictions. I want the voters to know they can rely on me. I think we need to get ours back up to what it needs to be. Cook said his longest gig was working as an undercover narcotics detective, something he did for 14 years. View Candidates by State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho You can chose to answer all of the questions, one or two of the questions, or none of the questions. I have deep commitment to all Maconians and to our youth. The people in Nantahala want to know someone is close by so they dont have to wait an hour.. You never know where WUNC's events will take you. 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. Money doesnt always buy happiness, he said. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786 828.452.4251. Ive served as team leader on the SWAT team for 15 years, while employed at the Macon County Sheriffs Office. Extreme aggressiveness on the drug problem, thats the number one problem, he said. This week is Part I of the sheriffs candidate profiles with Clay Bryson, Bob Cook and Dereck Jones. Holbrooks touted his experience coming face-to-face with the drug trade. Perform a free Macon County, NC public arrest records search, including current & recent arrests, arrest inquiries, warrants, reports, logs, and mugshots. Outside of Old Fort, the Western North Carolina railroad bends around Andrews Geyser. He said there is always room for improvement when it comes to transparency and communicating with the community. Its county seat is Pittsboro.. Chatham County is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Combined Statistical Area, which has a . Cook: I am uniquely suited to address the drug epidemic in Macon County. Read The Highlander, Highlands, North Carolina, Phone:1-828-526-4114Main Fax:1-828-526-3658, Address:PO Box 249, Highlands, NC 28741Located:134 N. Fifth Street, Highlands, NC 28741Hours:Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5pm, 2023The Highlander, Highlands, North Carolina. A local man is coming out of retirement to run for Macon County Sheriff next year. As I embrace this journey to become your Sheriff, I do so knowing that together we can make a difference. The candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot. During interviews and appearances at several recent forums, all five candidates agree the drug problem is the number one issue facing the county. He said when people dont get a response it leads them to think there is something to hide. 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. Leading up to the primary, The Macon County News will publish candidate profiles for local offices. Yes. The evidence is there., As part of fighting the drug problem, Browning wants to add more resources to the narcotics division. He sees the top issues facing the countys law enforcement as drugs, patrol coverage, the perception of good old boys running the county and a lack of trust by citizens. He chose to run because people were telling him about the issues they were having in the community and with the Sheriffs Office. 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. 5) Any closing words you want to say to voters. A dog is the number one tool in the war on drugs, he said. Individuals and organizations had 60-days for final objections on the plan but only if they had previously commented. Bryson: The strongest area within the Macon County Sheriffs Office is our employees. But you also have to have something for them to look to, benefits and treating people right, he said. 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. North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) PO Box 27255 Raleigh NC 27611-7255. . It was there that he was mentored by Holland before Holland was ever elected to his current position. My plan would be to first meet with the Chief of Police in Franklin to discuss turning over the School Resource Officer positions inside their city limits to their responsibility, like Highlands is right now. With it being so close, regardless of which one won if it went the other way I think that a recount would have been asked for also, said Thibault. Sep 22, 2021 Updated Sep 22, 2021. Six counties in the westernmost part of North Carolina elected new sheriffs in the primary election. Some of the top issues Browning wants to address are drugs, highway interdiction and increasing community patrols. They are often the first faces our youngest community members meet and may be the first law enforcement officers our children encounter. When citizens ask questions, respond to them, within the law, he said. He also wants to provide officers more training on highway interdiction and assign deputies with canine support to work Highway 441. Macon Countys rural nature, paired with geographical challenges puts the outlying areas of the county just as Nantahala and Burningtown at a disadvantage. Im very approachable. I have said from the time I announced my candidacy for sheriff that we must work together to fight this issue. It just happens to be a political position, but I am elected by the people and always for the people. It absolutely needs to be replaced, but we need to plan for the future.. Each candidate has previous law enforcement experience, including three who currently work for the Sheriffs Office. Welcome to the Macon County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, serving Franklin, Highlands and Nantahala Macon County, NC Sheriff's Office | Franklin NC She says that the recount will likely take place after Memorial Day. We need to offer our community members an alternative to turning to drugs and the power and knowledge to break free from addiction, he said. These officers dont always get the recognition they deserve, but I appreciate each and every one of them more than they will ever know.. I want them to know that I will never knowingly let them down. Comment I am the proud father of four daughters and in 2019 became a grandfather for the first time. He said a good leader recognizes who the best people are, making them part of the leadership staff and delegating when possible. 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. Following is Part II of the sheriff's candidate profiles featuring Brent Holbrooks and Chris Browning. In addition, Bryson has served on the SRT for years and has been its commander since 2012. Anybody that can help provide the assets, equipment, money and other resources to fight this problem we have in Macon County., His goal is to make it so the people who are bringing drugs into the county will no longer want to come here. 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. There were five candidates in the race. My number one priority to the citizens of Macon County if elected as your next Sheriff, is to protect you and your families with the same vigilance I protect my own. Brent Holbrooks said his career in law enforcement was inspired by his father and grandfathers decades of service to Macon County. Answer from candidate 1 That increased presence and visibility will only benefit the county as a whole. His philosophy is to lead by example. I will not edit, change, or omit anything. Shortly after Ashe was elected sheriff in 2002, Gunnels left "because of the politics involved." He plans to seek grants and funding opportunities to make mental health resources and substance abuse treatment more readily available and accessible. Jones said that while he understands sheriff is a political position, he is a deputy before hes a politician, and thats the way hed intend to run the office. 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. Other officers are the best recruiters Ive got.. Free Independent Weekly Newspaper - Distributed in Franklin, Highlands, Dillsboro, Webster, Cullowhee, Scaly Mountain, N.C.; Dillard & Clayton, Ga. Franklin Town Council Holds Annual Retreat, Macon County missionary returns from frontlines of Ukraine War, FHS cheer team reaches Nationals for first time. That is something the military instilled in me. Melanie Thibault is director of the Macon County Board of Elections. To view listings in your area, search by state below. Macon County - Sheriff Robert Holland is retiring after serving in the role since 2002. Jones said that along with combating the ongoing drug issues and associated property and domestic violence crimes including a push to enhance drug treatment and community interdiction services a big priority of his would be enhancing courthouse security. Macon County Sheriff candidates Jon L. Butts, Jim Root, and Tony "Chubby" Brown all lieutenants with the sheriff's office address the crowd during the NAACP Decatur Branch's Candidates . If they have a question either myself or my staff will answer them. 91.1 Welcome 91.9 Fayetteville 90.5 Buxton Most recently, Chris served as the Macon County Team Captain for the 2020 Madison Cawthorn congressional campaign, bringing local political savvy to the 11 District election. Bryson: I believe one significant area of improvement within the Sheriffs Office comes with building community relations. Unlike the three other candidates mentioned in this story, Bob Cook came to Macon County a bit later in life. 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. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. As such, I have experience in making hand to hand drug buys for a $20.00 crack or heroin purchase to as much as multiple kilogram amounts of methamphetamine. This election is not about me, its about you, meaning the public, and of course, our youth.. All rights reserved. He said there are some safety improvements needed. To submit a listing for consideration, click here . since taking the oath of office on his 21st birthday in 2000. Born and raised in Newton, Iowa, Cook joined the Navy in 1972 and served until 1992 as a personnel specialist. 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. I will then print each candidates response to the questions in their entirety. Since 2012, hes also trained canines not only for MCSO but also other regional agencies. Of those five men, three currently serve under Holland at MCSO, although in different divisions, while the others are newcomers with their own unique backgrounds in law enforcement. He wants to see officers involved in community events and a time for people to sit down with officers and share what their needs are. 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. Bryson enrolled in Basic Law Enforcement Training at Southwestern Community College in the Fall of 1999 to begin his career and on April 11, 2000, Brysons 21st birthday, he took his Oath of Office with the Macon County Sheriffs Office. I hear that everywhere I go, he said. Everything evolves around drug use property crimes, assaults, domestic violence, he said. . With that being said, we need to get the courthouse secured, and we need to get the X-ray machines up and going.. Hear poetry from NC's poet laureate. In 2007, Nantahala was given four Deputy positions specifically for the Nantahala area. We need to make sure we have a secure courthouse and a secure jail or were going to have big problems.. Sheriff Robert Holland announced on June 18 that he would Premium Content is available to subscribers only. This election and change of administration is not about reinventing the wheel, but about putting the right person in office to move this county forward. I want them to see these are real people.. Brent Holbrooks in Macon County won the. Im a law enforcement professional seeking to do what needs to be done through community involvement, he said. We dont want youth to think we are unapproachable; if they need help, they can come to us. Its ridiculous.. Bryson said his interest in law enforcement flourished after participating in a youth program under former Sheriff Homer Holbrooks. 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. Candidates were asked to provide a short bio and were asked the same questions. Clockwise from top left: Brent Holbrooks, Dereck Jones, Bob Cook, Clay Bryson. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "abc3707f8ab1c57b22438d4200acd0da" );document.getElementById("e96589b9de").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I am the only candidate who is currently in a position to transition to Sheriff with the immediate knowledge of the agencys needs and budget from day one. It's not a new car just big thoughts on planet Earth, Look up! The majority of drugs come from Atlanta, and the majority of those drugs are coming from Mexico, he said. Most of these concerns centered around the drug problem in Macon County. Your email address will not be published. With Tony Brown retiring from the sheriff's office, Root will not be facing two formidable candidates in 2022. His three-prong approach to the problem includes education, enforcement and rehabilitation. A good leader recognizes who the best people are, making them part of North Carolina elected new Sheriffs the. His career in law enforcement 5 ) Any closing words you want to say to voters program! Career move that I will never knowingly let them down a bit later life... That he was mentored by Holland before Holland was ever elected to his current position said. Former Sheriff Homer Holbrooks significant area of improvement within the Macon County to do needs! The strongest area within the law, he said unapproachable ; if they need help, they can to... Per shift time outdoors and with our family 2014 and currently reside in the order they appear. 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