macon county nc sheriff candidates

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. During interviews and appearances at several recent forums, all five candidates agree the drug problem is the number one issue facing the county. 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. His philosophy is to lead by example. Finally, he wants to focus on rehabilitation. Tags News Franklin Macon County BPR News BPR Mayor Bob Scott Sheriff Sheriff Robert Holland Mayor Lilly Knoepp Brent Holbrooks said his career in law enforcement was inspired by his father and grandfathers decades of service to Macon County. My career choice in law enforcement dates back three generations! 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. Sheriff Robbie Holland, who is retiring this year, told BPR that he would be happy if any of the current officers were elected. Jones: I am not a politician. I have a totally different vision of anybody thats working there now., He said after 20 years with one administration, its time for a change. I am the proud father of four daughters and in 2019 became a grandfather for the first time. Id be happy if they had a term limit.. For most of my entire law enforcement career, I have prioritized combating this horrible epidemic and I assure you I will continue to do so as long as I serve Macon County. Candidates were asked to provide a short bio and were asked the same questions. She is a native of Franklin, NC who returns to WNC after serving as the assistant editor of Women@Forbes and digital producer of the Forbes podcast network. That would result in seven per shift. Although Holbrooks said he respects Holland, he isnt happy with the status quo. Additionally, I was told by several citizens they would never vote for a member of the Sheriffs Office again. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News. Six counties in the westernmost part of North Carolina elected new sheriffs in the primary election. 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. 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 said his interest in law enforcement flourished after participating in a youth program under former Sheriff Homer Holbrooks. Bryson said Macon County is his home, his children and grandchild are growing up here and he is dedicated to providing them a safe community to grow up in. 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. So when I go in, Im going in with a fresh, clear head looking at the problems we have, he said. Any drug arrest is a good arrest. Jones: I have been blessed to have worked with some really good law enforcement professionals over the years while on patrol and in investigations. 148 likes. Since 2012, hes also trained canines not only for MCSO but also other regional agencies. He has taught basic law enforcement training in Jacksonville, Florida, and in Macon County. If they have a question either myself or my staff will answer them. Filing Date. That increased presence and visibility will only benefit the county as a whole. My family and I attend Community Bible Church in Highlands and am an active member of the community I love so much.. The Office of Macon County Sheriff serves our community with a highly motivated, professional staff of individuals who strive to treat everyone with respect and courtesy. Political Candidate Directory Featuring candidates for state, local and federal office. Im not going to sit around and just let the drugs go crazy because were waiting on the big guy. Just like every other department and business around the nation, everybody suffers staff shortages, he said. Dereck Jones and his wife Jessica who works as a public health nurse have three children. As a father, my goal has always been to protect them, love them, and defend them to the best of my ability. No Democrats are running in the race, which means whoever is elected in the May 17 primary will likely be the incoming sheriff to take office at the end of the year. Extreme aggressiveness on the drug problem, thats the number one problem, 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 am a passionate, dedicated law enforcement officer who puts God first, family second and career third. I have the unique advantage of experiencing first-hand the multitude of ways law enforcement serves Macon County. Both divisions conduct themselves with professionalism with limited manpower. 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. Join us for this ride! 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. 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. TOWN OF FRANKLIN MAYOR SCOTT, ROBERT STEWART. 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. With that being said, we need to get the courthouse secured, and we need to get the X-ray machines up and going.. It just happens to be a political position, but I am elected by the people and always for the people. The primary count will be finalized on May 27th and then the recount will happen after that. . Bryson has served most of his career on patrol but also did two years of narcotics investigations. 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. Weve got to do what we can and deal with them appropriately when they get here.. I am committed to fair and equal treatment of all citizens. In addition to his law enforcement experience Holbrooks said his personality and passion for getting to know the public will be a benefit he brings to the office if elected. He said a good leader recognizes who the best people are, making them part of the leadership staff and delegating when possible. 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. He plans to seek grants and funding opportunities to make mental health resources and substance abuse treatment more readily available and accessible. Im very approachable. He says his experience has prepared him to make the needed changes. At-large candidates: Democrats Sabrina Coone-Godfrey, Deanna Kaplan, Kimberly Stone and Richard Watts, all of Winston-Salem; Libertarian Regina Garner of Winston-Salem; Republicans Sarah Absher,. Were going to get out there and do our jobs like were supposed to, he said. I will be creative and innovative, using natural interpersonal skills learned from my family and generational roots. 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. Holbrooks: My name is Brent and I am running for Sheriff of Macon County 2022. I want to see the best for Macon County and feel that with my extensive experience, education, leadership, and communication skills, I am the candidate that will move this agency forward. They will be able to count on me and I will not let them down. 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. He also said a larger facility built to code would give the county the opportunity to make money housing federal inmates. Next, he wants to ensure drug laws are enforced within MCSO jurisdiction. Macon County Beekeepers will hold their Bee School, Saturday, February 11 and Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. 1 month ago NC 4-H Camps Selected to Participate in NC State Crowdfunding Campaign At over 500 square miles, the majority of Macon County sits outside of the Franklin town limits. Posted at 01:41h . He plans to be out in the community where people can see him and get to know him. Individuals and organizations had 60-days for final objections on the plan but only if they had previously commented. This week is Part I of the sheriff's candidate profiles with Clay Bryson, Bob Cook and Dereck Jones. Bob Scott (828) 421-7843. They were never stationed out there. Although I left for around three years from 2004 until 2008, I bought back all of my time, making me the candidate with the most years of service at the MCSO; 22 years of service (23-years in May 2022). The number one thing were going to do right off the bat is were going to go after the community drug dealers, he said. Jones said that while some old-school methods may still work, any organization must change with the times. Some of the top issues Browning wants to address are drugs, highway interdiction and increasing community patrols. I want to instill trust in the community once again. If people have a question, they can ask me; if they have a complaint, they can complain.. Macon County NC Sheriff's Campaign Group Quiz yourself on Black history. We dont plan to change that model. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us. Brent Holbrooks in Macon County won the. In the past, I have worked as an undercover narcotics officer and bought drugs undercover in neighboring counties, he said. At least three members of the Macon County Sheriff's Office have already announced their intent to be his replacement including Sgt. Holbrooks final appeal was for people to trust his experience, not only with MCSO but within the greater community. He said all professions have bad apples and some young people are growing up with a negative impression of law enforcement. Im the only one outside the department that can bring change.. Brent Holbrooks is a lieutenant at the MCSO who has been with the office about 23 years. Draft N.C. Clean Transportation Plan available for public comment, 2023 Child Fatality Task Force report shows increase in child gun deaths, youth suicide, Jackson County TDA increases funding to $2,500 for third year of Cleaning Up the Mountains, Swain leaders voice continued opposition to parking passes in GSMNP, NC revenue forecast projects $3.25 billion surplus, 10.7% revenue increase for Fiscal Year 2022-23, Swain commissioners move to hire attorney to address GSMNP parking fees, Brad Waldrop named to Sylva Board of Commissioners, Rabun Gap girls basketball brings home second-straight NCISAA state title, Macon leaders withdraw plans to move forward with Highlands PreK renovations, Lifelong educator and author honored in Jackson County with special day. This is where I grew up; where my children and grandchildren are growing up. 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. In 2007, Nantahala was given four Deputy positions specifically for the Nantahala area. Leading up to the primary, The Macon County News will publish candidate profiles for local offices. I bring to the table experience. Civil process is one of the sheriffs three statutorily mandated duties and requires deputies to serve individuals with non-criminal papers, including domestic violence protective orders. Holbrooks says drugs is the number one problem facing the county. He worked for Western Carolina University Police for almost 14 years before moving on to work at the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. One of the first ways I plan to accomplish this is to refocus the agencies SRO [School Resource Officer] program and to improve the program for all these officers to be more than SROs I want them to be active community law enforcement officers that are geared toward proactive policing and reform. In 2010, I transferred from road Corporal to Corporal over Civil Process and Courthouse Security. Holbrooks touted his experience coming face-to-face with the drug trade. At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. But at the same time, he thinks there is a place for showing compassion for users and helping them find the rehabilitation and recovery help they need. At the same time, we must continue to expand upon mental health and substance abuse programs within the detention facility and beyond to help those in need that request assistance. I have deep commitment to all Maconians and to our youth. Following is Part II of the sheriff's candidate profiles featuring Brent Holbrooks and Chris Browning. My three older children are young adults and they have been raised and educated here in Macon County. 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. CANDIDATE LIST GROUPED BY CONTEST: Candidate Name. You need somebody that has experience in this field., He wants to partner with federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We need to offer our community members an alternative to turning to drugs and the power and knowledge to break free from addiction. To win, a candidate must get at least 30 percent of the vote plus one. To submit a listing for consideration, click here . I had people tell me they wouldnt vote for anyone from the Macon County Sheriffs Office, he said. The people in Nantahala want to know someone is close by so they dont have to wait an hour.. This isnt something that I take lightly, as I have been preparing for this day for many years.. Least 30 percent of the day-to-day in-school role of an SRO will increase the responsibility of to! 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