Im big on community involvement and bringing our youth up to know and to show school-age children who we are.. I will be creative and innovative, using natural interpersonal skills learned from my family and generational roots. He worked for Western Carolina University Police for almost 14 years before moving on to work at the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. 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. 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. Im a husband, a father, but most importantly Im a Christian. He is also employed as an adjunct instructor of law enforcement training at Southwestern Community College where he instructs Basic Law Enforcement Training cadets, National Park Service, in-service training, and anything else at the request of the college. I was the first detective in North Florida to investigate food stamp fraud.. I know that I cant always be by their side, so what better way to protect them than to work for an agency that allows you to face the evil in our communities head-on. It will be so uncomfortable and so unprofitable they will want to go someplace else.. Macon County NC Sheriff's Campaign Group If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us. This is where I grew up; where my children and grandchildren are growing up. Most of these concerns centered around the drug problem in Macon County. The transition period will be so important, he said. Born and raised in Newton, Iowa, Cook joined the Navy in 1972 and served until 1992 as a personnel specialist. 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. Browning said leadership is key in recruiting and keeping officers. 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. 91.5 Chapel Hill 88.9 Manteo 90.9 Rocky Mount 91.1 Welcome 91.9 Fayetteville 90.5 Buxton Answer from candidate 1 Neither Bryson or Holbrooks answered this question, which was their right to do. My approach to attacking Macon Countys drug problem centers around pooling resources and looking at all angles. Discuss North Carolina politics. 07/07/2017. Bryson said incarceration is not going to solve all the problems related to the drug epidemic. 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. A dog is the number one tool in the war on drugs, he said. I had people tell me they wouldnt vote for anyone from the Macon County Sheriffs Office, he said. It absolutely needs to be replaced, but we need to plan for the future.. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. They also agree on the need for more community patrolling and community involvement. There were five candidates in the race. The number one thing were going to do right off the bat is were going to go after the community drug dealers, he said. They were never stationed out there. 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. By Jake Browning on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 Elections to choose Macon County's next sheriff won't begin until next year, but the race has already become more of a high speed chase. Currently they have five on a shift including the supervisor. I want to make our county safer for our families, he said. My heart is in the right place. 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. Holbrooks says drugs is the number one problem facing the county. Sheriff Brent Holbrooks - 2368 (32.21 percent) Winner Dereck E. Jones - 2314 (31.57 percent) Clay Bryson - 1123 (15.32 percent) Were going to get back to enforcing the law the way it is supposed to be done.. Holbrooks final appeal was for people to trust his experience, not only with MCSO but within the greater community. Candidates were asked to provide a short bio and were asked the same questions. The good Lord gave me a platform to help others a platform to do what Ive wanted to do give back and help people., Bryson has worked with the Macon County Sheriffs Office. We have to get better doing this patrol thing, he said. My three older children are young adults and they have been raised and educated here in Macon County. 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. P.O. 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. 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. He wants to see officers more involved with the countys youth through community programs and youth sports. Holbrooks wants to foster a positive work culture within the department and continue to advocate for competitive pay. These things, Im very passionate about. There were five candidates in the race. 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. law enforcement today has changed! Upon retirement from the Navy, I went to the Police Academy in Jacksonville, Fla., after which I was hired by the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, Jacksonville Beach, Fla. After approximately two and a half years, I applied to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office where I remained for approximately 20 years. Any drug arrest is a good arrest. Long-time sheriff Robert Holland announced his retirement in June 2021; he was first elected to the office in 2002. Chatham County (locally / t t m / CHAT-m) is a county located in the Piedmont area of the U.S. state of North Carolina.As of the 2020 census, the population was 76,285. 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. 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. Beasley and Budd both won in Macon County with Beasley receiving 686 votes (58.48 percent) and Budd getting 3,588 (53.34 percent) The unofficial primary election totals with all precincts reporting. 0. An employee directory of phone numbers and email addresses for Macon County NC Government. Graham County will choose a Republican sheriff and Jackson County will choose a school board seat. See our upcoming events and sign up to attend. A State Divided: HB2 And Transgender Rights, Committee on Inclusion Diversity Equity Accountability, WUNC Public Radio, LLC Board of Directors, From the Warehouse to the world: Chicago and the birth of house music, Tesla has a new master plan. Lilly Knoepp serves as BPRs first fulltime reporter covering Western North Carolina. Authorities said Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, officials with the Special Victims Unit of the Macon County Sheriff's Office were investigating an allegation of sexual misconduct. What sets Bryson apart from the field more than anything may be his 21 years running police canines. 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. 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. As your Sheriff, I will be a problem-solver, dedicated to workplace, community and family balance. Browning said the county is already spending money to house inmates in other facilities and the time will come for a new jail. 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. Like Jones, Clay Bryson is a captain at MCSO, although he oversees the patrol division. rowan county nc mugshots 2020 27 Feb. rowan county nc mugshots 2020. Im constantly in schools, thats my heart., I will press for community related policies that will prompt our deputies to work with our stakeholders as role models, so that, together, our investment in the younger generation yields solid and measurable results.. Chris Browning wants to bring change to Macon County and an aggressive approach to the drug problem. Hear poetry from NC's poet laureate. We need to make sure we have a secure courthouse and a secure jail or were going to have big problems.. 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. His three-prong approach to the problem includes education, enforcement and rehabilitation. It was unique that he was my mentor when I was just 11 to 12 years old, and now hes my boss, Bryson said. Its usually more so in the local elections. View campaign finance documents for any committee registered with the State Board by searching key words for the title of the committee or the name of the candidate, or find penalties assessed to state committees at the Campaign Document Search by Entity. I bring to the table experience. Questions for the Macon County Sheriff candidates. I dont want this to be one occurrence I want to be a regular face at these events in these various communities because I believe you, the citizens, know what is best for your neighbors. I will make sure my office is providing coverage to outlying communities. In addition, Bryson has served on the SRT for years and has been its commander since 2012. How do you think law enforcement can strengthen its response to these problems? I left in 2004 to learn a new trade, but I knew that I would return to the law enforcement; and I did just that in 2008. He says a lot of the drug arrests are people being charged with possession, but there needs to be more emphasis on those selling and manufacturing. While Cook is comfortably retired and doesnt need the income from a job, he said he feels called to the position because hes worried about a good ol boys system.. He said adding a kitchen facility to the existing building would help save on what the county spends buying inmate meals from outside sources, and cooking would be something inmates could do. He has three years of college through the Columbia College, Columbia, Mo., and an Associates in Arts degree through the Los Angeles Community College. She says that the recount will likely take place after Memorial Day. of Cos. I will also not lie to them. Jones said since being promoted to jail administrator in 2018 he has managed a budget of at least $2.5 million and updated the Detention Centers policies and procedures in 2019. Clay Bryson For all the drugs coming out of Atlanta, Athens, right through Macon County, into Jackson County, Swain County.. Were doing a lot on that end of the spectrum, but youve got to have a willing body, he said. Next, I will meet with the Assistant Supervisor in Charge of the DEA as well as other federal authorities to discuss our needs. Holbrooks, the son of former Sheriff Holbrooks, said that in his 23 years while hes also worked courthouse security, he believes his greatest strengths are his abilities as an SRT operator and his experience in civil process. Since moving to the area, hes worked at the police academy in Franklin as a training coordinator, a position he resigned to run for sheriff. It's Official, There's A New Sheriff (candidate) In Town. 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. I have become known over the years as a person that listens carefully to what people have to say.. Candidates Jones,. Jones: I have been blessed to have worked with some really good law enforcement professionals over the years while on patrol and in investigations. I am also committed to moving Macon County forward into the future and making it a model department for all Western North Carolina. If they have a question either myself or my staff will answer them. At least three members of the Macon County Sheriff's Office have already announced their intent to be his replacement including Sgt. She isnt surprised by the recount. 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 am not a politician. He wants to have six deputies working per shift including a K9 unit on a regular patrol shift. 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. Itd be a reconstruction of the whole department.. Candidates were asked to provide a short bio and were asked the same questions. During interviews and appearances at several recent forums, all five candidates agree the drug problem is the number one issue facing the county. These officers dont always get the recognition they deserve, but I appreciate each and every one of them more than they will ever know.. Cooks final duty station was in the Jacksonville area, where he chose to stay and pursue a career in law enforcement. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. Cody Moore has officially announced his candidacy for the 2022 election . Macon Countys rural nature, paired with geographical challenges puts the outlying areas of the county just as Nantahala and Burningtown at a disadvantage. Following is Part II of the sheriff's candidate profiles featuring Brent Holbrooks and Chris Browning. Copyright 2022 BPR News. 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. 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 want to further our agency just as Sheriff Holland has worked to do for many years. Finally, I will be a dedicated public servant, ensuring that your message of what matters most has standing within the Sheriff s Office.. Although Holbrooks said he respects Holland, he isnt happy with the status quo. He says he will be running as a Republican candidate. Absolutely for more bed space. 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. This starts within our schools and each individual community. 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. In January of 2005 I received his first promotion within the agency and have spent the last 21 years working in various capacities and now serves as Captain over Patrol. So, the question isnt whether you know me, the real question you may ask is can I vote for Brent Holbrooks as Macon Countys next Sheriff? My vision for the Office of Sheriffs simple, BE A STRONG YET COMPASSIONATE LEADER who listens to every voice equally a leader that is in-touch with the residents, a leader that understands what being a public law enforcement servant is all about, a leader that respects everyone. Related to community partnerships is educating youth not only about the dangers such as drug use, but also showing them opportunities available. 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. 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. 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. DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A new candidate is now in the running for Macon County Sheriff. 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. Quiz yourself on Black history. He was alderman of the city from 1889 to 1893. I am the right individual for this position. Clockwise from top left: Brent Holbrooks, Dereck Jones, Bob Cook, Clay Bryson. I was advised they would need seven road deputies, including the supervisor. 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. 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. 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. 331 talking about this. My home, your home is Macon County, North Carolina! Jones said fighting the drug epidemic is two pronged: cutting off the drugs on the front end and providing rehabilitation/mental health assistance. OFFICE OF SHERIFF STATE-BY-STATE ELECTIONS INFORMATION STATE Elections Division Website State Elections Division Sheriffs' Election Info No. As a law enforcement officer, Cook has experience in Patrol, Evidence Technician, Traffic Officer, Burglary, Scrap Metal Task Force, Economic Crimes (Food Stamp Fraud), Gang Unit, Homicide Unit where he was on the Aggravated Battery Squad. 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. Join us for this ride! Ive taken great pride to get to know the citizens of Macon County for almost 23 years. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News. 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. To see more, visit BPR News. He also said a larger facility built to code would give the county the opportunity to make money housing federal inmates. Cook: While it is difficult to pick between the Detention Center and Patrol, the strongest area of the department appears to be the patrol division. We have to start with the kids, he said. Were building leaders not just for today, but for tomorrow.. The primary count will be finalized on May 27th and then the recount will happen after that. These same instructions will be posted on social media to let the public know the option that was given to candidates for full transparency. Ive served as team leader on the SWAT team for 15 years, while employed at the Macon County Sheriffs Office. Five Republican candidates are vying to be the next sheriff of Macon County. He said by reaching kids at an early age, you can begin sowing the mindset of giving back to community. 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. Bryson said he has three specific areas he believes he can enhance. However, I have been asked to help share information about the candidates so what I have decided is to send every candidate this same email (everyone is copied) and leave it up to you if you want to respond or not. Macon County. Cook: While each area can be improved upon, the Investigations area can use some improving. Its county seat is Pittsboro.. 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