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. Weve got to do what we can and deal with them appropriately when they get here.. 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. Id be happy if they had a term limit.. 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. I believe in fairness. Jones: Combating the drug epidemic, community relations/partnerships, and training in specific areas. His education program would include more trained School Resource Officers, including a roving K9 unit and K9 demonstrations in the schools. We dont plan to change that model. Im passionate about what I do, he said. 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. Lastly, is there anything else you would like voters to know? I am a man of my word. We firmly believe that, working together, we CAN make a positive difference in our community. Moore had served in law enforcement for 31 years. Eventually, Cook found his way to Macon County. We have one of the best group of law enforcement officers across the country who dedicate their lives to protect and serve the citizens of Macon County every day. 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. Address. Because they are our most valuable asset, it is imperative that we find ways to incentivize our agency and make the retention and recruitment of employees a priority, otherwise, we will continue to put time and money into training new officers only for them to leave to go to other agencies. Comment The five candidates are Bob Cook, Brent Holbrooks, Dereck E. Jones, Chris Browning and Clay Bryson. Filing Date. In local races when a candidate wins by less than a 1 percent margin the second vote getter can request a recount, according to NC election law. BPR explains some of the objections. He plans to seek grants and funding opportunities to make mental health resources and substance abuse treatment more readily available and accessible. They felt disenfranchised and saw what they considered as the good old boy club being treated differently than everyone else. He also wants to eventually increase the number of deputies on patrol to include one each in Highlands and Nantahala. Finally, I will be a dedicated public servant, ensuring that your message of what matters most has standing within the Sheriff s Office.. I have to serve the needs of the public and the commissioners, he said. 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. He says it is important for the department to have officers in the community. Everything evolves around drug use property crimes, assaults, domestic violence, he said. They will appear in the same order as they are returned to me. 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. Many were close races. He said none of the candidates, including himself, know all the daily responsibilities that come with being sheriff. Bryson has served most of his career on patrol but also did two years of narcotics investigations. This is evidenced by my direct involvement in our schools, churches and as my passion as a coach and volunteer.. Holbrooks final appeal was for people to trust his experience, not only with MCSO but within the greater community. You can chose to answer all of the questions, one or two of the questions, or none of the questions. I want to instill trust in the community once again. During interviews and appearances at several recent forums, all five candidates agree the drug problem is the number one issue facing the county. Im a law enforcement professional seeking to do what needs to be done through community involvement, he said. At least three members of the Macon County Sheriff's Office have already announced their intent to be his replacement including Sgt. Jones said the jail was built in 1999 and by 2005 was already reaching capacity. 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. Early voting is underway across the state. The candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot. Recruitment and retention of officers is an issue not just locally, but across the country. Holbrooks noted that he has experience far beyond just encounters during patrol. This election is not about me, its about you, meaning the public, and of course, our youth.. She isnt surprised by the recount. of Cos. Jones graduated Franklin High School in 2000, Southwestern Community College in 2008 with an Associate of Arts degree, and Western Carolina University in 2012 attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A new candidate is now in the running for Macon County Sheriff. But with the amount of drugs in this town, we should be seeing busts every week. Right now, I dont have a set date on when we are going to perform it, said Thibault. Macon County Sheriff Chris Browning (R) Clay Bryson (R) Bob Cook (R) Brent Holbrooks (R) Dereck E. Jones (R) School board elections and candidates November 8, 2022 (General) Macon County Schools May 17, 2022 (Primary) Macon County Schools Judicial elections and candidates November 8, 2022 (General) Bryson said he thinks the county has outgrown the jail and he would work with the County Commissioners to look at the pros and cons of a new facility or housing inmates out of county. Just like every other department and business around the nation, everybody suffers staff shortages, he said. 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. This is not a logical step in my career. I still have the love for reaching out and helping others.. 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. Following is Part II of the sheriff's candidate profiles featuring Brent Holbrooks and Chris Browning. 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. A recount has been called for in the Macon County Sheriff's race. I have worked every major position, he said. These same instructions will be posted on social media to let the public know the option that was given to candidates for full transparency. Chris seeks to restore faith and trust in the Macon County Sheriff's Office through service to the community built on the core values of honesty, leadership, and integrity. Absolutely for more bed space. Bryson: The strongest area within the Macon County Sheriffs Office is our employees. The five candidates are Bob Cook, Brent Holbrooks, Dereck E. Jones, Chris Browning and Clay Bryson. At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. First, he wants to educate youth on drugs that come into the area, especially considering how many encounter them at home or in their social circles. I dont think we need a new jail facility right now. he said. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1972 to 1992, retiring a second time from his civilian career, he had more than 22 years of experience serving in a variety of law enforcement positions. 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.. 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. That is your decision. When citizens ask questions, respond to them, within the law, he said. After 20 years of doing things the same way its time for a whole different approach and attitude.. They want someone who will allow them to go out and do their job and support them in doing their job, he said. Only Clay Bryson and Brent Holbrooks responded and here are their unedited responses. Bryson said incarceration is not going to solve all the problems related to the drug epidemic. 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. From there, I then began working my way through the ranks as a corporal, sergeant, first sergeant, narcotics investigator, SWAT commander, K9 Supervisor/ Trainer, and now as Captain over Patrol. 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. NC 28734 Phone: 828-349-2000 . He said there is always room for improvement when it comes to transparency and communicating with the community. The evidence is there., As part of fighting the drug problem, Browning wants to add more resources to the narcotics division. 2) Tell me about your political experience. I want to make our county safer for our families, he said. 1) Give me a brief bio. 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. I worked for the of Franklin While I eagerly awaited my 21 birthday, when I could begin the BLET program. My approach to attacking Macon Countys drug problem centers around pooling resources and looking at all angles. He said by reaching kids at an early age, you can begin sowing the mindset of giving back to community. Answer from candidate 1 I will also not lie to them. It just happens to be a political position, but I am elected by the people and always for the people. A dog is the number one tool in the war on drugs, he said. Like Jones, Clay Bryson is a captain at MCSO, although he oversees the patrol division. The men and women of the MCSO also volunteer their . I will make sure my office is providing coverage to outlying communities. 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