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. The sheriff is not a title for me, he said. No Democrat is running for sheriff in Graham County. Im a law enforcement professional seeking to do what needs to be done through community involvement, he said. Yet, the fundamentals of community-based policies and a passion to do what is right must remain constant. No Democrats were on the ballot so this primary decides who will be the next Sheriff in the County. Jones: Combating the drug epidemic, community relations/partnerships, and training in specific areas. Bryson said his interest in law enforcement flourished after participating in a youth program under former Sheriff Homer Holbrooks. We dont want youth to think we are unapproachable; if they need help, they can come to us. Born and raised in Newton, Iowa, Cook joined the Navy in 1972 and served until 1992 as a personnel specialist. Prior to my announcement in April 2021, I had been approached by several citizens in Macon County who related their concerns to me. I am a member of the Cullasaja Fire Department and have seen firsthand the integral role our volunteer fire departments and community centers have within our communities. 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.. To see more, visit BPR News. I want them to know that I will never knowingly let them down. These things, Im very passionate about. In 2010, I transferred from road Corporal to Corporal over Civil Process and Courthouse Security. TBD 11/09/2021 Chris Browning for Macon County Sheriff - Campaign Launch It's official! They felt disenfranchised and saw what they considered as the good old boy club being treated differently than everyone else. It is my goal to create an environment within the agency that supports and uplifts all employees while providing them with the salary, benefits, and continued training needed to better themselves which will allow them to better serve our community. A recount has been called for in the Macon County Sheriffs race. Early voting is underway across the state. 2) Tell me about your political experience. Answer from candidate 1 An employee directory of phone numbers and email addresses for Macon County NC Government. They were never stationed out there. Cook said his longest gig was working as an undercover narcotics detective, something he did for 14 years. Bryson said education and the cadet program is a way to draw interest to the profession. The report Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (JCTDA) has once again shown its commitment to environmental stewardship by increasing its funding to $2,500 for the third year By Kristin Fox Next month, the Park It Forward Program will begin in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. Bryson has served most of his career on patrol but also did two years of narcotics investigations. Jones: I have been blessed to have worked with some really good law enforcement professionals over the years while on patrol and in investigations. Im not knocking what arrests are being done right now, he said. All rights reserved. This election is not about me, its about you, meaning the public, and of course, our youth.. He chose to run because people were telling him about the issues they were having in the community and with the Sheriffs Office. Incarceration isnt going to solve the tragedy impacting our friends and neighbors struggling with drug addictions. Throughout my career, I served in many roles within the Sheriffs Office, first as a patrol deputy. 0. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Graham County will choose a Republican sheriff and Jackson County will choose a school board seat. I worked the road, and when working the road, you have to know the ins and outs of the drug trade, he said. Sheriff Brent Holbrooks - 2368 (32.21 percent) Winner Dereck E. Jones - 2314 (31.57 percent) Clay Bryson - 1123 (15.32 percent) I also have been the affiant on 99 separate telephone facility wire intercepts. 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. Answer from candidate 2 I am not a politician. 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. Do we need to add on to our facility? 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. It absolutely needs to be replaced, but we need to plan for the future.. 2021 The Smoky Mountain News. I had people tell me they wouldnt vote for anyone from the Macon County Sheriffs Office, he said. I was advised they would need seven road deputies, including the supervisor. Root, who was sworn in as sheriff on Monday, June 21, was part of a court battle. 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. He also believes in treating people equally. Chris Browning wants to bring change to Macon County and an aggressive approach to the drug problem. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786 828.452.4251. Join us for this ride! That increased presence and visibility will only benefit the county as a whole. I have the unique advantage of experiencing first-hand the multitude of ways law enforcement serves Macon County. 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. Cook: Considering the Nantahala Community currently has only as a School Resource Officer in their community, they absolutely need additional officers. Ive served as team leader on the SWAT team for 15 years, while employed at the Macon County Sheriffs Office. 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. He plans to seek grants and funding opportunities to make mental health resources and substance abuse treatment more readily available and accessible. He said in that capacity, his investigations, which included the use of wire taps, led to the seizure of kilograms of methamphetamine and crack cocaine at a time. It will be so uncomfortable and so unprofitable they will want to go someplace else.. The way we get around that is the education of our youth, he said. 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 felt that the only way to ensure these concerns were addressed properly was to no longer sit on the sidelines. law enforcement today has changed! CANDIDATE LIST GROUPED BY CONTEST: Candidate Name. 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. Additionally, I was told by several citizens they would never vote for a member of the Sheriffs Office again. While each election they hear promise after promise from those running or currently serving, this is the first time I have had the opportunity to make those promises. 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. 4) If you were not running for office, which of the other candidates would you vote for and why? The only elections here in Western North Carolina are runoffs. Please post about new candidates running, your candidate, opinions and talking points. 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 was perfectly retired, he said. This isnt something that I take lightly, as I have been preparing for this day for many years.. He says increasing community patrols will be important in curbing the drug issues as well as other criminal activity. Six counties in the westernmost part of North Carolina elected new sheriffs in the primary election. We need to be helping those who need help and want help, he said. I am not looking for another career or a position for the next 20 years. He says he will be running as a Republican candidate. Just like every other department and business around the nation, everybody suffers staff shortages, he said. 86 SUMMIT DR FRANKLIN, NC 28734 That would give me one more per shift for a total of six. He said when people dont get a response it leads them to think there is something to hide. 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). Right now, we are trying to work with the county and schedule a time to have this done.. It was unique that he was my mentor when I was just 11 to 12 years old, and now hes my boss, Bryson said. 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. Neither Bryson or Holbrooks answered this question, which was their right to do. Dereck Jones and his wife Jessica who works as a public health nurse have three children. I returned back as road patrol officer and shortly thereafter, I was promoted to Corporal. The order the candidate answers will appear will be determined by order responses are received. Analyze how and why you love the way you do. My three older children are young adults and they have been raised and educated here in Macon County. Jones said fighting the drug epidemic is two pronged: cutting off the drugs on the front end and providing rehabilitation/mental health assistance. I bring to the table experience. I want them to know that I will be transparent and responsive. In 2017, once again it was promised they would get some officers out there for coverage and to this day, the only time they get a patrol unit out there is in response to a call for service. He also said a larger facility built to code would give the county the opportunity to make money housing federal inmates. 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. That is your decision. I believe it is imperative as Sheriff to visit these departments and the various community clubs throughout Macon County on a regular basis to bolster community relations and hear from citizens about what needs to be done and how we can better serve the county. I want to get into office, make the changes necessary and train the leaders of tomorrow within my agency.. I want to look at what can be done without costing a lot of money and to be a good steward of taxpayer money, he said. SROs play an invaluable role in our agency. 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. Any race decided less than a percentage point can head to a recount if requested. My wife Ariel and I have been married since 2014 and currently reside in the Cullasaja Community of Macon County. 331 talking about this. It is a battle were going to continue to fight., Bryson sees the drug problem as the number one issue facing the county. 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 . He said the countys pay study helped get the departments salaries to a competitive level with other agencies in the area. Brent Holbrooks in Macon County won the. Bryson: The strongest area within the Macon County Sheriffs Office is our employees. I am community oriented and believe in community partnerships, Jones said. Finally, I will be a dedicated public servant, ensuring that your message of what matters most has standing within the Sheriff s Office.. Sheriff Robbie Holland, who is retiring this year, told BPR that he would be happy if any of the current officers were elected. He also wants to provide officers more training on highway interdiction and assign deputies with canine support to work Highway 441. He has taught basic law enforcement training in Jacksonville, Florida, and in Macon County. I am the only candidate who has experience in every division under the Sheriffs Office running for this position. Both divisions conduct themselves with professionalism with limited manpower. A dog is the number one tool in the war on drugs, he said. I am also committed to moving Macon County forward into the future and making it a model department for all Western North Carolina. 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.. 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. Copyright 2022 BPR News. 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. Bryson: As the new Captain over patrol, I have gotten a crash course in the struggles our agency faces to cover all 500 miles of Macon County. Macon Countys rural nature, paired with geographical challenges puts the outlying areas of the county just as Nantahala and Burningtown at a disadvantage. When it comes to recruiting new officers, Cook plans to visit classes during the law enforcement training academy here and in nearby areas. The video was released after a group of North Carolina media organizations including Blue Ridge Public Radio filed a complaint seeking its release. He said a cadet program held when kids are out of school during the summer will help build relationships with youth. He was promoted to captain just when the office was restructured and the entire command staff received that rank. Robin Gunnels was born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina and moved to Sylva in 1983. 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. since taking the oath of office on his 21st birthday in 2000. Cook: I am uniquely suited to address the drug epidemic in Macon County. That is why I plan to constantly seek out grants and funding opportunities to make mental health resources and substance abuse treatment more readily available and accessible in Western North Carolina. In addition, Bryson has served on the SRT for years and has been its commander since 2012. 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. As a father, my goal has always been to protect them, love them, and defend them to the best of my ability. 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. 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. Bryson and his wife Ariel have been married since 2014 and currently reside in the Cullasaja Community of Macon County. Among the sheriffs retiring in Western North Carolina who will leave big shoes to fill is Macon County's Robert Holland, who has served in that position for almost two decades. 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. 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. This is where I grew up; where my children and grandchildren are growing up. Leading up to the primary, The Macon County News is publishing candidate profiles for local offices. Jones said education is important and he wants to expand training opportunities for the department. 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. Network Menu. Some of you know me as Sarahs husband or Aprils brother, but I am proud to say that most of you know me simply as Brent. Many were close races. 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. The SROs are vigilant; they keep their eyes open, 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. Only Clay Bryson and Brent Holbrooks responded and here are their unedited responses. The number one thing were going to do right off the bat is were going to go after the community drug dealers, he said. 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. 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