since taking the oath of office on his 21st birthday in 2000. Prior to my announcement in April 2021, I had been approached by several citizens in Macon County who related their concerns to me. Brent Holbrooks in Macon County won the. They will appear in the same order as they are returned to me. Bryson said his interest in law enforcement flourished after participating in a youth program under former Sheriff Homer Holbrooks. 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. This is one of the most frequently mentioned areas that citizens are unhappy with whether it is with drugs or property crimes. Macon County Sheriffs Office alone cannot fight the drug problem, he said, adding that the department must continue to partner with other agencies. OFFICE OF SHERIFF STATE-BY-STATE ELECTIONS INFORMATION STATE Elections Division Website State Elections Division Sheriffs' Election Info No. Cook: While each area can be improved upon, the Investigations area can use some improving. I born 45 years ago and raised right here in Macon County. This election is not about me, its about you, meaning the public, and of course, our youth.. Some of the top issues Browning wants to address are drugs, highway interdiction and increasing community patrols. To win, a candidate must get at least 30 percent of the vote plus one. Like Jones, Clay Bryson is a captain at MCSO, although he oversees the patrol division. 331 talking about this. 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. Robin Gunnels was born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina and moved to Sylva in 1983. I dont think his command staff that he currently has would necessarily be my command staff, he said, adding that he would make other staffing changes. Chris Browning, Clay Bryson, Bob Cook, Brent Holbrooks, and Dereck E. Jones ran in the Republican primary for Macon County Sheriff on May 17, 2022. I am the only candidate who can confidently stand on my record as a law enforcement officer in Macon County. Join us for this ride! 0. What do you see as the strongest area currently within the department? He says his experience has prepared him to make the needed changes. The following is a combination of information from in-person interviews each candidate did with The Franklin Press and answers they provided via a questionnaire from The Press. They want to know, If Im going by the rules, everybody has to be going by the rules., He said he will hold people responsible for doing the jobs they were hired to do. This election and change of administration are not about reinventing the wheel, but about putting the right person in office to move this county forward. What sets Bryson apart from the field more than anything may be his 21 years running police canines. 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. With much of my career being spent on patrol, I have experienced the shortages but it wasnt until I became Captain that I was able to see the administrative and structural difficulties of ensuring coverage across the county. With six deputies on duty, that will allow one each in Highlands and Nantahala with the remainder covering the rest of the county. 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. Browning said the county is already spending money to house inmates in other facilities and the time will come for a new jail. Im not knocking what arrests are being done right now, he said. If they have a question either myself or my staff will answer them. Bob Cook said he isnt running for sheriff as a career move. Quiz yourself on Black history. 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.. I will do everything in my power to curb the drug issues Macon County is facing, but the reality is it will never be gone.. 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. I take great pride in building personal and professional relationships here in Macon County, he said, adding that he is committed to the youth and believes he can make a difference in Highlands, Nantahala and other communities throughout the county. This is where I grew up; where my children and grandchildren are growing up. The five candidates are Bob Cook, Brent Holbrooks, Dereck E. Jones, Chris Browning and Clay Bryson. If people have a question, they can ask me; if they have a complaint, they can complain.. 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. I went around with a captain when we were looking at securing the courthouse with metal detectors and a lot of research went into what we needed and how we could organize and implement the program, he said. 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. 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. Many people in our county do not have smart phones or internet service and this will ensure they are all able to register complaint. There are those that you arrest, and when they get in the jail setting, we need to make sure we have the adequate resources for them, he said. Personal blog 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. 91.1 Welcome 91.9 Fayetteville 90.5 Buxton Name on Ballot. Jones said he is a people person and wants people to know they can talk to him. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. The sheriff is not a title for me, he said. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786 828.452.4251. Both divisions conduct themselves with professionalism with limited manpower. Answer from candidate 5. so forth and so on. The drug problem affects every single family in Macon County.. I have said from the time I announced my candidacy for sheriff that we must work together to fight this issue. Sep 22, 2021 Updated Sep 22, 2021. 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. Waynesville is Haywood Countys only municipal g Spring 2023 enrollment at Western Carolina Univers Haywood County Schools has new leaders at several Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority received a v Clockwise from top left: Brent Holbrooks, Dereck Jones, Bob Cook, Clay Bryson. That would result in seven per shift. Political Candidate Directory Featuring candidates for state, local and federal office. Right now, I dont have a set date on when we are going to perform it, said Thibault. They were never stationed out there. The upkeep of the building., I have a deep commitment to our next generation of our youth, Holbrooks said. Holbrooks noted that he has experience far beyond just encounters during patrol. I am community oriented and believe in community partnerships, Jones said. Moore had served in law enforcement for 31 years. Although Holbrooks said he respects Holland, he isnt happy with the status quo. 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. Search by document type. Unless they have to call them, they dont see a deputy out there, he said. P.O. 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. I give you my word that it will be printed exactly how it is submitted. Were doing a lot on that end of the spectrum, but youve got to have a willing body, he said. 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. jobs in Macon County, NC Sort by: relevance - date 2,351 jobs Realtor/Real Estate Agent Blue Ridge Premier Realty Sylva, NC $50,000 - $100,000 a year Full-time Choose your own hours Requirements North Carolina Real Estate License North Carolina Real Estate Sales: 1 year Laboratory Manager Mountain Lakes Medical Center 2.4 Clayton, GA 30525 I also have been the affiant on 99 separate telephone facility wire intercepts. 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. I have served as a detention officer, deputy sheriff, corporal/field training officer, Special Response Team, patrol sergeant, juvenile investigator, criminal investigator, lieutenant, and currently captain jail administrator who has overseen a budget of at least $2.5 million and was tasked with updating the detention center policies and procedures in 2019, said Jones. There were five candidates in the race. 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). See our upcoming events and sign up to attend. I am the proud father of four daughters and in 2019 became a grandfather for the first time. 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. 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. 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. North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) PO Box 27255 Raleigh NC 27611-7255. . I am a passionate, dedicated law enforcement officer who puts God first, family second and career third. That would give me one more per shift for a total of six. Graham County will choose a Republican sheriff and Jackson County will choose a school board seat. Voters in half a dozen cities are choosing mayors and other municipal positions. 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. Cook said his longest gig was working as an undercover narcotics detective, something he did for 14 years. Im very approachable. Many were close races. They also agree on the need for more community patrolling and community involvement. 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. Many were close races. Answer from candidate 4 Phone. Additionally, they would be primarily a backup officer to keep them free for K-9 duties. 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. 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