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. 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. Six counties in the westernmost part of North Carolina elected new sheriffs in the primary election. I enjoy taking my children to the woods to hunt and learn about gun safety. Of course, others may step up to run for the office, but Root will be a tough incumbent to beat, considering everything that happened in the 2018 race aftermath. 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. NC 28734 Phone: 828-349-2000 . Quiz yourself on Black history. The candidates to replace Holland bring a variety of experience. He said law enforcement was once a respected profession but is now often looked at as a necessary evil.. He says he would put together a proposal that looks at what is being spent now compared to what a new facility would cost or could generate in revenue. I will uphold the U.S. and N.C. Constitution. 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 way we get around that is the education of our youth, he said. 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 . Its another way to reach people.. As such, I have experience in making hand to hand drug buys for a $20.00 crack or heroin purchase to as much as multiple kilogram amounts of methamphetamine. 2) Tell me about your political experience. I still have the love for reaching out and helping others.. I will promise to always give my best effort . We need to be helping those who need help and want help, he said. Many were close races. 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 said more must be done on the enforcement end as well and wants to have a task force including the Sheriffs Office and the Franklin and Highlands police departments. All rights reserved. Were going to get back to enforcing the law the way it is supposed to be done.. Eventually, Cook found his way to Macon County. I will be creative and innovative, using natural interpersonal skills learned from my family and generational roots. A dog is the number one tool in the war on drugs, he said. 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.. In the event that does not happen, the second highest vote-getter can call for a recall, which would be held July 26. Those residents deserve the same response and service from the Macon County Sheriffs Office as someone who lives in the center of town. Only Clay Bryson and Brent Holbrooks responded and here are their unedited responses. I obtained my law enforcement certification from Southwestern Community College and I began working at the Macon County Sherrifs Department in 1999. 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. Copyright 2022 BPR News. Check your voter registration status Learn about registering to vote Contact your county board of elections Common Cause NC Address. I am the only candidate who can confidently stand on my record as a law enforcement officer in Macon County. law enforcement today has changed! Its not a want, its a need for the county and long-term its going to save money, he said. She isnt surprised by the recount. They will appear in the same order as they are returned to me. 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 dont plan to change that model. Bryson and his wife Ariel have been married since 2014 and currently reside in the Cullasaja Community of Macon County. He said while Macon County remains a small community, we are growing and with that comes more and more problems. 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. I am the right individual for this position. He also spent approximately 14 years working in Narcotics where I was also on the Violent Crimes Task Force and the DEA Task Force. Bob Cook said he isnt running for sheriff as a career move. TBD 11/09/2021 Chris Browning for Macon County Sheriff - Campaign Launch It's official! Jones said he is a people person and wants people to know they can talk to him. When citizens ask questions, respond to them, within the law, he said. I have deep commitment to all Maconians and to our youth. This is not a logical step in my career. Although Holbrooks said he respects Holland, he isnt happy with the status quo. Personal, Professional, Education. Bryson said education and the cadet program is a way to draw interest to the profession. Six counties in the westernmost part of North Carolina elected new sheriffs in the primary election. 94.1 Lumberton 99.9 Southern Pines, Courtesy of North Carolina Board of Elections. This is one of the most frequently mentioned areas that citizens are unhappy with whether it is with drugs or property crimes. This election is not about me, its about you, meaning the public, and of course, our youth.. I returned back as road patrol officer and shortly thereafter, I was promoted to Corporal. Holbrooks: My name is Brent and I am running for Sheriff of Macon County 2022. Unless they have to call them, they dont see a deputy out there, he said. But with the amount of drugs in this town, we should be seeing busts every week. Phone. Bryson: The strongest area within the Macon County Sheriffs Office is our employees. Cook believes that it will take someone from outside MCSO to fix it and noted that hes the best candidate to address the issues facing the community. 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. I give you my word that it will be printed exactly how it is submitted. Dereck Jones has served in MCSO for 17 years and holds the rank of captain. They also agree on the need for more community patrolling and community involvement. Bryson has served most of his career on patrol but also did two years of narcotics investigations. In addition to his current role overseeing jail operations, Jones also highlighted his other collateral duties, such as his involvement with Special Olympics, Project Lifesaver (a community safety program that makes it easier to find missing individuals with conditions like autism or dementia), mental health task force and the safe schools task force. 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 hear that everywhere I go, he said. I also have been the affiant on 99 separate telephone facility wire intercepts. He said he decided to run because he wants to be part of moving the the office forward. He has three years of college through the Columbia College, Columbia, Mo., and an Associates in Arts degree through the Los Angeles Community College. 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. To see more, visit BPR News. Many of you already know me, my personality, and my character through our personal interactions over the years. I want to get into office, make the changes necessary and train the leaders of tomorrow within my agency.. Answer from candidate 3 They were never stationed out there. 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. As a result of the investigation, authorities arrested and charged Evan Jordan Jensen, 30, with one felony count of indecent liberties with a child. I have a great relationship with the community, he said. He also feels it is important to support law enforcement families, since the stress that comes with the job can be difficult for some families to work through. 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. In the event that does not happen, the second highest vote-getter can call for a recall, which would be held July 26. Im a husband, a father, but most importantly Im a Christian. 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. Wednesday, April 27, 2022. As such, I have had to learn to step back and look at whatever the situation is and think outside the box to develop a successful plan of attack. I had people tell me they wouldnt vote for anyone from the Macon County Sheriffs Office, he said. Everything evolves around drug use property crimes, assaults, domestic violence, he said. Itd be a reconstruction of the whole department.. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786 828.452.4251. What sets Bryson apart from the field more than anything may be his 21 years running police canines. 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) We have an academy in our backyard, we need to be utilizing that as much as possible, he said. 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. 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 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. During my time in law enforcement, I had the pleasure of doing just about anything an officer can do, from patrol to traffic to evidence processing to community policing to investigating burglary and economic crimes, he added. As the third generation of his family to work in law enforcement, Holbrooks has spent his adult career with the Macon County Sheriffs Office, starting in 1999 as a deputy. Holbrooks noted that he has experience far beyond just encounters during patrol. At over 500 square miles, the majority of Macon County sits outside of the Franklin town limits. That is something the military instilled in me. TOWN OF FRANKLIN MAYOR SCOTT, ROBERT STEWART. Related to community partnerships is educating youth not only about the dangers such as drug use, but also showing them opportunities available. Lastly, is there anything else you would like voters to know? 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. Holbrooks wants to foster a positive work culture within the department and continue to advocate for competitive pay. News and Updates Events TBD Meet-and-Greet Hotdog Dinner Get to know Chris Browning. 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. The upkeep of the building., I have a deep commitment to our next generation of our youth, Holbrooks said. Weve got to get out and listen to concerns, he said. I believe in adequate coverage for all citizens. Moore had served in law enforcement for 31 years. Bryson said incarceration is not going to solve all the problems related to the drug epidemic. He says that starts with the community drug dealers. My approach to attacking Macon Countys drug problem centers around pooling resources and looking at all angles. Since April 2021, I have made the proposal to get patrol coverage to not only Nantahala, but to Scaly Mountain, Otto and the Cowee area among others. I will take on the drug dealers in each community and work with outside agencies to provide help to addicts. Throughout my career with the Sheriffs Office. Additionally, I was told by several citizens they would never vote for a member of the Sheriffs Office again. We dont want youth to think we are unapproachable; if they need help, they can come to us. 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. Local offices like district attorneys, county sheriff and county commissioners Polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and everyone in line by 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot. 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. Meet NPR hosts and reporters. In Macon, Cherokee and Clay Counties the sheriff's races were decided during the Republican primaries with no candidates from the other parties. My three older children are young adults and they have been raised and educated here in Macon County. Weve got to reach out.. Sheriff Robbie Holland, who is retiring this year, told BPR that he would be happy if any of the current officers were elected. 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. What I am willing to do is to send all candidates the exact same questions, and these questions are basic get to know you questions and nothing more. Holbrooks: Serving alongside others that are dedicated to our youth and their future will be a cornerstone of my run for Sheriff and a purposeful strategy of the Sheriffs Office, if I am elected. 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. Questions for the Macon County Sheriff candidates. 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. 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 want to further our agency just as Sheriff Holland has worked to do for many years. He was born and raised in Newton, Iowa. If they have a question either myself or my staff will answer them. I know how it affected me as a young man, he said. You never know where WUNC's events will take you. Browning served in the U.S. Air Force and spent five years working as a road deputy in Macon County before operating his own businesses for the past 17 years. 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. I am pleased to say that the academy did a lot of good for me because I moved back to Macon County eager to pursue a career in law enforcement and was very focused on attaining my goals. I will then print each candidates response to the questions in their entirety. Long-time sheriff Robert Holland announced his retirement in June 2021; he was first elected to the office in 2002. The Macon County Arrest Records Search (North Carolina) links below open in a new window and take you to third party websites that provide access to Macon County public records. I dont. 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. 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. I am a man of my word. He was alderman of the city from 1889 to 1893. Join us for this ride! He said when people dont get a response it leads them to think there is something to hide. A recount has been called for in the Macon County Sheriffs race. He wants to have six deputies working per shift including a K9 unit on a regular patrol shift. As I have noted, I have spent approximately 14 years as an undercover Narcotics Detective. 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. Well start with these intermediate community drug dealers and work our way up., He believes for too long the system has been set up to work from the top down with officers on the lookout for the big guys., Weve never got the big guy here. He thinks the solution is starting at the bottom with the local dealers. 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. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us. I spoke to a MCSO Street supervisor and asked what it would take to get coverage into those areas. In the past, I have worked as an undercover narcotics officer and bought drugs undercover in neighboring counties, he said. Money doesnt always buy happiness, he said. He said by reaching kids at an early age, you can begin sowing the mindset of giving back to community. 2022 Election --- Office of Sheriff Updated: 01/09/2023 3:37pm SHERIFF PRIMARY ELECTION POTENTIAL 2ND PRIMARY GENERAL ELECTION SHERIFF Cabarrus Sheriff Van Shaw (R) Sheriff Van Shaw (R) Caldwell Sheriff Alan C. Jones (R) Sheriff Alan C. Jones (R) Camden Sheriff Kevin Jones (R) Sheriff Kevin Jones (R) Carteret Sheriff Asa B. Buck, III (R) Sheriff Asa B. Buck, III (R) It's Official, There's A New Sheriff (candidate) In Town. He also wants to reintroduce a cadet program similar to the one he participated in as a young man when Sheriff Holland was his mentor. He said a good leader recognizes who the best people are, making them part of the leadership staff and delegating when possible. I have to serve the needs of the public and the commissioners, he said. Cook also wants to review safety protocols for the jail and the courthouse. 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). We need to offer our community members an alternative to turning to drugs and the power and knowledge to break free from addiction. 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. 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. 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. 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. Candidate Chris Browning Clay Bryson Bob Cook Brent Holbrooks Dereck E. Jones Incumbency information for this election was not available. Its county seat is Pittsboro.. Chatham County is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Combined Statistical Area, which has a . I am not looking for another career or a position for the next 20 years. 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. Jones lists drugs, community partnerships, and training as the top three issues facing the countys law enforcement. 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. Weve got to do what we can and deal with them appropriately when they get here.. They want someone who will allow them to go out and do their job and support them in doing their job, he said. I have a proven track record of doing just that while being the jail administrator since 2018. Length of Term Next Election Year On-Year or Off-Year Election* Term Limit Partisan or Non-Partisan Vacancy Filled By Notes 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). Those objections trigger a 90-day response time from the U.S. Forest Service. I worked the road, and when working the road, you have to know the ins and outs of the drug trade, he said. This isnt something that I take lightly, as I have been preparing for this day for many years.. As your Sheriff, I will be a problem-solver, dedicated to workplace, community and family balance. Were building leaders not just for today, but for tomorrow.. 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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