The only elections here in Western North Carolina are runoffs. Money doesnt always buy happiness, he said. An employee directory of phone numbers and email addresses for Macon County NC Government. 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. Im a father, Im a husband, and most importantly, Im a Christian, he said. 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 a dedicated and passionate law enforcement professional with the education, training, and experience to lead the Macon County Sheriffs Office into the future. Cody Moore served as the Decatur Police Department's Deputy Chief until 2016 when he retired. Cook: I am uniquely suited to address the drug epidemic in Macon County. The proposals I have made thus far are not new ideas. Graham County will choose a Republican sheriff and Jackson County will choose a school board seat. Holbrooks said there is not enough space in the current jail. From there, he began working his way through the ranks as a corporal, sergeant, first sergeant, narcotics investigator, SWAT commander, K9 Supervisor/ Trainer, and now as Captain over Patrol. I am a passionate, dedicated law enforcement officer who puts God first, family second and career third. 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. He says transparency is a pretty easy problem to fix. Phone. But with the amount of drugs in this town, we should be seeing busts every week. My three older children are young adults and they have been raised and educated here in Macon County. 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. Next, I would take the four K-9 Officers and place one per shift. Absolutely for more bed space. 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. Yes. 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. His three-prong approach to the problem includes education, enforcement and rehabilitation. 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. I dont think we need a new jail facility right now. he said. As a father, my goal has always been to protect them, love them, and defend them to the best of my ability. I want to boost their role in the agency as focusing our SROs on being the first line of defense for proactive policing and reaching the next generation. 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. These things, Im very passionate about. Moore had served in law enforcement for 31 years. Were doing a lot on that end of the spectrum, but youve got to have a willing body, he said. He said the Sheriffs Office must continue to help educate the community about drug and substance abuse and he wants to see more mental health and rehabilitation resources available. County Boards of Elections Information BallotTrax (Absentee Ballot Tracking) Voter Registration Statistics View all tools and forms. 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. TOWN OF FRANKLIN MAYOR SCOTT, ROBERT STEWART. Born and raised in Newton, Iowa, Cook joined the Navy in 1972 and served until 1992 as a personnel specialist. I want them to be in the schools other than the SROs and have positive interactions with our kids, he said. He chose to run because people were telling him about the issues they were having in the community and with the Sheriffs Office. Were going to get back to enforcing the law the way it is supposed to be done.. That increased presence and visibility will only benefit the county as a whole. It was there that he was mentored by Holland before Holland was ever elected to his current position. Chris Browning wants to bring change to Macon County and an aggressive approach to the drug problem. I believe in fairness. 94.1 Lumberton 99.9 Southern Pines, Courtesy of North Carolina Board of Elections. 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. 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. As I embrace this journey to become your Sheriff, I do so knowing that together we can make a difference. The men and women of the MCSO also volunteer their . Theres going to be a learning curve for everybody, he said. In his current district, the political consequences of his decision are only just beginning to emerge. His education program would include more trained School Resource Officers, including a roving K9 unit and K9 demonstrations in the schools. Lastly, is there anything else you would like voters to know? I know how it affected me as a young man, he said. 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. Many of you already know me, my personality, and my character through our personal interactions over the years. 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. Chris Browning welcomes all Macon County residents to a town hall style meet-and-greet. Cook: I would like the voters to know I am not one that is used to failure. 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. Candidates were asked to provide a short bio and were asked the same questions. 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. Weve got to get out and listen to concerns, 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. Other officers are the best recruiters Ive got.. Holbrooks touted his experience coming face-to-face with the drug trade. Some of the top issues Browning wants to address are drugs, highway interdiction and increasing community patrols. There were five candidates in the race. Cook: While each area can be improved upon, the Investigations area can use some improving. Filing Date. The Macon County Board of Elections confirmed that Republican Dereck Jones requested a recount after coming in second place in the primary election by just 54 votes. If people have a question, they can ask me; if they have a complaint, they can complain.. This is where I grew up; where my children and grandchildren are growing up. So when I go in, Im going in with a fresh, clear head looking at the problems we have, he said. This site supports and informs our residents about voting, candidates, and events to promote this cause. 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. He has served many roles in the agency and is currently captain over patrol. 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. 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. I want to further our agency just as Sheriff Holland has worked to do for many years. Unless they have to call them, they dont see a deputy out there, he said. My wife, Sarah, a Macon County School Assistant Principal, and I invite you to learn more about our family and community perspectives by openly encouraging a dialogue between us. 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. Lastly, I would look at the manning in the courthouse and other areas to see who may be able to move to this vital area.. Many were close races. I am the only candidate who has experience in every division under the Sheriffs Office running for this position. Brent Holbrooks, Lt. Clay Bryson and Lt. Dereck Edward Jones. Brent Holbrooks is a lieutenant at the MCSO who has been with the office about 23 years. If I says I will accomplish something, I will make every effort to get it done. Prior to my announcement in April 2021, I had been approached by several citizens in Macon County who related their concerns to me. We need to offer our community members an alternative to turning to drugs and the power and knowledge to break free from addiction, he said. What do you see as the strongest area currently within the department? Im very approachable. This starts within our schools and each individual community. Brent Holbrooks in Macon County won the. Jones: I have been blessed to have worked with some really good law enforcement professionals over the years while on patrol and in investigations. 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. 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. . 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). 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. I have proudly served under Sheriff Robbie Holland in a variety of progressively more responsible leadership roles that I hope to have culminate in being elected Sheriff in 2022. Bryson said Macon County is his home, his children and grandchild are growing up here and he is dedicated to providing them a safe community to grow up in. I obtained my law enforcement certification from Southwestern Community College and I began working at the Macon County Sherrifs Department in 1999. They wanted a change in leadership. I felt that the only way to ensure these concerns were addressed properly was to no longer sit on the sidelines. He also believes in treating people equally. 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. He wants to set up a merit-based system to recognize officers and individuals at the lower ranks. Jones said he is humbled by the support Macon County has shown him from the time he was a child, and he wants to help set an example as others did for him. Some of you know me as Deputy Holbrooks and more recently as Lieutenant Holbrooks, others know me as COACH. Its another way to reach people.. He worked for Western Carolina University Police for almost 14 years before moving on to work at the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. I intend on installing a drug tip hot line and making the supervisor over narcotics responsible to responses to the complaints. When it comes to recruiting new officers, he plans to reach out to community colleges and universities and suggests offering incentive pay for officers with prior law enforcement experience, training and certifications. 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. But at the same time, he thinks there is a place for showing compassion for users and helping them find the rehabilitation and recovery help they need. Im not going to sit around and just let the drugs go crazy because were waiting on the big guy. 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. But for those who do not, I wanted to give you a glimpse into who I am and why I am requesting your support. 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 want to instill trust in the community once again. Macon County Voting & Election Information Every United States citizen 18 years of age and older who have resided in the election district 30 days before an election is entitled to register and vote in that district. 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. 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. 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. Sheriff Robert Holland announced on June 18 that he would Premium Content is available to subscribers only. The drug problem affects every single family in Macon County.. Cook retired after earning the rank of Chief Petty Officer with Surface Warfare Qualifications. I will take on the drug dealers in each community and work with outside agencies to provide help to addicts. 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 have to serve the needs of the public and the commissioners, he said. I born 45 years ago and raised right here in Macon County. I am the right individual for this position. Itd be a reconstruction of the whole department.. 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. This isnt something that I take lightly, as I have been preparing for this day for many years.. The North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force (Task Force) has submitted its 2023 Annual Report to Governor Cooper and the NC General Assembly. For all the drugs coming out of Atlanta, Athens, right through Macon County, into Jackson County, Swain County.. It just happens to be a political position, but I am elected by the people and always for the people. Neither Bryson or Holbrooks answered this question, which was their right to do. With that being said, we need to get the courthouse secured, and we need to get the X-ray machines up and going.. I will also not lie to them. Candidate Profiles for Macon County Sheriff Candidate Clay Bryson and Brent Holbrooks, the two candidates to respond to interview questions for The Southern Scoop News. Your email address will not be published. We have an academy in our backyard, we need to be utilizing that as much as possible, he said. 4) If you were not running for office, which of the other candidates would you vote for and why? He said when people dont get a response it leads them to think there is something to hide. The people in Nantahala want to know someone is close by so they dont have to wait an hour.. 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. 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. 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. This election is not about me, its about you, meaning the public, and of course, our youth.. I want them to know that I will never knowingly let them down. 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. 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. He said by reaching kids at an early age, you can begin sowing the mindset of giving back to community. Its the highest liability position, and during the last three and a half years, Ive had the opportunities administratively to work on the budget with the chief deputy, Jones said. Related to community partnerships is educating youth not only about the dangers such as drug use, but also showing them opportunities available. I will then print each candidates response to the questions in their entirety. He says that starts with the community drug dealers. The candidates to replace Holland bring a variety of experience. 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