Issues

Building a New Jail  (11/20/2021)

   I want to take this opportunity to address the issue of building a new jail in Beaufort County.  In the present political and economic climate, taking on a capital improvement project this large is ill-advised.  The jail is the joint responsibility of the Sheriff and the Commissioners.  This is where communication is key and fiscally responsible.

   The problem we have right now is Sheriff Coleman refuses to work with Commissioners in general and relies on his four votes that includes two Democrats to get his agenda pushed through. Sheriff Coleman was against building a new jail before being elected.  Now that he is Sheriff, he wants his name on a plaque attached to a new jail for posterity.  Once again his ego takes control as he spends the tax payer's money.

   Why are the Commissioners considering a new jail?  Could it be the high operating costs?  I'm not going to say the jail is being completely mismanaged; however, I am going to say Sheriff Coleman has and will inflate the operating costs to force the Commissioners to act.  Once again, he puts his personal desires ahead of the people he has taken an oath to serve.

  I have learned the jail is inspected by the state and the local Fire Marshal each year.  Each one generates a detailed report listing any changes or deficiencies identified in the jail. These reports are sent to the Sheriff, the County Commissioners, and the County Manager.  These inspections are in addition to any problems identified by the jail staff and corrected during the year.  The Sheriff should identify the most pressing needs and discuss them with Commissioners to obtain funding.  The repairs are a joint responsibility shared by the elected officials to best serve the people.  As long as the jail passes these inspections, I will not encourage the Commissioners to build a new facility.

  Again, Sheriff Coleman lets the problems fester until the costs increase by hundreds of thousands of dollars if not more. 

  The County is responsible for the medical care of the people in the jail.  Sheriff Coleman also fails to monitor the medical costs.  With the number of people passing through the jail each year, medical costs can become a burden on the taxpayers.  The Sheriff is using this artificially inflated cost to further his push for a new jail with his name on it.

  If elected Sheriff, I will monitor jail expenses closely, communicate with the Commissioners frequently and explore new cost saving measures for the jail. I want to push the need for a new jail as far into the future as I can.  Without effective leadership and funding, the present jail will fail quickly. 

  As your Sheriff, I will manage your tax dollars efficiently and make decisions in the best interest of the people I have sworn to serve.    

School Resource Officers  (11/18/2021)

   I have been talking to people all around the county and can see how dissatisfied they are with the decision to remove Deputies from the schools.  I want to state clearly that if I am elected Sheriff, I will work with the School Board and the Commissioners to put Deputies back in the schools where they belong.  The safety of our schools and our children is important to me.  I am sure the private security company the school board hired is competent; however, they do not work under the umbrella and authority of the Sheriff.  In the Sheriff's Office, School Resource Officers volunteer for this special assignment.  They want to work with children and be a role model for them that encourages a positive interaction with law enforcement.

   Now, how did we get to where we are today?  The path is simple.  The School Board signs a contract with the county and the Sheriff provides and supervises the Deputies for the SRO positions.  They are required by contract to work at the schools.  The present Sheriff wanted the Deputies to work when and where he said often leaving the schools unprotected.  The School Board politely reminded the Sheriff of the terms of the contract.  The Sheriff often reminds those that challenge him that he is a Constitutional Officer and the Deputies belong to him.  

   The present Superintendent, like all of us, wants what we pay for in a contract.  Sheriff Coleman ended the Memorandum of Understanding with the School Board in writing and during a meeting thinking he had the votes needed with the Commissioners to force them to submit to his demands. It appears, since the Sheriff lied about what happened and accused the Commissioners of defunding him, the School Board published a time line of events.  It is clear the Sheriff has lied to the people to cover his actions. 

   The Sheriff soon found he did not have the votes which surprised him.  He never thought the School Board would go with a private company, and he would have a 4-3 vote with the Commissioners to block any School Board action.  The Commissioners decide where the funding goes.   

   The School Board focused on the safety of the children when the Sheriff withdrew his support.  They want security at the schools when the children are there.  Sheriff  Coleman talks about school safety, but his ego drives his decisions.  Since he is a Constitutional Officer, if he does not get his way, he puts the safety and security of our most vulnerable members to fend for themselves.  He does not care. 

   Why not negotiate?  Why is it all or nothing?  He is used to getting his way and when he doesn't, he gets mad and punishes those that cannot protect themselves.  His ego influences his decisions most of the time and the people he has sworn to serve suffer the consequences.  He is not King.  There is an alternative to this bullying attitude.

   My three decades of military service have taught me self-control.  My decisions will be based on common sense and what is truly best for the people in Beaufort County.  If elected Sheriff, my first priority, with help and cooperation from the School Board and Commissioners will be to staff the SRO positions with Deputies.  

FOR REFERENCE: 

WCTI
   November 13, 2020
      School Resource Officer Program faces changes in Beaufort County

Washington Daily News
   January 6, 2021
      Beaufort County Schools to seek proposals for School Resource Officer Services

Washington Daily News
   March 26, 2021
      Beaufort County Schools releases timeline of process to get new School Resource Officers

Second Amendment  (11/17/2021)

   A clear majority of the Founding Fathers unquestionably believed in a universal right to bear arms.  As a candidate for Sheriff for Beaufort County, it is important for residents to know my position as it relates to the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

   I do not believe the Federal Government or any individual in the Federal Government has the right to dictate to the states, counties or municipalities any mandate, regulation, administrative rule, or executive order that violates the United States Constitution or its amendments.  I would view any such mandate, regulation, administrative rule, or executive order illegal and refuse to enforce it.

   With that being said, it is important to remember that a Sheriff does not make or interpret the laws in North Carolina.  The Sheriff enforces state laws and local ordinances.  The legislative members of the state House and Senate, elected by the people, make the laws as they feel reflect the sentiments and values of their constituents.  The courts, up to and including the United States Supreme Court, rule on the constitutionality of those laws.  It is the responsibility of the Sheriff to enforce the law.

   In 2010 the United States Supreme Court ruled, without question, the people have a right to possess guns.  Rest assured, I will dedicate my time as your Sheriff to protecting your rights as citizens of this great nation.  The safety and security of the people in Beaufort County will be my primary mission.