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Deputies focus on daily work
New sheriff will have hiring and firing power
Published Monday, November 2, 2009
NATCHEZ — As the buzz of an election reaches fever pitch, one place in town sits still and quiet — the sheriff’s office.
It’s not that deputies and office employees don’t care — they certainly do — but when your new boss is about to be elected, silence is best, most have decided.
“As a whole up here at the office, it’s been very quiet. Our focus is doing our jobs,” Sheriff Angie Brown said. “It’s very difficult. You don’t want to alienate any of the candidates because you don’t know who will be coming in.”
Brown said since the sheriff has hiring and firing power, the deputies’ anxiety comes from wondering if they will still be employed after the election.
“This is everyone’s livelihood, not only for financial reasons, but health-related reasons as well,” Brown said. “It’s just very stressful. Everybody who works here is very professional in their duties, and it would be a shame for them to lose their jobs.”
Brown said her decision not to enter the race to fill her late-husband’s seat has been a source for her own anxiety.
“I have guilty feelings that maybe if I would have stayed in the race, that they might be able to keep their jobs. But even I couldn’t be guaranteed I’d be elected,” Brown said.
ACSO Maj. Ricky Stevens said he’s experienced his fair share of working with and for sheriffs within Adams County, and the palpable silence coming from younger deputies isn’t surprising.
“The reason they don’t want to talk about it is because they don’t want it sounding like they’re supporting one of the candidates over the other,” Stevens said. “The candidate they’re not supporting might kick them (out of the office.)
“Deputies aren’t protected under civil service like police officers are in the state of Mississippi. That’s why most of your deputies really don’t like election times.”
Stevens said this election is unlike any he’s ever experienced there is no incumbent. Typically, deputies support the incumbent, Stevens said.
“You have a little bit of antsy-ness every time an election comes along, but the mood in the office has shifted quite a bit (for this election) because you don’t have an incumbent, and there are seven people running for the office,” Stevens said.
Because there are so many candidates in the race and there is what Brown called “a fear of the unknown,” Stevens said some deputies are experiencing an “elevated sense of alarm.”
Stevens said another factor that has many officers on edge isn’t a fear of the unknown, but rather the confusion that goes along with hearsay.
“We’re human too. We hear the rumors on the street just like everybody else,” Stevens said.
Deputy Jack Smith said focus is the best thing deputies can do during this time, and no matter what, the job has to be done — anxiety or no anxiety.
Smith, who has worked with worked with the Natchez Police Department from 1971 until joining the ACSO in 1995, said there is a formula to staying focused.
“You do your job, election or no election,” Smith said.
“Whoever becomes sheriff, you follow that person’s orders. It’s not rocket science.”
Stevens said his advice to the younger deputies who’ve never witnessed an election from within the office is basically the same as Smith’s.
“I try to tell them, ‘the main thing you can do is focus on your job, and do the best you can.’ And hopefully, when the new sheriff takes office, he’ll see them out there doing their job and keep them on.
“The majority of the officers working up here just want someone who will do the job well and keep them employed so they can make it to their retirements and support their families.”
Comments
Posted by droopy (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think most everyone there will be safe no matter who takes office. If Freeman gets in there it will be a mess, im sure all of his buddies will carry a badge. Randy Freeman spells TROUBLE for Adams county. Everyone please get out and vote to keep Randy Freeman from ruining our county.
Posted by PumpkinPixie (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do believe the author of this story meant to write "quiet" instead of "quite" in the first line. It completely detracts from the story when in the very first line there is a typo. =(
Posted by droopy (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL
Posted by ChickadeeNest (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I like how Brown said "It would be a shame for them to lose their jobs" when her husband came in and fired everyone who had been working there for more than a couple of years.
Posted by sobeit (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
droopy - Sounds like you are afraid your canditate will be beaten by Randy Freeman. Sure hope Randy does beat your candidate.
You are Negative, Negative, Negative
Posted by bobbingforapples (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ronny brown was my friend. he stuck his neck out for me. tomorrow we have a choice, continue with what he started or go down an unknown road. my vote goes for randy freeman. he has the same character and beliefs as ronny. we need a man in office that can bring this county together, work with everybody, have good common sense, honest, and trustworthy. Can we come together tomorrow?? let's stand up, keep this progress moving forward, and say "this election is not for sale"
Posted by busterb (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Has anyone realized that if either Randy Freeman or Ray
Brown win the sheriff's election there will have to be another special election to fill the constable seat that they were elected to by the people.
This SPECIAL ELECTION had to be held because Sheriff Brown died in office and someone has to replace him. This is an expense that we have to bear at no fault to anyone.....
Our economy is at its weakess point at this time. We need all the tax monies collected to be put to good use, not to pay for another special election. I'd rather see this money be donated to the children's home or the animal shelter. I can't see it to better RANDY FREEMAN'S or RAY BROWN'S PERSONAL RETIREMENT!!! What about u?
YES, THEIR RUNNING FOR PERSONAL REASONS, NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF ADAMS COUNTY!
Another special election will cost the taxpayers $50,000 to
$70,000 TAXPAYERS DOLLARS!!!
They cannot even fulfill their obligation as elected constable. Why would the citizens want them to be sheriff? They might see greener grass later and decide to run for ANOTHER ELECTED OFFICE, if it pays more than $80,000 a year! Again, causing another SPECIAL ELECTION!
Voters, send a message to RANDY FREEMAN and RAY BROWN that if you run for a office and the people elect you, you should FULFILL YOUR DUTIES to the office to which you are elected!!!
PLEASE SEND A MESSAGE THAT THIS IS NOT WHY THEY WERE ELECTED TO THEIR CONSTABLE POSITIONS, TO RUN FOR SOMETHING BETTER! WE'RE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE...
PERSONALLY, I THINK BOTH SHOULD HAVE RESIGNED THEIR CONSTABLE POSITIONS TO SEEK ANOTHER POSITION....BET THEY WOULD NOT HAVE RAN THEN!!!!!!!
Posted by west (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ChickadeeNest - Ronny Brown did not fire everyone when he went into office. He did not rehire 12 employees, most of which said they would not work for Ronny and did not even apply. No one would hire someone that did not want to work for you or with you for that matter.
Posted by bobcat (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Vote for" RANDY FREEMAN"
Posted by Lemone (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On the eve of the election, It is my hope that all citizens of Adams County take a good look at each of the candidates --- their education, experience, longevity, and especially their track record. Look at their actions --- did they start going to church right before the election, or have they been attending for many years? Did they start "being professional" just before the election, or have they been treating the citizens of our county with respect during their tenure as patrolman, investigator, or other? Are they "shacking up" or married? Have they given to the community in the form of community service? volunteerism? or just what they were PAID to do. These questions matter!! These actions define the man/woman as who they truly are, and not what they want you to THINK they are. These actions separate the true leaders from the fakes. In these turbulent times, Adams County needs a real leader. Not someone tagging on coat tails. Not someone who has just been 'nice' to everyone. Not someone who is gruff and tough and thinks that intimidation is power (imagine a Sheriff like that!). Adams County needs someone who can lead us through the tough times ahead -- Someone who is strong, level-headed, experienced, community-oriented, and capable. There is only one name that can fill those shoes. ONLY ONE! It is an easy choice if you look at the facts. Chuck Mayfield is the ONLY person in this race who qualifies as a true leader in every aspect of his life. If you will look at the history of each candidate, I think you will agree.
Posted by bigdaddy101 (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Vote Randy Freeman!
Posted by TigerLily (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 11:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just a little note to Ms Brown's comments on the deputies just doing their job. One of the deputies is certainly doing his job----out campaigning on duty, in his uniform, in his patrol car on the taxpayer's $. I saw a Freeman truck pull up behind the Sheriff's office and bring out a loud speaker to put on his truck. Guess he needs a little a help in getting his message out. This way all of the taxpayers get to be involved in his campaign, even if they are not voting for him. If this is the way he is using the public office and taxpayer money now, what is he going to do when he's in charge? And shame on you Ms Brown for allowing it.
Posted by Big_Red16 (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 1:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
busterb you have a lot of nerve. On top of that you don't have a clue.Those two men have both been constables for some years now. They have both been re-elected for more than one term.Why wouldn't anyone want to improve if the chance presented itself. I'm sure you would.But maybe not because YOU are a "BUSTER". Go for it guys. Go get it RAY BROWN.
Posted by busterb (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh yea! I got a lot of nerve! I tell it like it is.....There's no reason to try and improve your job at the exspense of the taxpayers............... just fulfill your duties to the office for which you were elected! If you want to seek another position, do it in the regular election...........It/s people like u
that like to waste taxpayers $$$........NOT ME!!
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