Rick Brown for Sheriff

[The Watcher]

Rick:

Thank you for posting something for us to all review. As you see, it has already created discussion. I enjoyed reading your post and I will look forward to the replies on several of the questions posed by others.

How is the current administration taking to your campaign, has this caused you any problems, I would hope not. I would suggest you watch your back, you saw what the sheriff did to Bill Imfeld, that is still a pending matter...

One post touched on your opinions of the current administration and any opportunities that may exist. I understand now may not be the time or place to comment, but understand that it will need to be discussed at some point on the trail.

I will look forward to continued discussion and hopefully you will remain active on this post. Thank you and good luck.

 

[The Watcher]

Hi Rick,

Thanks for posting and opening up to the public, Good move. I have a couple of questions for you.

1. Whats your thoughts of having a mix of civilian and law enforcement setting up a review board to look at public complaints and watch over the jail and provide a check and balance back to the community.

2. Will you have an "OPEN RIDER" program for the media to ride along and be able to report back to the community what they observed?

3. Will you seek to bring the deputies wages to a level that represents a cross the board average nationally?

4. Would you be willing to go on local radio and TV say once a month to give updates with the department?

I am sure I could come up with more but lets see where we are at with these right now. Thanks and Good Luck!

I am not Rick, but I will voice my opinion on your #2 question. "Open Rider" or ride alongs are not the best way for media to get involved in law enforcement and the reporting of its activities. First, it opens the County up to severe liability (yes, they can sign a waiver and all that, we will still get sued if something was to happen, like a crash on 98 due to bad tires...) The relationship with the media and WCSO does not exist, not at all. Whom ever is the next sheriff, needs to start with baby steps and slowly introduce the media, if this is the route chosen.

Many officers I have spoken with do not like riders with them. The space in the cars is just too small (computer posts) and it really can be a distraction. If an officer takes their job seriously, they are mentally and physically prepared each day/night for the job. To have them carry a passenger, especially one from the media, sniffing the air for a story, is a bit much.

 

[Rick Brown]

To BeachHouse 25,
Thanks for your response and questions and I will do my best to answer them and any more that you have.
I will answer your first question in two parts.
(Q) 1st part of question is about my thoughts of having a mix of civilian and law enforcement sitting up a board to look at public complaints
(A) Are we talking about citizens who have officer complaints? If so this is sensitive public record material and can only be investigated by the department. As with most investigations the results can be viewed by the public.
(Q) 2nd part of the question is about watching over the jail and providing checks and balances to be brought back to the community.
(A) I very much understand where you are going with this, but the jail is run by the County Commissioners. Danny Glidwell is the supervisor in charge of the jail. You may want to foreword this question to him and see if he responds. The Sheriff’s Office is not connected with the jail.

(Q) Your 2nd question deal is about a media ride-along program.

(A) Absolutely. I believe the media should be involved if it doesn’t conflict with laws pertaining to public records and sensitive investigations that may be compromised by a publication. I know several deputies do not like riders due to the fact that they feel uncomfortable with a stranger who may compromise their protection if the situation arises. They have a higher stress level and also worry about the liability issue. I believe the press is more of a friend than an enemy.

(Q) Your 3rd question is will I seek a wage level that is comparable to the national average.

(A) YES.I will seek higher wages for the deputies and will not quit until I have the wages at a comfortable level for them to not worry payday to payday. I do not see how some of Walton County deputies live on their salaries at this time. On the average a deputy clears about $2,500.00 a month after taxes. How is he supposed to pay rent/mortgage, all utilities, car payment, insurance and all other expenses if he is married with children? He has to be a genius.

(Q) Your 4th question asks if I would go on TV/radio and give a local update on the department’s activity on a regular basis.
(A) yes I would love to keep the public informed and may even start an information website for the public to read. The department has one now but is not in use or up to date that I know of.

I hope this answers your questions, Thank you so much for being concerned about the deputies. I know if they knew people like you were concerned about their welfare, they would hold their heads up higher with pride. And thank you again for your questions; I appreciate the opportunity to answer them.
Rick

 

[The Watcher]

Rick: I have another question for both you and Dennis Wise. Why is it that up to this point, only the two of you (the two most qualified candidates currently running) are the only ones entertaining us with your presence on SoWal? Do you think other candidate(s) are just too confident in their appeal north of the bay to spend time conversing with us on this fourm? I really wish one of you would reach out to James Macon and get him recruited to one of your sides. He has great intention running, but no one even knows who he is. He could be a valuable asset to a campaign, he already is a valuable asset to our community and to the department.

I will reserve comment on your current "boss" as I do not want to put you into a bad situation, but he does not even communicate with the media let alone us on SoWal.

Also, are you open to attending a public forum/debate with other candidates? I know this idea has been bounced around with both pros and cons. Any ideas?

 

[Rick Brown]

To The Watcher
Thanks for the questions.
I do not know Mr. Macon and do not know what his intentions are. However I have heard of him and would like the pleasure of meeting him. I would very much like to gain “HIS” support for my campaign.
I can’t speak for the other candidates as to why they don’t respond to “SOWAL”. All I can tell you is I will treat South Walton the same as North Walton. As you know the bridge separates North and South. The bridge is a physical barrier but not a mental barrier, and it shouldn’t be for any elected official. I wish the North end of the County had a “NOWAL”. If they did I would be steadily responding to them as well. As for now I have to do the best I can with the North.
You enquired if I would be a willing participant in a debate or forum. The answer is no. Please let me explain. I do not wish to debate with any official about their ideas, plans or concerns. All it creates is confusion between the public and the candidates and gives the public a harder decision to make at the voting polls. I think all the candidates want about the same thing.
Rick

 

[Pumpkin-22]

I'm quite pleased to see that some of the candidates are making themselves accessible on this message board. Also great to see so many people interested in this race.

 

[beach blessings]

Politics as I have posted in other threaddds lately...isn't usually my cup of tea, but I leef led to drink a double expresso with this issue.

Rick Brown is by far, from what I have seen, the best candidate for the race at this time. I have not had a chance to get to know all the candidates...although I am working towards that...

Rick Brown has represented the north end of the county very well while being a Deputy for the Walton County Sheriffs Dept, and I know that with his background...and an eagerness he has already displayed to learn whatever he needs to from other jurisdictions to find a way to solve every problem that he can when in office. He truly has an open-door policy, and wants to make... his home...our home...Walton County a better place to live and visit!

Please take the time to check Rick out...His web site can help you get started...and take him up on his offer and meet him for that cup of coffee...

Make you own judgement call...but please get to know every candidate!

Myself...Rick Brown is my Choice for Sheriff!

 

[The Watcher]

To The Watcher
Thanks for the questions.
I do not know Mr. Macon and do not know what his intentions are. However I have heard of him and would like the pleasure of meeting him. I would very much like to gain ?HIS? support for my campaign.
I can?t speak for the other candidates as to why they don?t respond to ?SOWAL?. All I can tell you is I will treat South Walton the same as North Walton. As you know the bridge separates North and South. The bridge is a physical barrier but not a mental barrier, and it shouldn?t be for any elected official. I wish the North end of the County had a ?NOWAL?. If they did I would be steadily responding to them as well. As for now I have to do the best I can with the North.
You enquired if I would be a willing participant in a debate or forum. The answer is no. Please let me explain. I do not wish to debate with any official about their ideas, plans or concerns. All it creates is confusion between the public and the candidates and gives the public a harder decision to make at the voting polls. I think all the candidates want about the same thing.
Rick

Thank you for your reply. All I can say is that I must admit slight disappointment in your "no" response to a debate of forum. I would ask you, urge you to reconsider...

 

[Rick Brown]

To Sunset Baby,
Thank you for your positive posting! Your trust and support just makes me more determined to win this election. I intend to prove to you and the other citizens of Walton County that you did make the right choice.
Thanks again
Rick

 

[wrobert]

(Q) Your 3rd question is will I seek a wage level that is comparable to the national average.

(A) YES.I will seek higher wages for the deputies and will not quit until I have the wages at a comfortable level for them to not worry payday to payday. I do not see how some of Walton County deputies live on their salaries at this time. On the average a deputy clears about $2,500.00 a month after taxes. How is he supposed to pay rent/mortgage, all utilities, car payment, insurance and all other expenses if he is married with children? He has to be a genius.

I guess I should stay out of this but since it is here. What salary is it that you suggest is a comfortable level for the deputies? To clarify, what deputies are being included in the average that you give? Not names, ranks or positions. How does all of this relate to the 'Cody' wage study that has been used to justify raises for the deputies in the past two budget years? I have never really followed the Sheriff's budget that much, but I do know it seems to generate a lot of conversation.