Posted 1:37 am Friday, February 10, 2012
Smith County Sheriff Candidates Answer Questions From TJC's Students
By TIM MONZINGO
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Three of Smith County's four sheriff candidates squared off in another public debate Thursday, answering questions submitted by students from Tyler Junior College's criminal justice program.
Larry Smith, Bobby Garmon and Chris Green appeared before more than 150 residents to answer questions at TJC. Candidate Donn Rust was not present because of a prior commitment, moderator and Criminal Justice Department chairman Jason Waller said.
"We thought this would be a great way to get our students involved in the political process," Waller said. "They need to be informed."
The debate gave the students, who may enter area law enforcement agencies after graduation, an opportunity to see who their future leaders may be, criminal justice professor Mary Pile said.
The students submitted several hundred questions, and faculty members whittled that number to about 30, Waller said.
Candidates touched on issues including cost-saving measures, restructuring the sheriff's office and what set them apart from each other.
Candidate Larry Smith highlighted how his time working with local and national authorities on a variety of cases prepared him to deal with a range of law enforcement issues. Smith served with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for 34 years.
"I'm good at what I've done in law enforcement, and I've done a lot more" than the other candidates, he said. "I can bring all that to the table with me to help me lead."
Bobby Garmon, a 31-year veteran of the Smith County Sheriff's Office, said his time with the office has given him the knowledge on operations and administrative tasks the others don't have.
Garmon said under his leadership as sheriff, the office would continue to be ranked a top law enforcement agency in the state.
"We have 270 years in our staff. We have the best detectives and the best patrolmen," he said. "I think over my 31 years of experience, you can see" my qualifications.
Chris Green, a Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden for more than 20 years, said he's come to know and understand the people in the county.
The connections and experiences he's had working in rural areas gives him the leg up in protecting them, he said. Green's campaign motto is "a fresh start."
"I know these counties better than any of these candidates running," he said. "I know what the issues are facing this county."
Smith and Green want to crack down on drug trafficking and usage in the county as a means to reduce crimes such as theft and burglary. Both said crimes such as burglary and theft are a result of drug use that would be significantly affected by more interdiction.
Garmon said the problems of burglary, theft and crimes of opportunity were the most severe criminal issues facing the county.
He strongly advocated for updating communications systems used by the department, which he said had not been improved since 1997. Green advocated for more deputies and greater interagency cooperation. Smith said he would not ask for more deputies or money until he could make sure the office was operating as efficiently as possible with what it had.
All three candidates said if elected, one significant reform would be hiring a public relations specialist to handle media inquiries.
Garmon said as sheriff, he would focus on maintaining the office's reputation around the state as a high-performing and effective organization.
Smith said his candidacy is aimed at establishing new leadership, which the office is "lacking."
Green said his campaign was built on "new leadership and new vision" to address inefficiencies in the office's duties and troubles in the county.
The election likely will be decided in the upcoming primary because all candidates are running as Republicans. The primary date has yet to be determined. Current Sheriff J.B. Smith has served in the position for 36 years and will step down at the end of his term Dec. 31.
Another candidate forum will be held by Grassroots America - We the People on Feb. 17 at the Lakeview Church of the Nazarene.
