EIGHT CANDIDATES WANT TO BE CLEBURNE'S SHERIFF

Cleburne County will have a primary election for the Democratic and
Republican parties in the sheriff's race on June 4. On the Democratic
ticket, Sheriff Darrell Durham faces Joe Jacks, Greg Merrill and Ralph
Turner. Jim Chupp, Bob Klinsic, Tommy Morrow and Tim Sprayberry are
candidates in the Republican primary. The candidates agree that Cleburne
County faces a growing drug problem.

In separate interviews they shared their solution to that problem and other
issues they feel are important in the county.

Why do you feel that you are qualified to be the sheriff of Cleburne County?

Durham: When I came into office 11 years ago, I brought some new and
different ideas.

I've brought the sheriff's department up-to-date. I've gotten training for
the department. I'm familiar with what's going on in the county.

I believe the sheriff's department has good deputies and staff who get the
job done.

Jacks: I have 25 years of law enforcement experience, all in Cleburne
County. I feel that in that length of time I've become familiar with the
county and the residents.

Klinsic: My experience of the last 15 years with a variety of law
enforcement agencies from the federal to state level and military along
with correctional custody.

Merrill: I have 14 years of law enforcement experience in Cleburne County.
I have worked in all aspects of law enforcement from traffic to murder
investigation. As the county coroner, I have experience in forensics.

I'm a FBI certified firearms instructor.

Morrow: I have no law enforcement experience, but I am strong minded and
have determination. If I see something that needs doing, I'll get it done.

Sprayberry: Experience and education.

I have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Auburn University. I've
worked on a master's degree in political science and public administration
at Jacksonville State University. I have 10 years law enforcement
experience at Anniston and Opelika. As a small business owner, I have
management experience.

Turner: I have 30 years of law enforcement experience that includes
numerous schools and training.

What is the biggest threat to public safety in the county?
How would you work on the problem?

Durham: Drugs and theft or invasion of property go together.

At least 9.5 out of 10 crimes are drug-related because the perpetrator
needs money for drugs. It's a never-ending problem.

You can pursue and arrest the criminals.

The mere presence of a patrol car is a deterrent.

Because of present conditions, at any one time during a 24-hour period,
there's only one marked patrol car on duty. The only way to improve that is
to have more deputies, which means the county commission will have to
appropriate the funds for more deputies. There are six crime watch areas in
the county.

They are very helpful in letting us know what's going on and it's reduced
crimes in their areas.

Jacks: Drugs, burglary and theft are some major threats to the county.

Of course drugs lead to more crimes. As a preventive measure, I would have
more patrols in the communities, in marked cars. Being more visual is a
deterrent.

Klinsic: Lack of law enforcement. We are kidding ourselves with only four
deputies.

We live in the 20th century but are operating in the 19th century.

We have approximately 5,000 miles of roads and 14,000 residents and we
can't protect our residents with only four deputies. I would work with the
county commission, probate judge and state and federal agencies to come up
with enough money to fund at least 10 more deputies.

We need at least four on duty 24 hours, seven days per week.

Merrill: Drugs. According to experts, 75 to 80 percent of crimes are
drug-related. We need a hardcore approach and use programs like
interdiction patrols on the interstate. Morrow: Drugs. We need to use the
K-9 unit in the schools on a random basis. Speeding. Our county roads are
not being patrolled.

Patrols would be a deterrent in both problems.

Sprayberry: Drugs are the biggest threat to our children.

I would agressively pursue the manufacturers and growers.

In the past years, Cleburne County has been in the top five counties in
marijuana production. Yet during the eradication programs, we return to the
same locations every year. If we know where it's grown, we should be able
to catch the growers.

We need drug awareness programs in the schools with a deputy at each high
school to teach the program.

Turner: Drugs and theft.

I would be aggressive in pursuit of the drug dealers and bring in any
outside help needed such as the Drug Task Force or Drug Enforcement Agency.

What is a program that you would like to focus on?

Durham: At the top of my list would be drug awareness and burglary
prevention. Right now, our focus is to get the new jail off the ground and
running.

Revenue from INS (immigration) prisoners could be used to fund training and
equipment for the deputies and jailers.

Jacks: Involvement in our schools.

To make a difference over a period of time, we need to start a drug
awareness education program by the first grade.

I would like to see more involvement to create a relationship with the
schools and the students.

Klinsic: There are so many programs that need addressing. They can't be
addressed without proper personnel.

Drugs are a major issue.

We need to utilize state and federal assistance for the drug problem.

Merrill: I want to use state prisoners to clean up the county's roadsides.

Why let prisoners sit in jail with nothing to do? We need to put the
inmates to work and use their labor.

Morrow: Drug enforcement would be my number one priority.

I also believe people need prompt service when they call the sheriff's
department.

Sprayberry: There are so many things that need working on.

As a new sheriff, I would have policy manuals for the deputies and jailers
to ensure that everyone is treated fairly.

We need 24 hour patrolling throughout the county. The county commission has
joined the Drug Task Force, but I'm not sure if the sheriff's department is
involved.

The commission has approved the funding for the task force and that gives
us the right to have one officer involved.

Turner: We have to get drugs out of our schools because that's where the
problem starts.

We need to use the DARE program and try to get an officer in the schools.

Is there another issue you want to mention?

Durham: I would like to see the county commission take a closer view of
what the sheriff's department does and the sheriff's responsibilities are
and our role in law enforcement. I would like to see the county commission
learn more about what the sheriff's department is in local government
instead of evading the issue.

Jacks: I would have a working relationship with the county commission.
That's important to the department's budget.

We need more money to have more deputies.

Using programs like housing INS prisoners in the new jail would bring more
money back into the sheriff's budget to finance needs like more deputies.

Klinsic: I could speak for hours on different issues.

But two main things are to bring back the meaning of law enforcement by
enforcing all laws - federal, state and county.

Redefine "protect and serve." Protect means to protect the life and
property and to serve is the sheriff's job by taking care of the county needs.

Merrill: A good, working relationship with the county commission is important.

I would be a hands-on sheriff.

Communications with your employees and the public is the only way to know
what is going on.

Morrow: Protecting the elderly is at the top of my agenda.

They are the people who can't protect themselves. If the sheriff's
department is called, someone should go. You never know when a call is
serious or not, and you could let something happen that you would regret.

If a deputy is not available, then the sheriff should go.

I will work with the county commission and probate judge for a better
Cleburne County.

Sprayberry: I believe I could be an asset to the county through my
experience and education.

My political connections could also help get support from the state and
possibly grants and funding later on.

Turner: I would give the people of Cleburne County a sheriff's department
that they could be proud of.

An interview with Republican candidate Jim Chupp was not available.