I hope the citizens of Oconee County will forgive an outsider for commenting . . . as a member of the Snellville Police Department Citizens Alumni I have worked with Trey Downs on several projects and have found him personable, efficient and knowledgeable. I have seen him put in extraordinary amounts of time and effort to connect with the citizens of Snellville, in addition to his regular duties to the department. Our loss would certainly be Oconee County's gain.
Kathy Emanuel
Snellville, GA

Please visit my website at downsforsheriff.com. I want to thank everyone for their support!!

I'm a supervisor with a local County PD. I had the pleasure of working with Trey Downs while assigned to the Drug Task Force. He is an incredibly gifted and hard working police officer. He always operated with the highest levels of integrity and professionalism. The people of Oconee County would no doubt benefit should they elect him as their next Sheriff.

I don't know beans about Trey Downs, but I know Scott Berry. He's a good man who has not allowed his powerful position to corrupt him or degrade his moral character. He has the right attitudes and beliefs to be the head law enforcement officer in Oconee County. He respects the law, and people's rights, and is conscious of every expendature of taxpayer money. Basically, he's a public servant not a dictator.

I too am a Oconee Resident and a Voter. Have been for 29 years. I support Trey Downs for Sheriff. Here are My Reasons: Trey Downs is a good friend comes from a good family and he realizes what being a Public Servant is all about. He has shown this through the Community Base programs his is involved in with the Snellville Police Department. Trey Downs will bring back a Sheriff’s Office where you know the deputies on patrol. Because he will bring Community Policing to a new level to the Sheriff’s Office. I encourage you to go to his website at www.downsforsheriff.com to gather your own opinion on Him. The things he wants to do for this County is great and amazing programs. Trey Downs will he a Sheriff that will respond to the concern of the citizens, I know as a citizen I want to know the deputies riding the road, I want to know what is going on in the County. Most people are saying well Sheriff Berry has NOT done anything to me why vote him, The real QUESTION should What has he done for you and not to you. Trey Downs will be a True PUBLIC SERVANT, and you will be able to see what he is doing FOR you Mr. and Mrs. Oconee County Citizens. Take a look, If you are ready for a Sheriff’s Office you can take PRIDE in then YOUR READY FOR TREY DOWNS TO BE YOUR SHERIFF.

Wonder why this guy can't make a positive comment about the candidate he supports, without being challenged, and questioned by the chief of police about who should be hired where? Very strange response from a police chief, to a person expressing his support for a political candidate.

I'm Gene Langston, former Chief Deputy of Oconee County, now retired. I live and vote in Oconee County. I worked with Scott Berry for 13 years and he is the No 1 Sheriff in Georgia. Under him, crime is among the lowest, if not the lowest, in Georgia. Oconee has flourished with people wanting to live here because of the schools and the low crime rate.

What astounds me is Downs thinks he can beat or even maintain this record. What further astounds me is he says "It's time for a change?" Why is it time for a change? We already have the lowest crime rate of any surrounding counties, including the one in which Cpl. Downs lives. Further, if Downs has shown any leadership in his current department, it is not reflected in his rank. A corporal thinks he can do the job of a Sheriff is like a chicken thinking he can do the job of a racehorse.

I do not think he's qualified to be sheriff, since he's apparently not qualified to be a sergeant. Why change a good thing? The last time this country voted for "change for chage's sake" we got Barak Obama.

Support the only qualified candidate in this race: Scott Berry.

www.downsforsheriff.com

I'm simply trying to figure out what exactly it is Mr. Laturell is asserting.

If he is insinuating that Oconee deputies are not engaged in the community then as an Oconee County Deputy Sheriff, I take umbrage to that as I know it not to be true. Our partnership and relationship with the community is a point of pride among us.

He says he wants deputies that he knows. I live where he is a deputy, but I don't know him; so, does that disqualify him?

Thank you for your support! www.downsforsheriff.com.

This deputy chief continuing to question a citizen over and over for posing a political idea that he disagrees with, is troublesome.

The poll showing Trey Downs ahead of the incumbent sheriff by almost 2 to 1, is thought provoking. It is healthy for citizens to get involved with discussion about these candidates, both pro and con. Citizens can say that you like this young man becuase of his deep roots in the community, and that you support him and his fresh ideas, or you are free to compare him to Barak Obama and a chicken. You can also say the incumbent is number 1 in Georgia, and talk about the good job you think he has done, or say too many years in elected office have made him arrogant and complacent, and say he needs to go. That's all fair game in the arena of politics.

However when an on-duty officer, in badge and uniform, armed, and cloaked with the color of law, who has power and authority over the rest of us, interjects himself into that discourse, and repeatedly questions a citizen who expresses opposing political views, it brings up legal, moral and ethical questions.

Government officials, especially law authorities in their official capacity, must stay out of this kind of political banter, and let citizens express their veiws freely and openly without fear of police questioning. Otherwise our hard fought and cherished freedoms are endangered, and the deputy chief should know that.

Voting was not limited to one person or one computer per vote and there's no way to know if those that participated are registered voters in Oconee County. For this reason, results are not scientific.

http://downsforsheriff.com/2011/10/28/qualifications-sheriff/

I see the poll was not limited to Oconee County voters or even to one vote per one computer. I find this highly suspicious and juvenile.

Also, I don't understand how Cpl. Downs is qualified to be sheriff when he's not qualified by his department to be sergeant. He's asking us to forget 20 years of experience in personnel management, or budget management, or running the jail, in which Cpl. Downs has exactly zero experience.

Sheriff Berry has brought us through 20 years of Oconee County growth, through building a model jail, and arresting lawbreakers. During that time, what has Downs done for Oconee? Wanting to be sheriff is not a qualification. He has no record of accomplishment that will compare with that of Sheriff Berry. This is a common sense decision that Oconee County voters will make next November.

test

OK, now that I have my browser fixed, I can respond.

I read your blog, and don't see a single thing that qualifies you for sheriff. You were associated in a ranking position with Jefferson PD, which as you said had problems. Instead of trying to correct these problems, you left. If things were to get rough in Oconee, would you just leave once again?

Sheriff Berry took over a troubled S.O. and did something about it...he brought it to a pinnacle of achievement. You have never, I assume, had to manage a budget exceeding a million dollars a year, and yet you call for unneeded and unwanted positions (like SROs) without a clue as to what these positions would weigh against the manpower realities of 2011-12.

I'm not saying you're a bad person, I'm saying you're sadly lacking in reality.

Mr. Langston, what were your qualifcations when you were appointed chief deputy and while I am asking what were Scott Berry's qualifcations when he was elected sheriff? Also had Scott Berry ever managed a million dollar budget before being elected?

About 20 years of law enforcemnt experince, plus a MFA degree, a year of jail experince, and a Captain in the US Army. Leadership positions.

None of the comments that I have made in this thread have been made while on duty.

I thought that asking someone for a clarification of their position actually encouraged discussion instead of stifling it.

Mr. Langston, Your service to our country is admirable and I am in no way taking away from that, but let's break down your qualifications. You had 20 years of law enforcement experience? What experience was that? Conversely, Trey Downs has had 13 years of progressive law enforcement experience as outlined in his qualification letter, can you match that? Also, my question was; what was Sheriff Berry's experience PRIOR to being elected not since his first election (1993). Did he have any experience with a budget of more than $1,000,000 PRIOR to being elected in 1993? What was his previous supervisory/management experience? What was his experience period? These are the questions that need to be answered. I know this may not be a fair question to you, but you seem to know a lot about his experience.

Chief Weems, are you off on Thursdays? Some of your comments were around 10:30A.M on Thursday, October 20th!

As for the experience argument, let’s all remember that experience does not always equal quality work and honor! Just think of Washington and all of our "Experienced" guys and gals who are running our country, how’s that "experience" working out for you? To claim that a sole person is responsible for the success of one agency is totally asinine in my opinion, and in this case it seems to be what supporters of Berry are saying first- I think readers should recognize that mentality is EXACTLY what Trey Downs means when he says he would be a sheriff "With" and "For" you. Not one who sits behind the curtain as the Wizard of OZ asserting they are the "only" ones qualified to run the show- I find it disturbing that "budget" management is the flagship argument of the current administration to re-elect Berry- what else?

I also find it humorous that crime rates are being argued and boasted as being "lower" because of Berry- wake up people! we are talking about one of the MOST affluent counties in the united states of America- OF COURSE CRIME RATES WILL BE LOWER!! it is statistically proven that affluent areas have lower problematic crime rates than that of urban areas. Which leads me to this: Trey Downs has worked in urban areas where crime rates are notably higher, therefore I would venture to say that if numbers were pulled, (5) years in Snellville would be like working (20) years in Oconee! (So there, just maybe the "Experience" is not too far off! (-:

What's important is NOT how much experience Scott Berry had 20 years ago, it's how much he has now.

Mr. Fugett, I don't think you're from Oconee County, and I wonder what dog you have in this fight? I would appreciate any comments/criticism from voters of Oconee County, but tend to dismiss suggestions from people outside our county.

i would appreciate you clarifying your position, which of course you are free to do. Anytime.

Mr. Langston,
One last thing: Your very own face book page states that you live in Athens- so one might ask where is your little doggie in this fight also???
<http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1290428247&sk=photos>;
Here is a tip though; the only reason I bring that up is because you posed such a silly contention over where I'm "from". I can assure you, I'm not "from" Oconee but have just as much vested interest in that county as the next person!

My Facebook page may say Athens, but my address, as everyone in Oconee County knows, is Watkinsville.

I can't think of a single constructive thing you've said in your entire argument. You may have as much vested interest in Oconee as "the next person" but not as much interest as a resident of this county.

You need to calm down and allow residents of this county to present the criticism/input/praise. You apparently do not know of what you speak, which is pretty plain from your statements. In legal terms, you have no standing in this campaign. You're not going to vote for ANY candidate in Oconee unless you move down here.

I suspect you have no positive arguments for your candidate because you lack positive arguments for your candidate. What can you possible say to convince others to dump 20 years of experience as Sheriff for an unknown factor?

Lack of "Standing" is a legal term that means you have no dog in this fight.

You've outlined perfectly why people in other counties are not allowed to vote in county elections. Because residents here know how well they're served by Oconee County S.O. I wonder what part of Georgia you're from.

Don't understand what facial hair has to do with law enforcement. Oh, I see...YOU think it's unprofessional. Not crime stats, not the fact that we don't have any unsolved murders in Oconee, not that we have a low rate of all crimes.

Your motives are as shallow as your thinking.

Mr. Langston, my research tells me that Debra Ashe was murdered on Price Mill Rd on August 24, 1970 and her murderer was never captured. Please stick to the facts with your comments!! And one other fact, EVERYONE in Oconee does not know where you live!

OK, one in 41 years. I think Sheriff Berry was 10 years old when that happened. I wonder how many unsolved murders Snellville has. What does your research show on that?

Everyone with a phone book in Oconee who wants to know, knows where I live. Where do YOU live?

What was Berry's credentials prior to being elected? Also, does having a 20 year career in law enforcement with no supervisory experience and a degree in fine arts qualify you to be chief deputy?

Scott was worked at some PD near Atlanta, worked for UGA PD, and was an investigator for the Clarke Co. DA's office. He has been re-elected with commanding majorities each time he ran opposed and will be this time as well.

Twenty years of experience, being a Captain in the Army for six years, a Ranger, and a Viet Nam combat veteran spoke to my leadership qualifications, and HELPED qualify me for being a Chief Deputy. Being an efficient Chief Deputy ensured my longivity in that job.

Scott only won by 490 votes to Billy Ricketts; not hardly commanding!! Wow, those were Scott's only positions? He was a dispatcher in metro Atlanta; not a police officer, worked for the UGA PD and an investigator with the DA's office; that falls way short of DOWNS' QUALIFICATIONS! Sounds like you and Berry got on the job training!!

Twenty years of on the job training as sheriff. How many years training does Cpl. Downs have?

Enough that he has my vote and has you worried!!

LOL!!!!

Very well stated Mrs. Hardigree!! LOL!

Amused, not worried. Anyway, while you prattle on, I'm watching Sunday afternoon football.

You make me laugh. If he is as qualified as Sheriff Berry 20 years ago, then Sheriff Berry is 20 years ahead of him in experince. He's the president of the GA Sheriff's Association, and represents all the Sheriffs of Georgia before the State government. And you want to replace this with a corporal for no given reason? Give me a break.

Mr. Langston, were you Chief Deputy in 2007 when the Paris Hilton parody video was made in the jail?

Of course he knew his brother had a drug problem. He said this on his facebook page. His brother was fired from UPS for a meth problem.

You're missing the big issue here, his brother's possession of kiddie porn. Read his blog on facebook regarding this henious crime. His brother lived in Hall County, and there is no reason why Scott would know his brother was either collecting child porn or growing marijuana (a fact Hall Co. LEO didn't know until they executed the search warrant). Sheriff Berry addressed these issues on Facebook.

You can choose your friends but not your family. His brother was a fugitive, Scott turned him in and brought him to justice. What more do you expect?

Not many folks know about Oconee Patch, as it's relatively new. By the way, I don't see any supporters of Downs who actually live in Oconee County. All I see is a bunch of guys from other counties like you who can't vote in Oconee and don't realize what a good thing we have here in Oconee. Outsiders trying to influence an Oconee County election.

if not residing in Oconee means you can't contribute to this conversation, then Chief Weems should be silent, which he should do anyway for reasons that already have been pretty clearly pointed out. I take great umbrage when any regular citizen who wishes to voice their thoughts, would be attacked by chief deputies past and present, for doing so.

That is pretty crazy when you think about it. Having the police come after you for exercising your free speech.

Mr. Fugett, do you wonder where Mr. Langston is getting his information about where you live? I would not have known from your first few comments. By the way, I am getting 100% positive feedback in favor of Trey Downs and many negative remarks toward Scott Berry!!

I've never discussed where ANY of you live outside this forum. If Lee knows, and I'm sure he remembers you, he hasn't informed me of your county of residence. What gave you away as a non-county resident is your ignorance of the workings of the county.

Wow. Nothing say "ignorance" like failing to recall the ONLY unsolved murder in the county, Chief

It's "nothing SAYS 'ignorance'". You're taking someone else's word that the murder occurred. A 40 year old murder, unsolved, is likely to remain unsolved. Of course I don't remember it, I was in the Army when it allegedly happened.

I think maybe you watch too much TV.

By the way, I don't believe Chief Weems has done anything wrong and I support him. I also believe that he would make an awesome Chief Deputy for Sheriff Downs, or being the Sheriff himself, for that matter.

It's "latrine" and not latreen. I was a Cpt. of Infantry, and proud of it. What did you do in the service?

Speaking about not getting a response to a question; I have one left open that Chief Weems has never answered!!

I have not chosen a candidate as of yet, but I know it will not be Scott Berry. It is time he is replaced with someone with new ideas and someone willing to get out and know the community. Over the years as a citizen of this county, I have seen from personal experience and heard enough from reputable sources to know that Sheriff Berry does not have my family or my well being on his list of priorities.

I do not know the legalities of the things Sheriff Berry did concerning his brother and am confused. Could someone tell me how it was legal for him to go get his brother in Alabama? Why did he get special treatment to be able to turn in his brother himself?

To the people who are not supporting Scott Berry; I sincerely hope that you will support Trey Downs! He is a wonderful person who will work for us!! Scott Berry has made too many mistakes and it is time for his supporters to face the music!!!

Just a friendly note to all as discussion continues -- Please refrain from name-calling. Here are our terms of service: http://oconee.patch.com/terms. Thanks for sharing your opinions!

TREY DOWNS, 2012

If you guys had any idea of how childish you sound, you'd be ashamed. Downs doesn't have a chance for being elected, he's wasting his money (which is of course his right) but will be a sadder and wiser person come next July, or whenever the primaries are.

As far as the personal attacks on me, and on Shawn, go ahead. Neither of us are running for sheriff, and negative attention to us is pointless. Albeit fun.

Sir, I would disagree that attention to you about your negligence and ignorance of the Ashe murder case being pertinent here. Namely, because it speaks of the leadership at OCSO- past and present under the current administration. Therefore, I would assert that attention to your actions- or in this case apparent inaction while you served as Berry's second in command is certainly not pointless. As for the election, I guess we will see when the egg hatches! Call it childish or whatever you want, its merely astonishment over the apparent lackadaisical view of this victim and ignorance of the case. I'm certainly not ashamed to ask the tough questions and I will call it as I see it, I welcome any explanations as to why its OK to forget about a murder victim as second in command?. And again, of course we expect those closest to Berry to support him and not admit any shortcomings. There are certainly no hard feelings- its only a spirited debate and nobody here is faulting you for having an opinion, only disagreeing with it.

Mr. Langston, I respectfully disagree with you about wasting money. Do you think an incumbent can't be unseated? Well, you just watch and we will show you how it's done with a lot less money than your boy has! Don't forget to find out for sure when the primary is because your boy is going to need all the help he can get!!

He'll sure get help from me and votes from most Oconee County residents. You can count on it.

No one so far has explained how Trey Downs would be a better sheriff than Sheriff Berry. He is without ideas or a firm base in law enforcement. His idea to put a SRO in schools is foolish...he's applying Snellville's problems to Oconee non-problems. Here's a news flash...there is NOT grant money for those programs, although there were some funds a few years ago.

I think Cpl. Downs needs to stay in Snellville, where crime is rampant. Maybe he can clean up that mess down there, then he would have a resume to run for sheriff here.

Hey Langston: its called a hyperlink and you can find it on Trey Downs election page!
Here is one way he would be a better sheriff:

Proactive Enforcement:

As your sheriff, I will commit all of our resources to reducing property crime in Oconee County. I have found this to be the major concern of many of our residents and I pledge to do everything possible to address this critical issue. We will definitely form a crime suppression unit made up of existing personnel and focus a tactical response to all property crime. Immediately, citizens will see increased patrols where these crimes are occurring, open lines of dialogue with the affected community and analyze and predict where these crimes are about to occur in order to most effectively utilize our resources. We will also mobilize citizens to assist in observing and reporting suspicious activities to serve as a force multiplier providing even greater coverage. Our deputies promise to do everything possible to apprehend and aggressively prosecute the people responsible for these crimes. Because of the effect of drug use and abuse on all crime, we will assign a full-time drug investigator to fully prosecute those offenses. All these efforts will reduce crime.
~Trey Downs

And another:

Drugs:

Prescription drug addiction is on the rise. Our young people are targeted and fall prey to these substances as well as the better known illegal narcotics readily available today. Peer pressure, experimentation, rebellion and the desire to get along seriously make our children subject to drug use and abuse. As parents, we have to look at whether we turn to alcohol or a pill at times of stress and recognize the message we are sending our children. Do we keep these substances readily accessible in our homes easily within reach of our children? More people are becoming addicted, but more importantly dying because of legal and illegal substance abuse. As a community, we must participate in prescription substance round-ups, prevent illicit “pain clinics or pill mills” from getting a foot hold in our county and find ways to get treatment for addictions. Drug use and abuse is responsible for 70% of the crimes committed which deserves our attention.
~Trey Downs

and another:

Advancing our Community:

The only way to improve the quality of life and livability of our community is to form strong partnerships, establish community values, establish community wide zero tolerance initiatives in order to prevent crime, and reduce the number of crimes committed by successfully identifying and prosecuting those who commit crimes. Co-active partnerships between neighborhoods and deputies, assigned as community liaisons to enhance and open additional lines of communications, share information as well as provide input and feedback to keep our neighbors and property safe. I will establish voluntary advisory boards to help me and our deputies determine community needs, identify criminal behaviors and focus our limited resources to enable us to be more effective and efficient as we protect and serve all of Oconee County.
~Trey Downs

You, who don't even live in Oconee, are qualified to speak to the issues in Oconee County schools? I doubt you've ever been in an Oconee County school. I don't know what it is with you, it's not like you're an admirer of Downs, it's that you're against Scott Berry. Did you get busted by him for something?

Smart people will recognize your ascerbic remarks as someone who holds a grudge. You needn't tell us about it, we can use our imaginations.

Some other ways future Sheriff Trey Downs will help the citizens of O.C.

http://downsforsheriff.com/2011/10/03/letter-to-citizens-of-oconee-county/

Yes, but these are empty comments. They're just talk, words, bloviating and mean nothing. Swap 20 years of service for a corporal who isn't qualified to be a sergeant?

Who would do such a thing? Why don't you extoll the merits of YOUR candidate (a candidate in a county where you don't vote) instead of these petty stabs at an ex-employee?

I don't care why you have a grudge against Sheriff Berry, and I'll take your word that you've never been arrested, but I've met plenty like you who have some imagined beef, who felt wronged or put-upon for no logical reason.

In a way, I feel sorry for you and Ms. Hardigree. You're filled with hatred and animosity, likely for an unjustified reason. Your bitterness will make you unhappy in the end, and doubly unhappy when your candidate goes down in defeat.

Empty comments? LOL are you on any type of medications? dementia setting in?? You are obviously hung up on "20 years of service.....and the Corporal thing.

I have perfectly extolled the merits of the future Sheriff of Oconee in the posts above. I think you have me and Mrs. Hardigree confused, were actually quite happy and joyful people who just happen to have a disdain for ignorance and good old boy bias in politics. You can save your pity and your contentions- you will need your energy to help Berry clean out his office after election!

I would expect nothing but guile out of your mouth anyway because of being called out on the Ashe murder comment you made....again. YOU FORGOT/or NEVER knew about an UNSOLVED murder case! (One of only TWO in a small jurisdiction) and then you say "well only one, and it happened 40 years ago" as if that made you and Berry immune of responsibility. Sir, that mentality will make ANYONE who reads this nauseous! For the sake of Jesus, YOU ABOVE ANYONE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THOSE FACTS!! Seriously, I don't even know why I'm still talking to you. You have WELL proven my points about good old boy politics and people living in a vapor. I;m done with you because you are a waste of my hand muscles because you have already made your miniscule points and FAILED to offer any true rebuttal to my concerns or anyone elses!

Thanks for your presumptuous heart-felt contributions and warning of our pending doom!!!! LOL!

Mr. Langston, for the record; I am a happy person and I don't hate anyone but I do hate what has happened under their 20 year watch! You are trying to save an ex boss, the chief deputy is trying to save his job and Shawn is trying to save his relative's job but unlike you three, I have nothing to gain or lose; I am not working for Trey Downs and I will not be employed by him after he becomes Sheriff. I am confident that he has the skills and qualifications to make a great Sheriff. I have been talking to people constantly for weeks now; most of whom I don't even know and I am hearing everything positive for Trey Downs and everything negative toward Scott Berry.

Yes, I had you figured for a hater of something, disguised as "what has happend under their 20 year watch." Hatred is hatred. I don't believe you when you say you're hearing everything negative about Scott Berry. Unless you've restricted your circle of friends to Fugett and the family of Trey Downs. You should check Scott Berry's Facebook page if you want to hear the truth.

I think you're an extremely unhappy person, and your posts are a testimony to this fact. Any reasonable person can see you're bitter. Whatever the source for your bitterness against our sheriff, you should just clear the slate and admit it. Fugett may have his own secrets to hide in regards to why he feels it necessary to interject himself in an election that does not concern him, but I don't think you do.

Everything Downs promises to do, Scott Berry has already done years ago. Or rejected as unworkable and impractical.

For your own sake, I hope you will forgo your bitterness and resentment, and whatever resentment you feel, I hope you will reconcile it. Then perhaps you will truly become a happy person.

Mr. Langston, the one time I didn't check for errors, I made a blunder! I should have stated under the sheriff's 20 year watch!! You were hung up on where we were from and now you are hung up on happy and hatred. I am happy now and I will be even happier on election day when Trey Downs is announced the winner. Shawn, I guess I just haven't run across the people that speak highly of the sheriff but I still have a lot of territory to cover but I could put my hand on a bible right now and tell you that I haven't heard good things about him so far. I am sure he is an excellent father. Yes, I will see you on election day and the sun will still come up after that day!

The people I have been hearing comments from are not my circle of friends nor Trey Downs' family. I already know where they stand so I am using my energy talking to other folks.

Wow, this thread has certainly motivated me as a new-comer to get out and vote in November! Not that I agree with all of the back and forth banter, but I do have to agree with certain points made here. #1 I could never support a sheriff who endorses and has employed a person in a high ranking position for 13 years and this person was apparently so detached from his agency that he did not know 1 or 2 unsolved murders existed! #2 This thread also makes me wonder who the posters are that support the current sheriff with such spit-fire! It really shows poor taste for anyone to loosely bash the other, but in my humble opinion, valid points and concerns were made by the opposing party which has stirred my curiosity- are these really close family/friends with the current Sheriff- looks kinda fishy to me! #3 I don't think I will trust this current sheriff is "the one" just because of the pleas of the bunch here- sorry but this just looks redneck people!

Only other thing: I would like to interject that when I moved into my subdivision this summer, I had to ask several persons about the Sheriff's dept and what they thought of the service/friendliness etc. It seemed nobody knew about the agency at all. Only a few seemed to know anything or have an opinion either way. I heard about half good, and half bad about the agency. I did hear some rather sordid tales about stuff that sounded too crazy to be true about the current Sheriff, but after this thread I'm now wondering!

"According to this weeks edition of the Oconee Enterprise- Chief Deputy Gene Langston said "No one at the Sheriff's office knew about the content of the video or was present during filming." (Oconee Enterprise, June 21, 2007, Volume 124, Issue #25; Merritt Melancon) My question to Chief Deputy Langston is this: If no personnel were present during filming- then why is there an officer (in uniform) being filmed standing in Hilton's conjugal visit line? And if there were no personnel present during filming, then who was watching in the background? And why would you insinuate that the film crew and various people involved were unsupervised during the filming? Common sense dictates that no one should be left unsupervised in a jail. A lawsuit would be inevitable if that was the case." ....cont'd

......."bviously Chief Deputy Langston- personnel were present during filming, so much so, that they had the opportunity to be caught on camera. In addition, Chief Deputy Langston can perhaps tell us how the film crew, actors, random homeless people, and film extras moved from one part of the jail to the next? When Sheriff Berry himself admitted to the Oconee Enterprise in his weekly column that he had gotten locked into the Hearing Room, which must not be nearly as secure as the cells in which most of the filming took place. Magnetic key cards are only issued to employees, therefore the crew, actors, extras and homeless people must have been led around by Sheriff's office employees. Hmmm... sounds like direct supervision to me!"
.........cont'd

"According to the Athens Banner Herald (Wed. June 20, 2007 by Lee Shearer) Sheriff Berry has said: "The video was shot in a section of the county's new jail that was not yet in use because a security fence had not been completed, he said. "It didn't cost the taxpayers a dime and they didn't get in our way," the sheriff said.
That's funny- the jail cost about $11.5 million in tax payers money... so care to explain your statement a little better Sheriff? The set for their little Hilton spoof cost us $11.5 million- and all the embarrassment in the world now."

http://concernedoconee.blogspot.com/

I just watched the video, this is disgusting and I'm surprised this Sheriff is still in office! What an embarrassment to the people who paid for that jail! I don't know who I will be voting for but I know it wont be for the current so called "Sheriff" what a joke!

Thanks for the info Jeff

Interesting comments on both sides. Lots of filtered hyperbole from some obviously just angry at the current sheriff for some reason. That happens when you are sheriff. Also lots of demeaning of the challenger by current and former sheriff's officials. That is sad, insecure, and immature. Then there are the many others making nice comments, with positive points about the person they support. That's the way it should be.

But with all that said, I still can't get past the poll numbers in this article. When a kid with a positive message and new ideas can come from out of the blue, and beat the 4-term incumbent by just shy of 2 to 1, it is startling. Oh, it's not scientific we have been reminded. Hopefully nobody ever thought it was. But it is an indicator that this likely will not be a cake walk for the current sheriff. There may be more support for the challenger, and dissatisfaction with the status quo, than the very confident former chief deputy would have you believe.

The Poll numbers represent just how many times one person with one computer could vote to influence the poll. As stated, there were no limitations, which I suppose is the reason the poll input was closed.

The only poll that counts happens in July, at the primaries. Then we'll see what we will see.

Indeed we will. That is our political system.

This poll was equally flawed for and against both sides. Thereby the disclaimer warning, and reminder, from the host.

Which only goes to show Berry supporters are more honest than other candidate supporters.

That's disgusting. And juvenile. Maybe a typical Downs supporter?

Gene, I will bring you a crying towel on election day for you to use when you see the results coming in!!

Mrs Hardigree that's hilarious! However, I think he will need more than just a crying towel- I think he will need Prozac and anger management classes for aftercare!

I think somebody has put a sock in Gene Langston's mouth and I think I know who!!

Sure is quite funny there is all the publicity of the Debra Ashe case this week......things that make you go...."Hmmmmmmmmmm" I'm confused, was the case opened, closed? Lost? Over at Gene's house so as to allow him to play catch-up and read the case since he never know about that case while he worked there 13 years?? what gives?

Gene Langston stated earlier in these comments that there were no unsolved murders in Oconee County and now they are trying to backtrack!! The voters of Oconee can see right through this. We are smarter than that!!