Candidates answer variety of questions in White Oak Sheriff’s Town Hall

From left are town hall organizer Kathy Freed, candidate Joe Thomas, moderator Ken Berry, candidate Kamden Lang, candidate Brian Hooper, and town hall organizer Steven Black. TINA RAMSEY Houston County Sheriff’s candidates Joe Thomas, Kamden Lang and Brian Hooper with emcee Ken Berry (second from left). TINA RAMSEY The White Oak Community Center in Houston County sponsored a Houston County non-partisan Sheriff’s Town Hall held on May 11, at the old armory building. The three candidates running for the sheriff position in Houston County – Brian Hooper, Kamden Lang, and Joe Thomas – were present. The event drew approximately 150-200 people. Stephen Black and Kathy Freed from the White Oak Community Center were the organizers of the event.  Dr. Ken Berry from Benton County moderated the event. “I do not live here, and I do not have a dog in the fight, so this will be fair,” Berry said The forum started off with a five-minute opening statement/introduction from each of the three candidates. Hooper spoke of his work at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and his fast promotion to the rank of lieutenant (3 years). He also thanked his family for standing by him. Lang also spoke of his background in law enforcement in San Bernadino, Calif. He said he has experience on the SWAT team and more, and he has been intimately involved in Houston County since moving here, especially with the Rotary when he could not get a job as a reserve deputy with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). He also thanked his family. Thomas spoke of his achievements in the MCSO enhancing retention and keeping schools secure. He said he believes a safe and secure border is important, and he will work with ICE. He also believes in license plate readers (LPRs) and technology in policing. He briefly discussed how he would set up the HCSO to ensure a two-person coverage of deputies at all times in the county. Berry started off the questioning after the introductions by asking a question of his own. His question was: “If you are elected to become the sheriff and the FBI comes into your office and says there is an urgent emergency, and they need to suspend the constitutional rules and they need your help collecting all guns in the county, what would you do or say to the FBI?” The audience appreciated that question, and it brought a smile to the candidates’ faces. Hooper said he would tell his men to, “Get your guns, and let’s go. They are not coming into the county.” Lang said to “Bring a SWAT team to my house, because I am not giving up my guns. I will protect and defend the second amendment.” Thomas said, “You will not take my guns.” Questioning began in earnest next. First up were several questions from the moderator-organizers of the townhall. They ranged from subjects covering leadership, officer misconduct, patrol coverage, drug activity, staffing and retention, the culture of the sheriff’s office and using technology. All questions were pertinent to every-day subject matter that county sheriffs would encounter in their day-to-day operations. The next set of questions came from the candidates themselves. These questions included, “Is there anything in your background that may affect your ability to be a sheriff?” to “Should political affiliation matter in a sheriff’s race?” and “What role does physical readiness and fitness play in a law enforcement office?” The last set of questions came from the audience who submitted questions. Index cards were available for the audience members to write down questions for the three candidates. The moderators chose the questions that would be asked. These questions included asking about how the candidates would respond to domestic violence calls (some of the most dangerous calls for law enforcement officers) to whether or not they would work with ICE. The very last question was a good question. Berry said, “Politicians are known for being verbose (using more words than necessary), so to prevent that please use one word to describe why you are the best choice for the sheriff’s office.” Hooper said “experience,” Lang said “professionalism,” and Thomas said “listen.” In closing, the candidates had two minutes to make a statement. Hooper thanked his family again and said the campaign has been difficult, and it has harmed friendships. It has created anxiety and sadness. He is asking for the people’s vote to serve. Lang also thanked his family again and agreed the campaign has been difficult. He told the audience, “If you want a new fresh face and approach then you want me.” Thomas finished off the forum by thanking his wife and also said friendships have been lost and destroyed. He told the audience to vote for the candidate who they trust to improve the office and to make changes. “Vote character and value.” The entire townhall can be accessed on Facebook by searching for the White Oak Community Center group. It was recorded and uploaded to YouTube and to Facebook for all to see in order to make that all important ‘informed vote’ in the Aug. 6 County Election.