No Fix In Regardless Of WDHN Assertion

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 10137

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Jul 19 2014 6:10 PM

HOUSTON COUNTY:     A recent article by WDHN TV Ken Curtis eludes to the fact “the fix is in” for Houston County Sheriff candidate.

The article “GOP Sources:  Carlise to be selected sheriff”.

From my investigation, Ken Curtis article is off base. The fix does not appear to be in.

When Houston County Sheriff Andy Hughes resigned, he had not contacted the Chairman of the Houston County Republican Executive Committee. The Chairman is John Gormley.  And I know that for a fact.

Some members of the committee, key members of the Republican Executive Committee had no idea until Sheriff Hughes made the announcement.

According to Gormley, the Houston County Republican Executive Committee has 65 members. It is not clear how many will appear on July 28 for the interviews and selection, but for the “fix” to be in, that would mean the majority of the 65 would have to be in on the game. And I have found no evidence of that.

For the record…

I do not agree that only the majority of 65 people make the decision of Sheriff for the next four years.

I did not like the fact that qualifying was over when Sheriff Hughes resigned.

However, a huge job offer came available for Sheriff Hughes. And it came when it came…

And like or dislike, qualifying is over. Only one person qualified and that was Sheriff Hughes. The people appeared satisfied with Hughes leadership and that way that Sheriff Department was headed. They gave him a third term with no opposition.

Hughes could not control when he was made the job offer. So we are stuck with the consequences.

I wish qualifying and a vote of the people. But from all research, it is up to the majority of the Republican Executive Committee.

And the resumes are coming

From all of the names I hear, three stand strong. Those three are:

1. 
   

   Houston County Sheriff Chief Deputy Donald Valenza

   
   


2. 
   

   Houston County Sheriff Captain Jeff Carlisle

   
   


3. 
   

   Dothan Police Captain Bubba Ott

   
   

Other names are circulating, but of all names I have hear the three above, in my opinion, will be the front runners.

All bring qualities, advantages and positives to the Sheriff’s Department.

At the close of business on July 24, we will know who all are applicants for the Sheriff position to the Houston County Republican Executive Committee. Sometime on July 28, we will know who the Sheriff will be in January 2015.

However, unless Governor Bentley selects someone prior to July 24 or 28, we will not know who the Sheriff will be from August 18 through January 2015. That decision rests solely on Robert Bentley.

He can wait, agree or do as he pleases. He can even bring someone from anywhere to be the Sheriff from August through January. Unlikely, but he can.

We are glad Bob Riley is not Governor. He hated Houston County and the wiregrass so bad, he would appoint some jerk just to despite us.

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