Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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NOVEMBER 23 - 29, 2016 UCW 7 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM OPINION Just when you think we're done with local elections and the political intrigue that comes with it, there's yet more brewing on the horizon. This will come to a head on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 at around 9 a.m. It's when the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners are supposed to vote on who will take over the vacated role of Sheriff Earl "Moose" Butler. Sheriff Butler is due to retire on Dec. 31. And, according to state law, the Board of Commissioners is duty-bound to appoint a sheriff for the remainder of his unexpired term. Pundits predicted Butler would abdicate the High Sheriff's throne before his term ended when he ran for re-election in 2014. The strategy behind the move was that the six-term incumbent Butler would have an easier time defeating challengers. He could then pick his successor for the remaining term. During a campaign debate on the campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College, moderator and Fayetteville Observer's Editorial Page Editor Tim White specifically asked Butler if he planned to step down if reelected. Butler replied he would finish his full term if his health allowed him to do so. His statement to the media regarding his retirement never mentioned health. Between Butler's retirement on Dec. 31 and the first meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 9, 2017, Chief Deputy Ennis Wright will lead the Sheriff 's Office. Butler appointed Wright as his chief deputy in 2013. He is the first African- American to attain the highest-ranking deputy position in the sheriff's office. By all accounts, Wright is extremely capable. He retired from the military and spent time in the Spring Lake Police Department. He joined the sheriff's office in 1997 as a road deputy and worked up through the ranks to become second-in-command. I asked the County Commissioners if they will consider other candidates or if they will rubber stamp Sheriff Butler's choice. Board Chairman Faircloth demurred to the county attorney for his legal recommendation. The county attorney so far has not responded to my email. The process is spelled out in Chapter 162-5 of the N.C. General Statutes. It says county commissioners appoint a new sheriff at the first meeting after the vacancy occurs. Straight-shooting Jimmy Keefe said he would consider anyone qualified for the position. Larry Lancaster acknowledged there would be a lot of interest in the job, but said he would probably vote for Butler's recommendation. He later added, "Regardless of the person chosen, the voters will have the final say in two years." Vice Chair Glenn Adams said he would speak with anyone interested in the position. Several 2014 sheriff's candidates contacted said they were still interested in becoming sheriff. After all, they spent money, time and considerable effort to tell their story to voters on where they stand on the law enforcement issues and the direction they would take the Sheriff's Office. They also have law enforcement experience that rivals that of Chief Deputy Wright. Democratic challenger Terry Isaacs, for example, served in a leadership and supervisory capacity in the state Highway Patrol before working as a ranking officer in the Sheriff's Office. Democratic challenger Charles "Chuck" Kimble is a former assistant chief of the Fayetteville Police Department. He now heads the Fayetteville State University Public Safety and Police Department. On the Republican side is a senior Fayetteville Police Officer, Victor Starling. Finally, there's the well-known Charlie Baxley, a former Fayetteville Police Officer and Sheriff's deputy. Baxley remains active in the community, still campaigning vigorously for a 2018 shot at being Cumberland County's sheriff. But some of the former candidates also said that while interested, they see this as a political move by the current Sheriff's Office administration. They believe the selection has already been decided. Asked if he would apply, one former candidate responded that it would be a waste of time. Perhaps it would serve the public well if the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners conducted interviews of all qualified applicants between now and January 9th. Otherwise, it will look like the fix is in. A New Sheriff in Town by JASON BRADY Sheriff Earl "Moose" Butler JASON BRADY. Columnist. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910.484.6200. Mon - Fri 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Catering, Reunions, Weddings, Fundraising. For more information call (910) 483-6009 or visit www.heritagesquarefay.org for a list of homes. $15 Donations Historical Properties in Period Decorations Five Gorgeous Fayetteville Homes Decorated for e Holidays Refreshments Served at the Sandford House