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Andrews, Carnes square off for sheriff
By Chris McCaa Staff Writer
With only a few days to go before Election Day, candidates for Rabun County sheriff are making their final efforts to sway undecided voters.
Republican candidate Frank Andrews is facing off against Democrat Mike Carnes, a 22-year veteran of the sheriff's office.
Andrews, who served as police chief for Baldwin and Cornelia police departments, said his experience in law enforcement offices in other counties would bring "a fresh perspective to Rabun County law enforcement."
Carnes, who currently serves as chief deputy and Rabun County 911 and EMS supervisor, said his experience and understanding of the inner workings and duties of the office would allow him to hit the ground running.
"I'm ready to go to work," Carnes said. "I don't need to be trained in what needs to be done (in the department)."
The victorious candidate will likely face the challenge of operating a department on a tight budget due to a likely reduction in tax revenue from a sagging economy.
Andrews and Carnes plan to reduce wasteful spending in the office by limiting take-home vehicles and reducing the number of deputies responding to nonemergency calls.
Andrews said he also would explore the possibility of replacing worn out department vehicles with rentals from a government lease program.
Despite a limited budget, Andrews would like to install cameras in department vehicles. He said the technology would protect deputies and could be used as a training tool.
Carnes said he would increase the department's visibility in the county by beefing up patrols in the east and west portions of the county.
Both candidates identified illegal drugs as being one of the most pressing issues facing the county.
Currently, Rabun is a member of the Northeast Georgia Drug Task Force, along with Habersham County.
"I'd pull out of the drug task force and have my own drug agent dedicated solely to Rabun County," Carnes said. "The upside is money from seizures will stay in the Rabun County instead of the task force."
Andrews said he would like for the department to stay in the task force. He said Habersham was possibly pulling out of the coalition, which would force Rabun to fend for itself in the war on drugs.
"Where are you going to go to get the money for your own drug agents?" Andrews asked.
Andrews addressed concerns that he would make drastic personnel changes in the department.
"There have been rumors I am going to go in there and fire everybody," Andrews said. "I believe everyone deserves a chance to perform their duties." Andrews said he would evaluate each officer and would also consider hiring employees from law enforcement agencies outside county lines.
Carnes said he was willing to make personnel changes if necessary, but adding more employees would be unlikely due to the department's budget constraints.
Andrews and Carnes said they would work to increase pay by distributing the salaries of retired officers to the starting pay rates for deputies.
On the issue of state accreditation, the candidates expressed slightly different viewpoints.
The certification program, administered by the Georgia Police Accreditation Coalition Inc., is designed to establish and enforce procedural policies of law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
"We can't afford not to have it," Andrews said. "You can achieve it in within the budget you currently have.
Carnes said the program was an unnecessary expense during these challenging economic times.
"If the taxpayers can afford it, I'm all for state accreditation," he said. "But based on the way the economy is going, (the department) will be faced with budget cuts."
Andrews and Carnes both support providing services like funeral escorts, keeping an open door to the public and running a department in a professional and trustworthy manner.
Republican candidate Frank Andrews is facing off against Democrat Mike Carnes, a 22-year veteran of the sheriff's office.
Andrews, who served as police chief for Baldwin and Cornelia police departments, said his experience in law enforcement offices in other counties would bring "a fresh perspective to Rabun County law enforcement."
Carnes, who currently serves as chief deputy and Rabun County 911 and EMS supervisor, said his experience and understanding of the inner workings and duties of the office would allow him to hit the ground running.
"I'm ready to go to work," Carnes said. "I don't need to be trained in what needs to be done (in the department)."
The victorious candidate will likely face the challenge of operating a department on a tight budget due to a likely reduction in tax revenue from a sagging economy.
Andrews and Carnes plan to reduce wasteful spending in the office by limiting take-home vehicles and reducing the number of deputies responding to nonemergency calls.
Andrews said he also would explore the possibility of replacing worn out department vehicles with rentals from a government lease program.
Despite a limited budget, Andrews would like to install cameras in department vehicles. He said the technology would protect deputies and could be used as a training tool.
Carnes said he would increase the department's visibility in the county by beefing up patrols in the east and west portions of the county.
Both candidates identified illegal drugs as being one of the most pressing issues facing the county.
Currently, Rabun is a member of the Northeast Georgia Drug Task Force, along with Habersham County.
"I'd pull out of the drug task force and have my own drug agent dedicated solely to Rabun County," Carnes said. "The upside is money from seizures will stay in the Rabun County instead of the task force."
Andrews said he would like for the department to stay in the task force. He said Habersham was possibly pulling out of the coalition, which would force Rabun to fend for itself in the war on drugs.
"Where are you going to go to get the money for your own drug agents?" Andrews asked.
Andrews addressed concerns that he would make drastic personnel changes in the department.
"There have been rumors I am going to go in there and fire everybody," Andrews said. "I believe everyone deserves a chance to perform their duties." Andrews said he would evaluate each officer and would also consider hiring employees from law enforcement agencies outside county lines.
Carnes said he was willing to make personnel changes if necessary, but adding more employees would be unlikely due to the department's budget constraints.
Andrews and Carnes said they would work to increase pay by distributing the salaries of retired officers to the starting pay rates for deputies.
On the issue of state accreditation, the candidates expressed slightly different viewpoints.
The certification program, administered by the Georgia Police Accreditation Coalition Inc., is designed to establish and enforce procedural policies of law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
"We can't afford not to have it," Andrews said. "You can achieve it in within the budget you currently have.
Carnes said the program was an unnecessary expense during these challenging economic times.
"If the taxpayers can afford it, I'm all for state accreditation," he said. "But based on the way the economy is going, (the department) will be faced with budget cuts."
Andrews and Carnes both support providing services like funeral escorts, keeping an open door to the public and running a department in a professional and trustworthy manner.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of theclaytontribune.com.
KB wrote on Oct 31, 2008 7:16 AM:
" I believe Andrews is the better choice. What Rabun needs is fresh new faces, not the same old good ole boy crap! Plus, Carnes is a Democrat. Oh no. "
LEE wrote on Oct 31, 2008 2:37 PM:
" Andrews has an outstanding reputation for integrity and professionalism in the cities where he served as police chief. Rabun County would be fortunate to have a person of his character - and especially his vision for the department - serving as sheriff. "
Good ole Boy wrote on Oct 31, 2008 3:59 PM:
" So Dawn, you like the broken "good ole boy" system the way it is? Please explain. Thanks. "
Mary wrote on Nov 1, 2008 9:27 PM:
" Frank Andrews has a wonderful reputation and is for the people all the time. He can and will do the best job. He can be trusted.
He has one of the nicest families and they all think he's the best! "
He has one of the nicest families and they all think he's the best! "
Georgia Plowboy wrote on Nov 2, 2008 12:32 AM:
" Funny that Carnes "didn't need nobody from the state coming in and running his department" with accreditation but now has changed his mind and will use the crutch of the bad economy not to do it. Also, the former Gilmer County Sheriff ran a funeral home while he was sheriff and it equated to lack of dedication in serving the people. I wonder how the 911 Director and EMS Supervisor would have time to be sheriff also. Is it legal to hold two or three public safety office positions at the same time? So, will we have more of the same old same old or are we going to change it? "
Dawn wrote on Nov 2, 2008 6:59 AM:
" I sure hope that Mike Carnes gets the job. Sure don't need another Republican in office. That's why the poor people like me can't make a good living because of the rich people, He will make the better man for the job. Come on, Democrat. "
Keith W. Nehls wrote on Nov 2, 2008 5:00 PM:
" I dont know what all the hoopla is all about. Mike Carnes will win in a landslide and hopefully Frank Andrews will get the hint and "retire" from running for this office again. "
Dawn wrote on Nov 2, 2008 5:28 PM:
" Well I was just sitting here thinking about the new sheriff ... all people want to do is put down the law for doing their jobs but when they need help for the law it's a different story. Mike carnes has a outstanding reputation for integrity and professionalism; just take a look at what all he does for this county. At least Mr. Carnes didn't run for sheriff two times in a row. "
Dawn wrote on Nov 3, 2008 10:45 AM:
" I would like to know what all the talk is about that this county needs so much change. It just needs the right people to run it and not a bunch of Republicans. We all want change but when it changes then people don't want it. Come on, Mike Carnes, lets win this thing for the Democrat people. "
bob wrote on Nov 3, 2008 2:34 PM:
" Democrat or Republican, Mike Carnes is the man for the job. He has made changes in the past only to have them overturned by his boss. People forget that Mike also has a boss. People move to Rabun County and want to run for an elected office. Why do we vote for these people? Do they know what's better for our county than the people that have been here for generations? Maybe all the natives should pack up and start another town and let the move in's have it. I wonder how long it would take them to follow? My point is everybody wants to live in Rabun County so we are doing something right. If the people of Rabun want so much change, maybe we should move to Hall or Fulton county and see how much we really want a big change. I would also like to ask why people think Frank Andrews is the man for the job? Why has he not held a steady job in one department. It could be that he was not effective or made false promises or that he bankrupted the cities. Carnes has dedicated his whole life to public safety and has the experience to back it up. "
Kayla R. Hunter wrote on Nov 3, 2008 7:58 PM:
" The more things change the more they stay the same. Mike Carnes is the man for the job. He has shown that he can handle many responsbilities and do a good job at all of them. He is a very professional and respectable man. I believe that Mike would be fair and treat everyone the same. As for Andrews, I can't say the same. You can't expect to come into this county and say oh we are going to change this and we are going to change that ... we need to see proof. Personally, I don't want to see that big of a change. I have lived here my whole life and I think there are things that need to be changed but that is just my opinion. Just telling the people that you are going to make a change is not going to get votes; now days we need to see proof. I vote Mike Carnes all the way! GO MIKE! "
rabuncountian wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:56 AM:
" If Mike Carnes does win the sheriff race that will be his one and only position. He will not be over the ems and 911 even though I am sure he could manage all three just fine. It is true he plans to make changes. He has tried in the past but his hands were and are tied because he isn't in charge, the current sheriff is and won't let him make changes the way he sees fit. I am sure Mr. Andrews is a nice person but if he is so great why isn't he in all those other counties that he was so wonderful in? Why isn't he the sheriff somewhere else? He has made promises to get rid of everyone that is employed at the sheriff department now when he gets in there and now he has changed his promise and it's written in the paper that he will evaluate and that some will keep their jobs. This has angered some people that early voted and they are sorry they voted for him but it's too late. Has anyone figured out how much it will cost to get rid of everyone and hire all those Habersham people? And if they think they are gonna make a big amount of money as deputies in Rabun County then they might wanna think about it some more. Good luck, Mr. Carnes ... and good luck to Sandy, Will and Neal. All of you are Rabun County people who were born here and chose to stay and make your homes and spent your money and paid your taxes here. We are proud of you win or lose. "
rabuncountian wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:22 PM:
" Andrews won so we gotta work with him and make the best of it. Mike Carnes would have made a great sheriff but that doesn't matter now. He has been good to the people of Rabun County as the chief deputy. One thing about it, to all you people who voted against Carnes because you have children and family members who are scum and break the laws, they will still be scum and lawbreakers no matter who the sheriff is ... and what are you gonna do about it when Andrews and his posse throw them in the slammer? "
mary wrote on Nov 5, 2008 12:43 PM:
" Congratulations, Frank Andrews! Knew you could win. The county will be proud too, just wait and see. "
bob wrote on Nov 5, 2008 3:44 PM:
" I hope the people of Rabun got the change they wanted. We will see how it goes when the locals recieve tickets and long prison sentences because the majority voted Frank in office. When it happens, don't run and ask for help because it's part of the great change all the Frank supporters asked for. "
concernedcitizen wrote on Nov 6, 2008 1:46 AM:
" Congratulations Rabun County, you have not elected a sheriff that has dedicated 26 years of his life to the public safety of everyone living here. You have not elected a sheriff that has been at one department for 22 years. You have not elected a sheriff that has worked one day in real law enforcement in Rabun County. You have not elected a sheriff that has experienced working in the jail, working on patrol, working in the courts, serving civil process, preparing budgets with the commissioners. You have not elected a sheriff that has worked on hot humid summer days, long cold nights, in the snow, in the rain and not even for a thank you, but because he loves serving the people of his county, Rabun County. Rabun County should be proud. Thanks, Mike Carnes, you deserved better. "
Kayla wrote on Nov 6, 2008 8:50 AM:
" I'm not going to congradulate Frank. I don't think that he should have won. Mike is not only a better person, but he is devoted to making a better life for others! As rabuncountian said, if you don't break laws then you don't have to worry about who sheriff is, but it would have been good for someone that lived here and knew the people to have gotten it. All I have to say is as long as Frank is fair then we have nothing to worry about but when he starts doing wrong everyone that voted for him is going to see how bad they messed up. I'm very upset with the results but I'm still proud of you Mike. "
mountainlady wrote on Nov 6, 2008 10:40 PM:
" I supported Mike Carnes as I always did Don Page. I am and will continue to be their friend and I have been loyal to them throughout the years. I think Frank Andrews would respect me for that if he and I were to sit and talk about it. With all that behind us and Frank will be our new sheriff starting in 2009, now I will support him as the sheriff. That doesn't mean I am not friends with Page and Carnes. From what I understand, Page and Carnes and the rest of the sheriff's office are already working with Frank to make the transition in 2009 as smooth as can be. We have some really great officers currently at the sheriff's department and I understand Frank is going to evaluate them and see where they can be placed and isn't just going to clean house as some put it. The key to sucess is for us in the county to all work together for the good of our county. Good luck, Frank. To Don and Mike and to all of the current and future officers at the Rabun County Sheriff's Department, everything will work out if everyone will stop all the rumors and support your new sheriff. "
Dawn wrote on Oct 30, 2008 3:25 PM: