THOMASVILLE —
The modern-day sheriff is far from the badge-wearing, gun-slinging individual conjured in the minds of movie moguls during Tinsel Town’s early days.
He — or she — administers budgets in the millions of dollars and is responsible for the operation of jails and for courthouse security.
Incumbent Thomas County Sheriff R. Carlton Powell and challenger Dale Matilla agree administration is a big part of a sheriff’s job.
The two candidates are among those seeking local offices who will speak at the Tuesday, Oct. 23, Times-Enterprise citizens meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Thomas County School System administrative offices auditorium.
“We believe safety is the first law of nature,” Powell said. “Safety is a primary goal of nature.”
The sheriff oversees a 2012 budget of $2.8 million.
Powell said the sheriff’s office is operated as economically as possible, adding that he thinks citizens want the best in public safety, medical care and fire protection.
Sheriff’s deputies are at a scene immediately and the only agency “rolling” countywide at all hours, Powell explained.
The sheriff, he explained, is the only elected law enforcement job in the United States.
Georgia law says a sheriff’s main responsibilities are to serve papers of the court, maintain order in courts and operate a jail.
Powell sad 90 percent of his job is administrative, pointing out that that he oversees the drug squad, detectives, the jail and patrol functions.
“You have heads of all those different areas,” Powell said. “The sheriff has tremendous administrative responsibility.”
“ ... You’re a leader as the sheriff,” Matilla said.
The challenger said that if elected, he has no plans to change office personnel drastically. Anyone who does not like his style management, “They may leave later,” Matilla said.
See Sunday's edition for more details.
Local News
October 13, 2012
Modern-day sheriff
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