Sheriff Race In Richmond County – Austin’s Daily Commentary

Austin: Gino Rock Brantley is showing up and he is bringing detailed plans and receipts with him in the race to become the next sheriff of Richmond County. The surprise runoff contender against the incumbent, Richard Roundtree, is really making noise around law enforcement types.

I got to tell you that there's some real interesting buzz concerning the possibility that he is going to take over the area's largest law enforcement team. Richard Roundtree is kind of spinning his wheels a little bit. He's becoming more attentive and responsive to concerns. Well, it's about time he's about to get kicked out of office if he's not careful.

But the bottom line is it is still an uphill battle for Gino Rock. And most folks know that. So yesterday's announcement, talking about reorganizing road patrol and taking jail maintenance more serious is a very, real move. And again, it's getting a lot of positive traction in the law enforcement community.

Other departments are buzzing about the possibility of Richmond County rebuilding under a new leader. And that's got a lot of, career of law enforcement types very excited. Some very interesting positions could be opening up. And a Gino Brantley administration and some old horses should be moved out to pasture permanently when Roundtree goes, if in fact he is defeated as well.

By the way, had some conversation with Sheriff Clay Whittle in Columbia County yesterday. He maintains a five person maintenance staff for his jail facility. Richard Roundtree has zero on site maintenance staff for the Richmond County Jail. He depends on central services to come in and make repairs. It's almost like having an in-house, repair and maintenance team in your home permanently versus having to pick up the phone and calling the electrician, the plumber or the painter anytime anything breaks or needs to be done. It's a smart move.

And again, showing why the Columbia County lock up is vastly superior when it comes to maintenance and upkeep. In the Richmond County Jail, which is far bigger and busier. Why in the world Roundtree wouldn't pick up on that? I don't know, years ago, I don't know, but clearly Columbia County does it better.

Well, Columbia County does a lot of things better. Gino Rock continues to roll, no doubt. And that's the comment. I'm Austin Rhodes 95.1 FM Newstalk WGAC.