Wilcox County hosting public forum for sheriff candidates ahead of special election
With a special election only two weeks away, Wilcox County voters can hear from candidates in the running for sheriff during a public forum happening Tuesday night.
ROCHELLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – With a special election only two weeks away, Wilcox County voters can hear from candidates in the running for sheriff during a public forum happening Tuesday night.
Candidates will discuss how they plan to address some of the county’s biggest issues ahead of the election in November.
The election comes after the death of Sheriff Robert Rodgers, who died in a car crash in August of this year.
Wilcox County Chamber of Commerce member Basha Slater says the election is important because not having a designated sheriff is detrimental to public safety in the county.
“Not having a sheriff, that means we can’t put in for grants, we can’t put in for equipment, we can’t hire personnel because everything’s in limbo,” Slater explained.
One candidate, Lloyd Bloodworth, served as a deputy in Wilcox County during the 80s before working for the Georgia Farm Bureau for 20 years.
He explained that drug offenses and personnel shortages are some of the biggest problems in the county. He says whoever is elected must be able to work with residents and county officials.
Bloodworth says he is one of the most qualified candidates because of the connections he’s made with the residents of Wilcox County.
“I know a lot of the people, and I feel that that’s part of being the sheriff is knowing the people, because everybody’s different,” Bloodworth said.
Lee Ramirez is also running.
With 18 consecutive years of law enforcement experience as a peace officer and public safety instructor, he hopes to combat drugs in the county by addressing staffing shortages.
“We gotta try and work this out so we can bring people into the county who want to work here, because as of right now, we just don’t have the help, and we’re going to have to do some recruiting and get staffed,” Ramirez said.
Bruce Carmichael, Chief Deputy with the Wilcox County Sheriff’s Office, has 14 years of law enforcement experience
Carmichael says his experience and love for his community make him a qualified candidate.
“I’ve run a department before being a police chief in Abbeville,” he said. “I know the budget. I know how to create a budget,” Carmichael said. “I know how to work with the citizens and the county commissioners to save the taxpayers’ money.”
Jeff Wessel currently works as a special agent in charge of the Georgia Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit.
With nearly 30 years of management and law enforcement experience, Wessel hopes to improve the Wilcox County Sheriff’s Office by setting short and long-term goals.
“The biggest thing is making an assessment of where we stand with the sheriff’s office and then addressing those immediate needs, and then also setting up strategic plans,” he said.
The forum will happen at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the Newt Hudson Ag Center. That’s located at 630 E County Farm Road in Rochelle.
Early voting is currently underway in Wilcox County, and in-person voting will take place on Tuesday, November 7.
