In advance of a Tuesday Democratic runoff for sheriff, challenger Gino Brantley on Monday unveiled an ambitious plan for his first 100 days, if he’s elected.
A former sheriff’s deputy, Brantley is a corporal for the Richmond County Marshal’s Office, a county security and codes enforcement agency. He’s challenging three-term Sheriff Richard Roundtree, who almost won outright May 21 with 49% of votes.
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Brantley, 54, said he’ll work to improve the sheriff’s office by conducting a workload-based audit to evaluate existing resources, needs and deficits. A “transition team” will assist with gathering data, forming plans and engaging with the public. He’ll engage with local stakeholders as well as employees, who will be required to submit resumes, training records and career goals, he said.
Augusta’s largest division, the sheriff’s office consists of nearly 600 positions classified as road patrol, jailers, investigators, training and administration. But it’s run short about 100 employees for several years, attributed to COVID-19, working conditions and terminations for conduct.
“If you create an atmosphere where the guys don’t mind coming to work and it’s a great atmosphere to be in and where they can thrive, they will in turn encourage others to come and be a part of what we’re trying to do,” Brantley said.
Asked to respond, Roundtree, 55, said he’d not seen Brantley’s presentation but questioned its timing.
“I find it strange and oddly convenient that in six months of campaigning, we hear about ‘a plan’ the day before the election,” the sheriff said.
Other parts of Brantley’s plan include:
- Restoring police response to all alarm calls
- A gun violence task force with a special focus on youth incidents
- Increasing transparency through the ready release of reports and data
- Frequent meetings with the public
- Collaborating with other agencies
- Advanced incident commands for major downtown events
- Realtime communication via text with business owners
The two candidates continued fundraising after the May 21 primary, with Brantley raising $32,512 during the period and Roundtree raising $35,226. Brantley has raised $132,438 to date in the election and Roundtree $106,213.
In post-primary reports, donors to Brantley included Roberto Zapata and Zapata Electric, which gave a combined $4,300. The Garage on Gordon, Durham Law Firm, C&C Concrete, city grass contractor Pond Maintenance, Carl Rhodes and Kelvin Gordon all gave Brantley $1,000 in the recent reports. Gallop and Associates reportedly gave $2,500 and Infrastructure Systems Management gave $1,500.
Donating $1,000 each to Roundtree included the Police Benevolent Association, 209 Restaurant, Wright One Towing, MSP Better Neighbors LLC, which is owned by Scott Peebles, and Southern States PBA. George Snelling gave Roundtree $1,800.
What do voters need to know?
The sheriff’s office runoff isn’t the only contest on Tuesday’s ballot. In addition to the Democratic primary runoff, voters in Richmond and Burke counties will decide a nonpartisan runoff for superior court judge.
Local attorneys Matt Matson and Charles Lyons are in the runoff for the seat held by the retiring Augusta Circuit Superior Court Judge Danny Craig.
All Richmond County polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and voters must use their assigned polling places on Election Day.
Registered voters can’t switch party primaries between May 21 and Tuesday. If they voted Democrat or nonpartisan May 21, they can vote either Democrat or nonpartisan Tuesday.
If a voter used a Republican ballot May 21, they may only vote nonpartisan, in the runoff for judge, on Tuesday.
