A crowd of about 100 people attended the Republican Party-sponsored sheriff’s debate. (Catoosa News photo/Dennis Norwood)
Candidates Larry Black and Gary Sisk will face each other in a runoff election Tuesday, Aug. 21. The winner is expected to face a write-in candidate in the general election in November, but election observers are predicting that next week's runnoff winner will easily win in November.
Black and Sisk were the two top vote-getters in the July 31 general primary, with 3,808 votes going to Black and 1,956 votes going to Sisk.
On Monday, at an event sponsored by the Catoosa Republican Party, Black and Sisk each indirectly addressed questions about mailer sent out by the Sisk campaign which called into question several of Black's claims to his experience and questioned his departure from two of the jobs he has held in law enforcement.
In the end, neither candidate directly address those issues, with Black's supporters handing out a flyer afterwards in which the candidate addressed the charges one by one.
Two of those charges were:
— Sisk claimed that Black did not have 35 years of law enforcement experience. Black answered in the flyer that he had begun his career in 1976 as a dispatcher. Black said he has worked for several agencies in the north Georgia area. He said that, even while working a seven-days-off, seven-days-on schedule for Roadway in 1988, he continued to work part-time for the Ringgold Police Department on his days off.
— As for why Black did not list his position with Forsyth County, Black answered that the job was only a temporary position: “Working at the Olympic Games in 1996, I had the pleasure of meeting the sheriff-elect of Forsyth County. He offered me a major's position to help with his transition team. I was there for approximately three months and was happy to move back to the place I have always called home: Catoosa County.”
During the debate itself, both men were asked questions by moderator Mark West, founder of the Chattanooga Tea Party. The debate was sponsored by the Catoosa County Republican Party. This was the fourth debate to include the two men.
Black said the debates “have shown a big difference in (the candidates’) experience.”
Black has worked as a dispatcher, captain over the jail and for the past four years has served as commander of the Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force.
Sisk has 22 years of experience, all with the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office. He currently holds the position of chief deputy, second in command to retiring sheriff Phil Summers. His opening statement was, “I have a passion about keeping our community safe.”
Both men were positive of finding ways to save money within the sheriff's $8.5 million budget. Both men also went on record as saying they were not in favor of raising taxes to meet any new expenditures in the office.
Sisk said, “No, I don't see any area where we need to raise the budget. Also, as part of my platform, I think alternative sentencing could help reduce what we spend in jail operations.”
Black responded that he did not think alternative sentencing is the key, saying he was not on the rehabilitation board but on the crime-stoppers board. Sisk rebutted saying, “Unlike my opponent said, rehabilitation is where it is at.”
Unlike the confusion during past debates, both Sisk and Black were adamant that they fully supported the Second Amendment, which is the right by a citizen to bear arms. Both agreed that an armed civilian in the Aurora, Colorado, theater might have saved some of the lives lost.
Black's top priorities, if elected, are: more intense drug enforcement, a reduction in home invasions and burglaries by creating a special operations group, and to efficiently operate the jail and serve warrants.
Sisk's top priority would be getting a Community Oriented Policing (COP) program started to build community relationships, and secondly, in an effort to cut-down on repeat offenders, increase counseling efforts in the jail by bringing in faith-based groups to work with the inmates.
Sisk said, “I do feel it's the sheriff's job to help with rehabilitation.”
Saying that traffic and domestic violence are the top two call-outs for the department, Sisk offered that those and addiction-related crimes are the greatest crime challenges in the county.
Black said drug enforcement is the highest crime challenge facing county officers.
Both candidates believe that educating children and youngsters is the key to success in battling drug use by students.
As for retiring sheriff Phil Summers' endorsement, Sisk said, “I am proud and humbled to receive it and I appreciate it. He did this on his own accord. He feels like I am the most capable person to continue leading the department.
Black retorted that he was disappointed in it, saying, “One man's endorsement should not sway an election. I am looking for one endorsement only — the endorsement of the voter.”
Sisk has had control of the Sheriff’s Department for the past two years. As an outsider looking in I have seen the office have more and more issues with employees leading the wrong path. The employees are held to a higher standard when they take the oath so deal with them when they do wrong and don’t use the buddy system. The office seems to be in disarray due to poor management.
Black has ran a good clean campaign and Sisk has not. Some may say, in earlier posts, that if it has happened that it’s not negative campaigning. Well I have done my research and have found that it is negative campaigning because did not happen. Black could say the Sisk has used the buddy system to promote his friends, kept friends out of jail for DUI, that Sisks’ brother has interest in the Jail with his business but he decided to stick to his platform. Wise choice…..
I want to thank you for your service to our county and the risks, with few rewards, associated with that service. I’m confident that outside of this debate we would have a great deal in common and likely enjoy a friendship. I realize this is an emotional issue for you and that we are invested in two different outcomes.
I am curious. Does Sheriff Summers not have any accountability in your grievance? It seems logical to me to expect that Sheriff Summers should have had the vision and commitment to our community and individuals, such as yourself to intervene and demote Gary, like others have been demoted, if he were a cause of strife and contention within the whole law enforcement community as you posit? With a mass exodus looming, it seems unlikely Sheriff Summers would have endorsed Gary to dismantle what he has spent his career trying to grow and prosper. I would think the Sheriff would endorse the best candidate, or put another way, the lesser of two evils.
Neither one of these men is evil. I reject this line of thinking completely. The sheriff endorsed the guy that will allow him the most influence in the department when he is no longer part of it.And honcho is spot on. Nobody inside the department wants to get caught in the crossfire of these two candidates. They have families, careers,mortgages and a lot of personal sacrifice invested in their jobs.This is just a local mud slingin' sheriffs race. There are a couple of thousand of these across the south every two years.
I think Larry Black has a solid record of accomplishment and exemplary service to Catoosa County. He would be a very worthy choice for sheriff.
As far as demotions, I can't remember the last time someone was demoted. They operate with their blinders on. They have been told over the last several years there is a morale problem but they refuse to even acknowledge this. The sheriff nor Sisk never speak with us and only acknowledge their employees when put into a situation where they have to. When they want to implement an idea, we only get form letters and memos. Neither one actually comes to talk with us and explain what they want accomplished.
The sheriff stated early in the campaigns after both Sisk and Black announced their candidacy, that he was not going to get involved in backing either candidate. Due to the timing of the "endorsement" it seems someone got desperate. One day about 2 weeks ago Sisk was seen coming into the Sheriff's personal office and having a meeting, then a few days later a news release was put out about Sheriff Summers backing Sisk. What was said or promised during that meeting. Then last weekend, we all received letters from Sisk asking in no uncertain terms for our support. These letters were not mailed but hand delivered. Why was he allowed to do this. Maybe another desperate act for support.
We just want a boss that will support us, respect us, back us up, and go to bat for us. This is something that we have not had in a long time.
P.S. read CCRaven's post below, it gives very good examples of what has transpired since Sisk has been in charge.
Larry has moved around more than a few times. He has a resume a mile long.
If you know the truth and it is public information the last 3 positions held by Mr. Black....jail administrator, Chief of Police at Ft O and Drug Task Force Commander were at the request and recommendation of Sheriff Summers.
The sheriff recruited and hired him for the jail administrator. The sheriff was assisting Ft O Police look for a new chief and approached Mr. Black about the position and recommended him for the position the same way he did for the DTF position.
If he wasn't the most qualified leader and person for the positions why would the sheriff recruit him not once but 3 different times for leadership positions that are very important for the community?
As I have said before....lead with respect and the officers in his command will follow.
Sheriff Sisk or Sheriff Black?
Catoosa County residents are faced with the task of electing a new sheriff. To make an educated and informed decision, you must first consider the job description. A Sheriff has a badge and a gun. He uses those tools to maintain order and uphold laws. We as citizens are supposed to submit to the authority of our leaders, and sheriff would certainly qualify as a leader. So, what leadership qualities come to mind when one considers Gary Sisk and Larry Black who I’m sure most would agree, are both good men? Perhaps this will help shed some light upon Catoosa County's choice.
I have found Gary Sisk to be a humble, gracious man that has earned and retained the respect and admiration of both the Catoosa County Sheriff Deputies he has led and the Sheriff under which he has served. He listens with empathy and reacts to injustice with tempered, steadfast, and logical responses. Gary believes in accepting the community’s help and leveraging their collective gifts to try and steer young people away from trouble early, catch them quickly if they get in trouble, and finally have community leaders mentor them going forward to show them there is more to life than crime and jail.
In my opinion, Sisk’s opponent, Larry Black, has fundamental differences of belief that I can’t ignore. Evidence of this is seen in the June 28, 2012 debate which is available on YouTube by following this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32GF4WrbphI. Thirty-six minutes and twenty-nine seconds, (36.29) into the debate the question is asked for the second time concerning concealed and open carry, and everyone except Black basically had the same answer. Black responds at 38.53, and in my opinion utterly fails in his response on many levels. Larry Black said he was “really uncomfortable about citizens openly carrying a firearm and two extra magazines”. Regardless of whether you approve or disapprove of current law, the law should be upheld. Larry Black implied he had to know someone well before he would feel comfortable with them exercising their lawful compliance with the law. The problem with this mindset is that the Second Amendment guaranteed, and the Georgia legislature further validated, open carry by passing a law long ago that gives law abiding citizens the right to openly carry in Georgia and our surrounding states. Furthermore, Larry Black, by potential “lawman fiat”, has shamed every law abiding citizen into concealing the tool that they use to protect their families and others around them. Of all the things in the world to be ashamed of, this simply does not make the list. Finally, I wish to answer the question Black posed in the debate as he scorned current law and sarcastically said… “I do not, nor will I ever understand why someone would want to carry openly”. The simple answer is carrying a gun tucked inside your clothing is both uncomfortable and difficult to retrieve if needed. Being required to conceal the gun also has the appearance of unacceptable behavior which has always been settled in law to be completely acceptable, legal, and intended by the founding fathers of this nation.
Personal opinions matter when we are trying to form policy and laws. However, I’m sure we all could agree that personal opinions are absolutely toxic when we use them to choose whether or not to enforce existing laws. A sheriff should not only enforce law, but should also protect freedom. I have been listening to national news as I have contemplated the qualifications of sheriff. I found myself considering what, perhaps, a sheriff Michael Bloomberg may look like? Bloomberg is the controversial Mayor of New York. I have deep conflict with him over his treatment of freedom and the restraints seen in the proper role of any government. Bloomberg has moved to “correct” social problems by trying to ban what he (in his infinite wisdom) does not deem to be good, right, and acceptable. I have taken note that Bloomberg’s approach never leads to more freedom, it always takes freedom away. The primary example is his crusade against big sodas. He frequently conveys that since many are overweight, he should take away their soda or require them to get smaller portions. When I critically think about what Bloomberg does it becomes obvious he thinks more highly of himself and his ideas than everyone else’s. I submit these are absolutely the wrong qualities for a sheriff.
In viewing the debate listed above and in dialogue with Black’s coworkers, it is my opinion that Larry Black exhibits character traits of someone who is narcissistic or self-serving. He has stepped out of the main stream of all his opponents and declared his way is the only reasonable approach. This reminds me of another law enforcement officer Attorney General Eric Holder. Examine our current Justice Department as they pick and choose what laws they will enforce based upon what they are “comfortable with”. When someone thinks too highly of themself, he or she will try to demonstrate their authority. Unfortunately, when you are the top dog, (the sheriff), there is no one to reprimand you or demote you until the next Election Day.
We need a Sheriff that is comfortable in his own skin and has no need to impress people or exert his authority to share his ideas are better than ours in every situation, question, or response
I humbly ask Catoosa County Residents to support Gary Sisk as the next Sheriff of Catoosa County. We need him and he needs you now through August 21 as this is the day we select our new Sheriff.
And as far as the 2nd Amendment issue, ask any law enforcement officer today and they will tell you they too feel uncomfortable with "open carry". It creates more problems than it solves. Nobody said anything about taking your guns away, he just believes concealment is better. If I were to "rob" a store, guess who I am taking out first, the person with the gun showing!
In closing you need to check your "facts" before you state in no uncertain terms the men and women of the Sheriff's Department support Sisk. I would call that a false statement.
Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. It seems you feel that Gary has in some way treated you unfairly and for that I express my empathy for your situation. However, I am the kind of person that will pull into a Kangaroo behind a deputy getting his “Roo Cup” filled and ask him who he or she supports for sheriff. I will also seek to understand their reservations about the other candidate during the visit. Based solely upon your numbers, I have hit all 5 of the 200 employees that support Gary Sisk and some have serious reservations about working for Larry Black. In fact, I feel inspired to go buy a lottery ticket in light of this revelation.
One of my main points was that I sincerely believe if you were to go to Gary Sisk and express to him that you had an issue with one of his decisions, or if you expressed that he had hurt you in some way, I believe Gary would respond with empathy and try diligently to restore the relationship. I have been told that Larry, on the other hand, really values his own opinion so much that reconciliation may be much more difficult. When you merge that level of hubris with the authority of an elected official there is no recourse except recalls or general elections. There are no supervisors to step in and demote, admonish, or correct this type of behavior. I would submit four years of that seems like an eternity, just like we have been watching on the national scene with Obama.
In response to the 2nd Amendment, I respectfully must disagree. The debate I referenced was done by law enforcement officers who all support open carry except for Larry Black. That makes Larry DIFFERENT. I have a relative who is in law enforcement and he is not threatened by law abiding citizens who openly carry. I work in conjunction with various law enforcement officials on a volunteer basis and I have had many candid discussions with them. I find them to be much more open minded than you and Larry on this issue.
I respectfully submit to you the correct response to a robber in a store is to require all to safety their weapons and place them on the ground, ask the witnesses who the robber is, and arrest the robber. There is a requirement and an understanding that Americans are innocent until proven guilty… right? The problem with open carry is created the media and fostered by ambiguity on the part of some law enforcement officers such as Black, or mayors like Michael Bloomberg, not a man or woman pushing a cart in a store with children in tow and a gun in their visible holster.
Uh, Phil Summers ? The guy has been a five term incumbent. As we have so recently seen, it's really hard to run an incumbent out of office. Usually, there are several challengers that split the "anti incumbent" vote and even a jackleg can stay in office way past their "best by" date.
I guess that my question is what has Gary Sisk ever done? Is there some signal accomplishment that he can point to and say that he was the one that took the initiative to make it happen? Has he been a real policy maker at the Sheriff's office or just warming a chair waiting to move up the ladder? For my part, I haven't seen any definitive answer to that question in this campaign from Sisk. His message seems to be that he's been there the longest, so he deserves the job. That's just asking for trouble.
As for Larry Black, he has moved around a few times because he's ambitious and has a lot of energy and drive. It takes some courage to leave a pretty secure job and try to better ones self and the community at large.
Very well said. Too many here are talking like this is a big city full of strangers that need to be put under the jail when they get into trouble the first time. Thats all Sisk wants, to help peoples first offence be their last.
This county is still a community of family and friends. We care about one another and hurt for those that make bad decisions.
You hit the nail on the head with Eric Holder. I guess you've seen the NYTimes is reporting he won't be bringing criminal charges against Jon Corzine or any other executives at MF Global and the missing over one -B- billion in customer money, thats simply gone. This was the democrat governor of NY where he was hated and now hes thinking of starting a hedge fund. Funny how rich liberals are protected and rich conservatives are attacked.
I believe being on the drug task force for so long has hardened Larry Black and I don't believe we need anyone like that as our sheriff.
As far as the people attacking Sisk, I might listen if it weren't for the fact they're doing EXACTLY what they accuse Sisk of.
If Black wins, I fear for my community.
No all of a sudden when one candidate is way behind and having to quiet frankly act as if he is desparate and will stop at nothing to get elected the mudslinging starts.
I observed that Mr. Black seems to have experience in most every job in police work as well as being an instructor while Mr. Sisk has no experience as a detective or investigating drugs. His experience seems to be only in administration where Mr. Black seems to have administration and practical experience.
The debate on Judy ONeal's show last night made me wonder. Mr. Sisk stated that during the summer and right now there is a unit composed of 2 detectives and 3 deputies doing work to prevent burglaries/home invasions. I asked a friend of mine and learned the unit has no detective participation at all and is compiled of school resource officers and have spent some time doing this type of work but more time serving warrants in other counties and writting speeding tickets on the interstate.
Mr. Sisk stated that the sheriff's office participates and interacts with other agencies in the area to share information to educate and prevent crime. The same friend and another friend from a Tennessee agency told me Catoosa County refused to participate in the interagency, interstate gang intelligent operations that currently involves Walker County Sheriff's Department and other Georgia agencies and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department and Chattanooga Police Department. Catoosa County has also refused to participate in several multijurisdictional inoperative situations.
Say what you want, the truth is known by those who do the job. LEAD BY EXAMPLE.....RESPECT YOUR SUBORDINATES AND THEY WILL RESPECT YOU.
I have seen another side to Mr. Black that is not on display at this time, to the public. It didn't have anything to do with criminal activity. The side I saw was a man with a superiority complex and NOT someone I want to see as the top lawman of this county. It made me NOT trust this man AT ALL!
As far as "mudslinging" on Sisk part, he didn't state anything that you couldn't find for yourself if you looked.
Sisk will definintely be the candidate this family votes for.
I could write here how I've done drugs with Larry Black....that wouldn't make it the truth.
Something you and the people that came out against Tonya Craft should remember-
Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Mr Black seems to be willing to say or do anything to win. He now supports a persons right to carry a gun and use it in a theater? Right! He is splattered all over the paper saying only police should have that right.
Did I miss something, when did Catoosa have a home invasion robbery? THATS one of his top priorities?
Mr Black should know from past elections we don't want him as our sheriff! I can't say I want Sisk either, but our options are Sisk and Black, so I'll vote Sisk.
Do I think either man will make Catoosa safer? No! I haven't felt safe in several years now and don't see that changing. Sure I feel safe to go anywhere in the county, its my home that isn't safe. While the deputies spend their time sitting in store parking lots or flirting with the ladies behind the counter home burglaries have become common place. We don't even want to get into how the roads look more like a race track than public roads. The deputies should always be patrolling, not lazing around convenience stores ignoring calls.
I know one important thing about Larry Black. He lets people do their jobs and holds them accountable. He's professional. The first time he sees a deputy flirting or goofing off, that deputy will be in a new line of work. The first time that a CCSO officer is rude, arrogant or treats the public with disrespect will be that officers last time. He has a high, professional standard of conduct and he will enforce it. The officers that I know at the sheriffs office know this and they respect it.
I do feel safe in my house.But part of that is personal responsibility. I lock the doors,secure the cars and have the exterior lit up at night.I have a firearm that I maintain and am trained (and practiced) to use it. The police are not like the cops in TV shows. They can't be everywhere at once.They have a hard job and do the best they can with limited resources.
And Larry Black really has very little to say about my right to keep that firearm. That right is in the constitution and he can't take it away. he knows this and the people opposed to him know this, so this is a non issue.
by the book like Barney.
I'll pick Andy every time, thats why I'll vote Sisk.
Most of the arrests here are of our family, friends and neighbors. I would like to see them treated with compassion.
Yeap, Andy, every time.
If you want to see how he will use the power of this office, just look at what he's willing to do to get it. If he wins, just hope that you or your family never cross the guy or stand up to any abuse of power.