(Since September 1, 2007, marked the anniversary of Sheriff Tim Gobble's first year in office, what better time for him to sit down for an interview and share his thoughts about what his year has been like? And what better person for him to sit down with than Bradley County's premier interviewer, J. Michael Leonard? The resulting conversation proved informative, salient and amusing. Read and enjoy ...)

JML: Well, let's just get right to it, shall we? Looking back over this past year, what accomplishments are you most proud of?
TG: Well, number one, we've streamlined operations, creating five distinct divisions along the lines of functional responsibility. That makes good sense from a management standpoint and is designed to save taxpayers money while meeting our statutory obligations. I know I've talked a lot about this, but it is a highlight of my first year, shifting that top-heavy management from the office to the field. This accomplished a number of things, including increasing our patrol, solving more crime, reducing the backlog of warrants and a lot of other things. There's still much more to do, but we've taken definite steps in the right directions.

JML: By redistributing those top heavy management salaries, you were able to increase the starting pay for deputies by, what? $2,000?
TG: Two thousand over where it was when I took office.

JML: You renegotiated the food contract at the jail.
TG: Renegotiated with ABL, the food contractor. We feel this year we will likely see a savings of somewhere in the neighborhood of $40,000.

JML: Forty grand? Really? That's significant.
TG: That's not bad. Again, that's a savings to the taxpayer. Now, that's an estimated amount, we don't have the exact figures, but that's about what we're looking at in savings.

JML: You're outsourcing medical, too, right?
TG: We're bidding out our medical contract. Previously it was outsourced but (former) Sheriff Dan Gilley and Terry McGuire thought they could bring it in-house and save money. But after doing that for several years, the medical costs have skyrocketed and we feel like outsourcing will save us money. We've tried it both ways now and we're going back to outsourcing. Also, I think that will take some of the liability off the county. It won't absolve us of all liability, but it will be beneficial to the county to have a medical company running the day-to-day operations instead of county employees doing that.

JML: You've upgraded BCSO technology and equipment.
TG: We've been able to get new bullet-resistant vests for all our deputies. When I came into office I found many of the vests were out of date, some as much as ten years. Some were threadbare, some had the seams and stitching coming out. We were able to upgrade that and now have all the deputies in Level III vests, which provides a much greater level of ballistic protection. We were also able to get some additional tasers, some less lethal options for our patrol unit. We're still phasing that in, we're not where we need to be yet ...

JML: You've been saying the BCSO budget wasn't adequate to meet your needs. How can you make all these upgrades if your funding is inadequate?
TG: Well, we've been able to do most of what I've just mentioned with the existing budget. In order to get the new vests last year, the county commission was only required to come up with $4,000. We utilized our existing equipment budget to make that purchase. I felt like that was so important, we needed it done right away. When we send a deputy out to protect others, we have an obligation to properly protect them, too, to the extent that we can. It's a dangerous job and you're never going to eliminate all the danger, but we have a responsibility to protect the deputies while they're out there protecting our community's freedoms. Just like when we send our troops overseas to fight in Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world, the American people demand they have the best equipment possible to protect them and help them in every way to get the job done and return home safely. We shouldn't expect that the ones who protect us here in our own community should have any less.

JML: You've also mentioned trying to get the salaries for the drug task force out of the drug fund and have them put on the county payroll. You're not talking about the 10^th judicial drug unit?
TG: No, that's a different operation. The 10^th judicial drug unit has jurisdiction in the entire district, which includes Bradley, Polk, Meigs and Monroe counties. The BCSO drug unit has jurisdiction in the entire county. The Cleveland Police Dept. also has a drug unit which operates in the city. While we all work together in some instances, we operate independently.

Right now the BCSO drug unit is paid from the drug fund. I'd like to see that stopped for several reasons. It takes about a half-million dollars a year to operate our drug unit. That includes salaries and benefits for the detectives, the administrative staff and others associated with the drug fund; plus operational equipment, vehicles, maintenance, the actual location of the operation which, for obvious reasons, isn't commonly known, and all the things necessary to operate the drug unit. It comes out to about $450,000 to $500,000 a year, on average.

Instead of taking that money out of the drug fund to pay the recurring salary and operating costs, it would be better to include it in our regular sheriff's budget the way most other departments are structured. We're one of the very few agencies or offices that I'm aware of that actually pays salaries out of their drug fund. Seizures are up or down in any given year and it's not money you can count on. You might get a one or two million dollar seizure, but you might not get one for years, and you might never get one. You might get a thousand here, four thousand there, depending. If we were able to move those salaries out into our regular sheriff's budget, then we could free up money in the drug fund to utilize for necessary equipment.

JML: There are restrictions on what drug money can be used for, right?
TG: That's right. The laws are very strict as to what drug money can be used for. But vehicles qualify, cameras for patrol cars qualify. So when that money is there we can meet those needs. I think it would actually save the county money in the long run and really help us modernize.

JML: That's one area where the county commission and even the county mayor seems to be short-sighted. Fixing a problem now saves money on the other end. By paying a competitive wage, for example, you save in turnover and retraining costs.
TG: Just the manpower that's tied up in recruiting and interviewing and testing, the costs associated with that ~ the training or retraining, the academy costs, keeping deputies up to speed with other mandatory training, uniform expenses ~ all of that adds up. It takes three to five years to develop a really good employee in law enforcement. That includes developing the skills to deal with people and situations, learning the equipment and technology. We want to keep them here. We don't want to see that experience walk out the door before we're getting a maximum return on our investment. Because it is an investment. And like any investment it takes time for it to mature. If we're continually losing people like we are, and can demonstrate that we are, we become a training ground for other agencies.

We could compete in terms of salary and benefits and incentives, longevity pay, those type of things, but we're not. We're not competing. We've got to correct that problem, we've got to get in the ballpark. This is a problem former Sheriff Gilley was dealing with back in '93, '94. There was a base pay gap of about $3,000 between the BCSO and Cleveland Police Dept. I've gone back and retrieved newspaper articles from those days where they were talking about this and pleading with the county commission to begin addressing it. Now that pay gap with the City is about $6,000. Over a 10-year period this gap has doubled and we're not making any progress. In fact, we've not made any progress with this year's budget. The gap continues to widen.

JML: Now that's interesting, 10 years. Maybe it's a coincidence, but that means the pay gap has basically doubled since County Mayor D. Gary Davis has been in office. He's been in right at nine years.
TG: Well, you can look at it that way, yeah.

JML: I mean, the commissioners have changed over the years, most of them. The only constant during that time is Mayor Davis. But he's been saying the sheriff's budget has doubled over that same period of time. Or tripled, depending on who he's talking to.
TG: Well, he said doubled in one case, he said tripled in another. The fact is, the overall budget was behind then, it's behind now.

JML: But when you look at that time period we're talking about and relate it to the sheriff's budget, you have to factor in a new $16 million dollar justice center.
TG: What they did several years ago was, they built a new justice center. They went from a 100-bed facility to a 408-bed facility ...

JML: Four times the size.
TG: Four times the size.

JML: Yet your budget has only doubled. Or tripled, depending on who Mayor Davis is talking to.
TG: Well, you've got to make sure you're not playing with words and playing with numbers and you do an actual comparison. But when you go from a 100-bed facility to a 408-bed facility, and consider the people and equipment needed to operate it, of course your budget is going to increase. Keep in mind that, too, our facility is about full now. Yesterday we had 408 inmates. So that's right at capacity, but it fluctuates some up and down ...

JML: You also have to consider how much Bradley County has grown over the last 10 years.
TG: Yes, you do. Bradley County has experienced tremendous growth. In 2005, we had 72,000 calls for service that can be documented through the 911 Center. In 2006, we had over 82,000 calls for service. That's a 10,000 call increase. At this point in this year, we are already pushing the 80,000 call mark ...

JML: And you still have three, four months left in 2007.
TG: I figure this year we will probably exceed 100,000 calls for service. Our community is growing and we've got to keep pace with that. And then nationally, not just in Bradley County, but nationally, we're starting to see an increase in crime rates. We're going to have to address those things and what the needs are. Back in the early '90s, we had the influx of officers on the streets to help push that crime rate down. But now as the population continues to grow, we're falling behind with our manpower needs. So it's something we've got to address and we can't continue to ignore the problem. That's why I keep saying I want to work with the county commission to address the problem and not continue to stick our head in the sand.

JML: I think that's one thing we're hearing from the community. Especially at the Town Hall meetings you've been holding. People see that you're not playing the good ol' boy game, so to speak, and you're not afraid to take on the powers-that-be on behalf of the deputies and the citizens of Bradley County ~ even at considerable risk to your own political career.
TG: Well, the very reason governments were created to begin with was to protect and secure the citizens. If government fails to do that, government fails. Period. Under state law, the sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer in the county. That's very clear and that's what I'm charged with. There are over 100 enumerated statutory duties that sheriffs must fulfill. If we don't, we can be subject to ouster. We are directly accountable to the people. It's an office, not a department ~ an elected, Constitutional office accountable to the people, created to ensure the safety of the citizens and protect their day-to-day security ...

JML: Even from the county commission? Even if they refuse to fund the sheriff's office to the extent that it jeopardizes the public safety?
TG: Sheriffs then have an obligation to follow what the law requires. And in this case, I have exercised that obligation and have petitioned the court for intervention in this particular budget on behalf of the citizens of Bradley County.

JML: Actually, Trustee Mike Smith just gave a pretty healthy financial report on the status of the county. According to him, we're doing well with investments and savings and various fund balances and sounded like there's plenty of money to finance the needs of the BCSO without any hardship at all, let alone a tax increase.
TG: Well, let me quote what he said in his August 20^th, 2007, press release. He said (reading from press release), "We have moved Bradley County from being at the bottom of area counties and municipalities in investing revenue, to a county well above the regional average in both investments and checking accounts."

And that's why I continue to say that Bradley County, in many ways, is a wealthy county. We are above the regional average in both investments and checking accounts ~ $25 million in investments, CDs, and over $35 million in various checking accounts. But we remain significantly below the regional average in terms of paying our deputies to go out on the street and risk their lives in service to this community. And we're below the regional average in terms of having the number of officers out on the street to reduce response times and investigate and deter crime. These are the things I've been trying very hard to address and get the commission to come to the table and work with me on.

JML: I think one commissioner even said that, as far as pay rates go, the duties and importance of a BCSO deputy is no more than the duties and importance of any other county employee.
TG: Well, that's certainly not true in terms of risk to life and limb. What I'm concerned about is, as this pay gap continues to widen and we're not making any efforts to reduce it ~ as you can see, there's documented evidence ...

JML: The pay gap's doubled in the last 10 years.
TG: It's doubled in the last 10 years. The BCSO got a three percent raise this year, Cleveland City got six percent. The gap even continues to widen in this budget year. And I can't get the commission or the mayor to take the necessity of closing that gap seriously. They refuse to acknowledge how important this is to the safety and well being of the community. As this gap continues to widen, we will lose more and more of the best qualified deputies, and decrease our ability to attract and retain qualified deputies .

JML: Maybe you can hire some illegal immigrants.
TG: Well, according to a recent Chattanooga Times article, an immigration attorney stated that the average salary of an illegal immigrant in this area is about $31,000 a year, I think is what he said, without looking at the article. But that means an illegal immigrant would have to take a pay cut to come work at the Bradley County Sheriff's Office. Now, what's right about that? There's nothing right about it.

JML: You have pretty strict hiring standards at the BCSO. You turn applicants away if they have DUIs in their background. Some of them have felony convictions, you turn them away. Capt. Gabe Thomas (in the Corrections Division) recently made the point that the jail would be a flashpoint of corruption for any employee predisposed to graft ...
TG: We have a strenuous hiring process in that we do thorough background investigations. We will not hire any law enforcement personnel with a criminal record. We do polygraph examinations on all employees regarding drug use and other violations of the law, things of that nature. A lot of that I've carried over from my days with the Secret Service ~ I don't want to hire problems, I want to hire solutions. I'm committed to that. But when we're only able to start somebody at $26,000 a year, and the City of Cleveland is starting theirs at $32,000 a year, and Dalton and Chattanooga and all the other regional averages are $33,000 a year, it makes it very difficult. I feel that with the importance of the work here in Bradley County, our citizens deserve the best. And we've got to be competitive. Am I saying we have to be the absolute highest paid? No. I've never said that. But we do need to be in the ballpark.

JML: What you asked for in this year's budget would have done that?
TG: It would have brought us to within 10 percent of what the City of Cleveland is paying their officers. Now, is that going to alleviate all problems? No. But it's going to be a good step in the right direction in attracting and retaining more of these quality employees. And when we do get somebody through this strenuous hiring process, and they're only with us a couple of years and they go somewhere else, the citizens of Bradley County lose.

JML: Okay, but that begs the question ~ considering that strenuous hiring process and the high moral caliber of employees you have at the BCSO, how do you account for the fact that I'm working here now?
TG: (laughing) Well, what you're talking about there are two different positions. Not to diminish your role or your importance at all, you're a civilian employee. You're not in a law enforcement role, you're not required to be post certified, you're not in a gun-carrying role ...

JML: And all of Bradley County breathed a collective sigh of relief.
TG: (laughing) Well, where we can, we utilize civilian positions where you don't have to go through the polygraph examinations. You do go through a background check and drug testing to determine good moral character ...

JML: Which brings us back to the question ~ how do you account for the fact that I'm working here now?
TG: (laughing) Well, obviously, you're of good, decent moral character.

JML: Thank you, sir. I've been trying to make that point for many years. And now that we've established my credentials, I have a fine, low mileage Gremlin I'd like to sell you.
TG: (laughing) Low mileage, you say?

JML: But you do run a tight ship. You don't even let former pot smokers slip through the screening process.
TG: Before anybody can effectively enforce the law, they must first obey the law. I will not hire anybody who has a criminal record of any sort that has not been expunged or handled through the courts appropriately. Sometimes we'll run across someone who has been falsely accused or something like that where the court has ordered an expungement ~ which means, legally, the charge never existed so it cannot be held against them. But that would be the only exception. With regard to drug use, I understand that often in high school, a person may make errors in judgment because of peer pressure and things like that and they might try some marijuana in a youthful, experimentation type situation. We will look at those on a case-by-case basis. But anything that would be beyond marijuana in a youthful, experimentation type situation, just a puff or two on a marijuana cigarette at a party subject to peer pressure ~ anything beyond that, you would be excluded from being a law enforcement officer with the Bradley County Sheriff's Office under Tim Gobble's administration.

JML: Let me go back to your accomplishments for a minute. In a nutshell, in 25 words or less, if you had just five seconds to answer ~ what is your one greatest accomplishment during your first year?
TG: Well, I think I've helped increase morale in the Sheriff's Office. I feel like by putting more patrols on the street we've been more effective in combating crime, protecting citizens and adding more backup and safety for deputies who are out there. I guess in some ways, that may be my greatest accomplishment ~ streamlining operations and being more effective in service to others. There are a lot of different accomplishments ...

JML: Okay, your five seconds are up ...
TG: I was just going to say, there are a lot of different accomplishments, but if it comes down to just one thing, I think it would be putting more deputies out on the street and the potential for reducing crime that goes along with that.

JML: Well, and in addition to more deputies being on the street, it seems the citizens of Bradley County have a pro-active, hands-on sheriff out on the street as well.
TG: One of my commitments during the campaign was to move my office out of the back recesses of the justice center to a more central location up front where I could be more aware of and involved in the day-to-day operations of the sheriff's office. Not only does that apply to here at the justice center complex but also out in the community. And I do get out there. I show up on scenes and I assist deputies whenever I can, I may back them up on various calls, and I spend time ~ both during the day and at night ~ out and about in the community. And I think it's important for a sheriff to be involved like that in order to have a good understanding of what our deputies deal with, and what tools they need in order to be effective and successful in terms of support from administration and support from a community. One of my jobs is to do all I can to get them those tools. And that includes a compensation package that is fair and will motivate them to stay here at the BCSO and motivate them to go out and do a very difficult and very dangerous job.

JML: You have a pretty high profile these days, with the Town Hall meetings you've been holding, and you were on WGOW recently. How's that working for you, getting out there and meeting one-on-one with people in the community?
TG: Actually, very well. I enjoy that. And I'd like to say this, too: I enjoy this job. Some people have been somewhat critical of me this first year with my asking for some things, as in my budget requests. Maybe they felt like I should have just gone along with things the way they were. But I believe these are important enough issues, and the safety of the community is important enough, that we don't need to keep burying our heads in the sand. We need to address these issues.

Now, we don't have to do it all this year and I've never said we did ~ but we have to start making some progress and not continue to ignore the problems. And I think some people have been critical of me for doing that during this first year. They seem to think I should have come in and not made waves. But I believe the community expects their sheriff to look after their best interests in terms of public safety, and I am willing to do that. In fact, I am determined to do that. As long as I am sheriff, I am going to speak out and work towards what is necessary to help ensure the public safety of the citizens of Bradley County. And I think, for the most part, a vast majority of citizens want that and support that. There's a vocal group out there ~ and I call them the vocal minority ~ who would like to see Bradley County remain stuck in the past instead of moving forward into the future. But that comes with the territory. The fact is, this is a public position and anytime you're in a public position, every decision you make is open to public scrutiny. Some will agree with you and some will not agree with you. But overall I feel like there is strong support and positive sentiment in the community for what I'm trying to accomplish on behalf of the deputies and their families and the people of this county.

JML: Well, when it comes to law enforcement, you're hardly a novice. You have a background with the Secret Service ~ an area supervisor, I think ...
TG: Oh, absolutely. Law enforcement has been my career. I am a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, one of the top law enforcement schools in the nation. I'm a graduate of the United States Secret Service Special Agent Training Academy; again, one of the top law enforcement training academies in the country. Over my 15 year career in the Secret Service, I have continually worked with law enforcement agencies, been involved in in-service training. I am now post certified by the State of Tennessee, I regularly attend Sheriffs Association meetings, I'm part of professionally recognized organizations, such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs Association, the Tennessee Sheriffs Association and other professionally recognized law enforcement bodies. So I know what I'm talking about when it comes to some of these law enforcement needs. I'm not trying to say I've got all the answers, but we've got a good base upon which to work, a good solid foundation. That's why, with this budget process, we're trying to shore up and solidify that foundation so we can build on it for the future.

JML: Speaking of the Secret Service, Mayor Gary Davis pointed out once that you had protected Al Gore. Name some other dignitaries you've guarded and watched over.
TG: Well, in addition to other law enforcement matters, all Secret Service agents are trained in both investigative and protective procedures. But as a Secret Service agent, I have protected presidents, including George Bush #41, Bill Clinton and George Bush #43. There was Dick Cheney and Dan Quayle, and as a former president, Ronald Reagan. You mentioned Al Gore. I was assigned to Al Gore for a period of time. But Secret Service agents have various assignments throughout their career, they're not just assigned to one particular person. About 60 percent of the time you're involved in investigative matters.

JML: Such as ...?
TG: Counterfeiting, bank fraud, financial crimes, investigating threats against the president or vice president, terrorist organizations, things of that nature. It's very high level, one of the premier law enforcement agencies in the world.

JML: So you weren't just a glorified body guard?
TG: Absolutely not. And anybody who would think that doesn't know anything about the Secret Service or its true mission and all it involves.

JML: After all that high level stuff, are you content here in Bradley County?
TG: This is my home. And my goal right now is to do a good job as sheriff of Bradley County. I was elected to do this. You never know what the future may hold, but at this point I plan to run for another term. I enjoyed my time with the secret Service and I'm enjoying my time now as sheriff. I'm going to do the best I can while I'm here. That's my goal. Beyond that, we just have to see what comes. Right now I'm concentrating on serving the people of Bradley County as their sheriff. You know, this is my hometown. I was raised here. In fact, that's why I left the Secret Service when they wanted to transfer me back to Washington, DC. I chose to stay here in my hometown and to raise my family here and give them the same hometown opportunities I had.

JML: You have a lot of family in the community?
TG: My wife's family is here, my family is here. My children like Walker Valley High School and Ocoee Middle School and North Lee Elementary School. This is our home. I want to do what I can for my hometown, to make it better for my children and, one day, for their children.

JML: So this is more than just a job for you ~ it's personal?
TG: Oh, absolutely. And I take people's safety as seriously as I take my own family's safety. So it's personal and it's also on behalf of other people. I feel very strongly about that and I feel that in my role as sheriff I can make a difference in the community. You know, it was great to be a Secret Service agent and do all those things, travel around the world and fly on Marine One and Air Force One and Air Force Two and do all these things. I've visited 17 foreign countries, every state in the Union except Alaska, and I'd like to go there some day. But where you really make the difference in the lives of people is in local law enforcement. I've enjoyed my first year as sheriff and I'm thankful the people elected me and put me in this position. It gives me that opportunity to make a difference in a way that I haven't had before, and I'm enjoying it very, very much.

JML: Speaking of family, who was Lewis Gobble?
TG: Well, he was my grandfather. He owned Gobble's Supply downtown. A lot of the farmers might remember him. They sold Happy Feed and used to have a slogan that said, "Don't squabble, get happy ~ Happy Feed ~ trade with Gobble." My brother now operates a business up on North Lee Highway, Gobble's Automotive, and he uses a variation of that slogan. But (Lewis Gobble) also served as a deputy sheriff here in Bradley County under Clifton Pierce back when Mr. Pierce was sheriff. So even in my background there's a law enforcement tradition here in Bradley County. (Law enforcement) has been a good career for me and, like I said, I'll continue to do it as long as the people will allow me the opportunity.

JML: Briefly ~ what's the main difference between the BCSO pre-Tim Gobble and post-Tim Gobble?
TG: Well, from a mission standpoint, we have changed the focus ~ and this is one thing I tell my deputies ~ if there's ever a question, ask yourself this: "Is it honest? Is it fair to all concerned? And is it professional; does it meet a set of known guidelines for professional law enforcement?" If the answer to those three questions is yes, you're on solid ground. And that kind of defines our mission. Other than that, another difference is we've managed our resources more effectively, we're saving taxpayer money to the greatest extent possible, and we're operating in a positive, upbeat, progressive, innovative manner that I believe, given time, will show results.

JML: You mention taxpayer money again. I think it's worth pointing out ~ especially considering Trustee Mike Smith's financial report regarding Bradley County's healthy investments, savings, fund balances and the like ~ that your proposed budget was based on a three-year phase-in plan that did not require, nor call for, any sort of tax increase.
TG: That's right, it did not and does not call for or require a tax increase. In fact, I had an agreement previously with (County Commissioner and Finance Committee Chair) Connie Wilson that would not have required a new tax increase. She stated to me that the money was available in the fund balance to do what we were trying to do and begin phasing that in. She was working very closely, or was going to work very hard to get the Finance Committee to approve that. That didn't work out ...

JML: ... And she immediately dropped off the face of the earth the following week.
TG: Well, she resigned from the Finance Committee, for whatever reason. But we now know at least some money is available. My critics say that no money is available, but let's put this in the proper terms. And incidentally, no one has argued or disputed the fact that the needs of the BCSO as I have presented them aren't real. For example, a salary that will help attract and retain qualified employees ~ nobody has said we don't need that. Or the ability to purchase vehicles that are safe and reliable for emergency response and have less than 200,000 miles on them ~ nobody disputes that we need that when agencies all across the country get rid of their vehicles at 125,000 to 150,000 miles, including the City, and we're keeping ours at 200,000 and beyond. No one has said we don't need these things to meet our statutory obligations.

So it's not what I've asked for that my critics have a problem with. They just say, "Well, it's going to cost us some money." But when we can show, when (Bradley County Trustee) Mike Smith can demonstrate, that we have all this money available and it's hidden away in drawers and invested here and there and has had a bunch of restrictions placed on it to the point that we can't use it to meet the number one statutory obligation of government ~ and that is to protect the people ~ than maybe we need to reevaluate where we're putting our money and what we're doing with it. Let's meet the basic needs first. And then if there are other things that need to be done, let's do them. But let's meet our primary responsibility first, and that is public safety. That is fundamental, that is our primary obligation. And, again, I think people support that.

JML: Well, in my humble opinion, and just speaking for myself, it seems obvious to me that your message and accomplishments are not reaching the people through any of the local media. In fact, I daresay they're hostile to you for bucking the good ol' boy status quo. The county commission is openly hostile, Mayor Gary Davis has been critical of you to the point of petulance. In that light, how do you get your message out?
TG: Well, all I know to do is just take my message to the people. You may be right, though ~ it does seem like what I'm reading in the local papers is very one-sided and distorted. But I don't want to sound like I'm attacking people and I don't want to get into a tit-for-tat in the media. I'm not comfortable with things like that and, honestly, I just don't believe in doing things that way.

But these media attacks have taught me one thing ~ if you can't get anyone else to carry your message, you have to do it yourself. All I know to do is go straight to the citizens of Bradley County on a one-on-one level, like what we've been doing with the Town Hall meetings. That way, folks can show up and put their questions or concerns directly to me and I will address them. We record those meetings and it's all in the public record. That way, when someone starts putting words in my mouth or distorting something I've said, the citizens of Bradley County can listen to the audio of the meetings and hear for themselves what the truth is.

JML: Where does one go to listen to the audio?
TG: I'm getting to that. Because I've also learned that one of the greatest assets of the BCSO for getting information to the public is our website http://bradleysheriff.com which, in the past, hasn't been utilized to its fullest potential. This site is a tremendous source of information regarding the Bradley County Sheriff's Office and we work hard to keep it updated with all kinds of information. The audio from the Town Hall meetings can be found there. With just a mouse-click you can hear the raw, unedited audio of the meetings in their entirety. We keep the site updated with press releases, with things that the BCSO is doing, like the recent warrant roundup where we cleared over 100 outstanding warrants. The website has a great photo gallery where people can see who the BCSO employees are and the different divisions and the deputies in action, the SWAT team, training exercises, the jail, that sort of thing. We even have an organizational chart posted there showing how things are laid out.

JML: And lest anyone thinks the BCSO site is irrelevant, let me give you some figures. Last October, in 2006, the BCSO site got less than 50,000 hits for that month. August of this year ~ the last month of your first year in office ~ the site had almost 180,000 hits. That's 130,000 more hits over last year.
TG: I didn't know that. You'll have to let me know where I go to view those figures.

JML: I can do that. I think you'll be impressed. But we should also inform the public that there's an email address for people who want to contact you if they have questions or comments.
TG: That's right ~ comments@bradleysheriff.com

JML: Is that confidential?
TG: Well, it's not a tip hotline or anything like that. Although, if someone wants to report a crime and they don't know any other way to do it, they can certainly contact me there. Of course, all emails are treated discreetly and with confidence. I certainly respect people's privacy. But mainly, I want the public to know that the BCSO website is a really good way to find out things they will not find out in the local media.

JML: Why is the local media so unfriendly to you?
TG: You'll have to ask them.

JML: Maybe it's cynical, but I don't think folks know what to do with an elected official who's as squeaky clean as you are. No offense, but you're actually kind of a stuffed shirt.
TG: Well, I don't know about all that.

JML: Let me elaborate. You were talking about the strenuous requirements for employment with the BCSO, and the polygraphs and zero tolerance for pot use and all. Maybe I'm wrong, but I doubt you've ever even smoked a joint.
TG: I have not.

JML: Never even took a hit, whether you inhaled or not.
TG: No.

JML: You've probably never had a drink either.
TG: Well, no. But I don't condemn people that do drink. I just choose not to. It's a personal choice that has to do with my upbringing and religious teaching. I'm not self-righteous about it, though. The Bible doesn't necessarily condemn drink, but it clearly condemns drunkenness.

JML: Well, Jesus didn't turn that water into Gatorade.
TG: No, he turned it into wine. But if you're going to include this in the interview, I might need to clarify. To the extent that your drinking might cause another to stumble, you maybe should not engage in it. But that's your personal choice.

JML: Of course, doctors agree a little vino in a medicinal context can fortify one's constitution.
TG: Well, Paul told Timothy to partake of a little wine for thy stomach's sake. So medicinal use goes back to Bible days. I don't think you can condemn someone for taking a drink. According to our laws, it is completely legal. However, today and even back in Biblical times, public drunkenness was condemned. Driving under the influence is wrong, both morally and according to law. But, in my view, it's better ~ especially if you're predisposed to addictions ~ it's better to never take that first drink. You can avoid a lot of problems. Young people, especially.

I want to encourage young people to not even start drinking because what often happens is you think you can handle it and you begin small, in moderation, and, as with many things, over time you begin drinking more and more and possibly become addicted. Before you know it, you've gone down this road to alcoholism and your life can be ruined. Your marriage and family and career and future totally destroyed. Wouldn't it be better to never start down that road to begin with? So I want to encourage our young people, if they've never done it, don't start. For their own sake. Same with marijuana or any other drug. For your own sake, don't even start. And definitely don't drink and drive. That applies to all ages.

JML: Last place you want to end up is in the backseat of one of those high-mileage cruisers with the blue lights on top. As nice and modern as the Bradley County jail is, only a fool would want to go live there.
TG: It's not just their own life they risk if they drink and drive, it's innocent lives as well.

JML: And only you can prevent forest fires.
TG: Well, I don't mean to get preachy.

JML: No, your points are well made and young and old alike will be well served to heed them.
TG: Thank you.

JML: And thank you, deacon. This is as good a place to stop as any, don't you think?
TG: Tell them about the Sheriff's Family Fun Day coming up in October.

JML: How about we just let them check in at www.bradleysheriff.com from time to time and when the date gets a little closer, they can read about it for themselves?
TG: Well, that works for me, too.