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Three Republicans are running for Franklin County Sheriff – (from left) Brian Stovall, Scott Andrews and Mitch Murphy.
The Franklin County Citizen Leader submitted a list of questions for candidates qualified to run in the May 21 primary. The answers to those questions were used to write a profile of the candidate. The questions were:
1. What experience (professional, personal or service) do you feel best qualifies you and will serve you best in the position you seek?
2. What is the number one law enforcement challenge facing Franklin County? What is the best way to deal with that challenge?
3. What will be your top short-term goal to get accomplished within the first year of your term? How will you get it done?
4. Give four longer-term goals that you would like to see the sheriff’s office accomplish by the end of your term.
5. How will you balance the need for patrols of high-demand areas of the county (I-85, Gumlog, others) with the need to offer coverage and patrols of all parts of Franklin County?
6. If you had a chance to speak one-on-one with each registered voter in the county, what would you say to secure his or her vote?
Candidates were also asked to provide information about background, education, past service in government or with community organizations, church and family.
Brian Stovall
By Shane Scoggins
Publisher
GUMLOG – Brian Stovall said he won’t rest until Franklin County is “the best place to raise a family and start a business.”
A former Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy, Stovall is a farmer and owns a family grading business.
”My 10 years in local law enforcement were fulfilling and I departed due to expanding my poultry and cattle farm and building a family business,” he said. “My decision to run came after much prayer, long conversations with my family and encouragement from our community. My wife and I have family standing ready to lead our business so I can dedicate myself to being your full-time working sheriff.”
Stovall said he is optimistic about the future of the Franklin County community and is running to give the community a sheriff’s office to be proud of.
“I strongly believe Franklin County deserves a sheriff who is willing, able and committed to protecting and serving the citizens,” he said. “In my heart, I always knew I wanted to return to law enforcement when the time was right. I am humbled by the support I have gained over the last few months. If elected, I pledge to strive daily to make our county a safe place to live and work for my family and yours and to uphold the laws of the State of Georgia and Constitution of the United States. I pledge to serve as your sheriff with honesty, integrity and transparency to all.”
Stovall is a lifelong resident of Franklin County and a Franklin County High School graduate.
He graduated from the Northeast Georgia Police Academy in 2008 and went to work immediately for the sheriff’s office, where he served for more than 10 years.
“I am the only candidate with experience in the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and as a successful business owner,” Stovall said. “I own a poultry and cattle farm and a grading business. These combined experiences give me the knowledge and leadership ability required to oversee the county’s safety and finances with honesty, integrity, and transparency. I pledge as your Sheriff to be dedicated to serve and protect each of you. I strongly believe Franklin County deserves a sheriff who is willing, able-bodied and committed to duties of the job he is entrusted with by the citizens of Franklin County.”
Stovall and his wife Brooke live in Gumlog and have four children.
His law enforcement and business experience best qualifies him for sheriff, he said.
“My experience as a sheriff’s deputy, farmer, and business owner sets me apart from other candidates,” Stovall said. “I strongly believe my experience gives me a better perspective in serving our community. Working 10 years as a deputy sheriff gave me a detailed understanding of the daily operations of the sheriff’s office. As a business owner, I have worked closely with the community, managed budgets, overseen payroll, supervised a solid team and worked to earn the trust of my customers and community. My work and life experiences provided me the skills and knowledge to lead a sheriff’s office that will enable our community’s success.”
Illegal drugs are the number one law enforcement challenge facing Franklin County, the candidate said.
“During my time as a deputy sheriff, drugs were a common factor in property, domestic violence and child abuse crimes,” he said. “The manufacturing, distribution and possession of illegal drugs must be confronted proactively. All our citizens are affected by drug related crime. If elected sheriff, it will be my goal to eradicate our drug epidemic. I will work tirelessly to shut down every drug ring. We will make it known to criminals selling and manufacturing illegal drugs, they are not welcome here to prey on our citizens.”
Dealing with drugs will be a part of his short-term and long-term goals, Stovall said.
In the short-term, the candidate said he wants to do a complete detailed assessment of the sheriff’s budget.
“To begin an assessment of the expenditures of the sheriff’s office and detention center, I will meet with the Board of Commissioners, chairman, county manager, county finance employees and county auditor to review past, ongoing and projected expenses,” he said. “It is necessary to prioritize the expenses into categories based on need. This will allow more transparency of how tax dollars are being utilized. Doing so will allow our sheriff’s office to protect you while also stewarding your tax dollars.”
Stovall said that rural law enforcement agencies like Franklin County’s struggle with limited local and state funding, and federal grants require matching funds from the county.
“Regardless, our sheriff’s office must provide the same service quality to local communities as other agencies who fortunately have better funding and resources,” he said. “To reduce the budget, we must do more with less, unless we can generate more. One way to accomplish my top short-term goal while also working towards accomplishing long-term goals is to generate revenue by asset seizure in drug cases. I strongly believe drug dealers can be forced out of business through asset seizure, beginning with transportation and currency. We will imprison and eradicate drug dealers and use their money to do it.”
Stovall said he is committed to “making a difference in all of Franklin County’s communities” by forming a Community Engagement Committee.
The mission of the committee will be “to enhance public safety by connecting law enforcement with citizens in the communities we serve. The committee will address topics of crime prevention, investing in our youth, protecting our seniors, community events, neighborhood watch, and any other topics the citizens feel need to be brought to the attention of law enforcement.”
Stovall said the sheriff must layout a clear vision for the office and create unity.
“Once a clear vision has been set, goals should be established, along with a time frame for accomplishing those goals,” he said.
Stovall’s goals center around fighting illegal drugs, finding an “effective and cost efficient” solution to the county jail issue, promoting school safety and recruiting and retaining deputies and staff members.
“If elected as your sheriff, it will be my goal to fight back against the drug epidemic plaguing our communities,” he said. “The manufacturing, distribution and possession of illegal drugs and all drug related crime needs to be actively and aggressively addressed. I along with the men and women of the sheriff’s office will work tirelessly to shut down every drug ring. We will make it known to criminals selling and manufacturing illegal drugs, they are not welcome here to prey on our citizens.”
Stovall said if he is elected, he will meet with the jail committee, review all inspections and needs assessments of the current jail and compare those to the costs associated with building a new jail. He will “work with the county to determine what is the most effective and cost efficient route.
“The county jail is often viewed as a necessary evil,” he said. “We understand jails are needed and why, but the cost associated with it is a hard pill for taxpayers to swallow. When public schools become dated or overcrowded and new facilities are needed, there’s community support from parents, teachers, school administrators, etc. When jails become dated, in desperate need of repairs or overcrowded community support is minimal. In the same way we view building new schools necessary for the improvement of our community, we should see the jail as a necessity for the community’s protection.”
Stovall said a jail is a huge liability to the county and taxpayers if there is a lawsuit.
“That money is better utilized being spent on a resolution,” he said. “Due to current overcrowding, an estimated $750 dollars per day is spent housing Franklin County inmates in other counties. We are essentially helping pay for those jails. Franklin County continues to grow and with growth comes increased crime. We cannot continue to prolong the inevitable instead of focusing on a current issue and working towards the comprehensive plan.”
Stovall said that law enforcement constantly changes and evolves to face new, emerging issues.
“The sheriff must be prepared to face those issues head on and plan strategically for the future of the agency,” he said. “Over the last few years this has become increasingly difficult as the economy becomes more unpredictable. The sheriff isn’t the only elected official faced with how to handle the increased crime, an overpopulated jail, retaining qualified staff and the needed funding to make it all happen. All county officials need to sit down together to create a solution to the problem; working together we can solve this more efficiently.”
Stovall said that school safety has a huge impact on student success, safety and well-being.
“My goal is to focus on promoting the highest level of safety in Franklin County Schools,” he said. “Not just as your Sheriff, but as a father of three children currently attending school in Franklin County, I believe students are more likely to develop trusting relationships with their peers; demonstrate positive behaviors; and achieve better academic outcomes in a safe environment. I plan to continue the Champs Program, Junior Deputy Camp and Community Partnership.”
The sheriff’s office needs to recruit and retain staff members and deputies that will provide “the highest level of professional services,” Stovall said.
He said he will start to tackle the issue by evaluating the issues having to do with recruitment and retention of individuals “who demonstrate integrity, professionalism and trust.
“If elected as your sheriff, I will advocate for a wage and benefit comparison of all sheriff’s offices within a 50 miles radius of Franklin County,” Stovall said. “I will identify key positions within the agency and specify the required experience, training, education, testing and certifications necessary for these roles. I will invest in incentives for current employees preparing themselves for key positions based on their: experience, training, education, certifications, etc. I will provide educational opportunities to individuals in relevant and critical areas related to investigations, patrol, and detention. It is essential to provide specialized and advanced training for command staff.”
One example of an incentive for current and future employees is to invest in physical and mental health, he said.
“I would suggest we provide free or discounted access to a designated fitness facility as part of a wellness program,” Stovall said. “Additionally, physical fitness is often considered an important aspect of law enforcement and first responder’s work. Wellness initiatives cover multiple aspects of health by promoting physical preparedness, alleviating stress, and strengthening connections among employees, therefore addressing the employee’s physical, mental and social well-being.”
Stovall also has a plan for balancing the needs of high-demand areas with maintaining patrols throughout the county.
“I plan to split the county into zones and assign deputies to patrol within those zones. I believe this will lessen the response times for every citizen countywide,” he said. “I plan to continue our in-house Specialized Operation Interdiction Team, this team will provide additional assistance in high crime areas as needed. Having the communities’ support and deputies working to build relationships within these communities will make a positive difference. I plan to have a designated drug investigator specifically assigned to work on the county-wide drug problem and assist with the crippling drug epidemic we are facing.”
While he said the size of the population prevents him from meeting each voter one-on-one, Stovall said he would love to do that.
“I have spoken one-on-one with many citizens over the last few months and if I haven’t had a chance to speak with you and you have questions or concerns please reach out to me,” he said. “I would love the opportunity to speak directly to every citizen, shake hands, and look you in the eye and humbly ask for your vote.”
Scott Andrews
By Shane Scoggins
Publisher
CARNESVILLE – Scott Andrews said his long service in law enforcement and in the Franklin County community qualifies him to be elected to his dream job: Franklin County Sheriff.
“Franklin County has always been home to me,” he said. “Being elected as sheriff of our county has been a life long dream. I have a vested interest in our county from graduating to coaching high school football here for 16 years, serving as the Little League president, to raising my kids here. I feel that my training and experience qualifies me to serve as your Franklin County Sheriff and make our county a safe place to live and work. I have worked all around this great state during my career and I can guarantee you that there is no place like home.”
Andrews has spent 35 years in law enforcement and has 3,355 training hours.
He began his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections before moving on to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. He retired from the Georgia State Patrol as commander for Post 52 in Hartwell.
“During my career I have attended numerous Leadership/management trainings including the Law Enforcement Executive Development Training through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),” he said. “I have served on SWAT teams, motorcycle units, road patrol and accident investigations. I have worked high crime/drug areas around our state to assist local agencies combat the drug epidemic that has consumed our great state.”
During his 10 years as a post commander, he was responsible for the operation of the post and its budget.
“During my time as a state trooper I was assigned to Secret Service to protect President [George W.] Bush and sent to Washington, D.C., for presidential inaugural details. I worked the 1996 Olympics and the G-8 Summit at Sea Island. I have planned and supervised major events including the University of Georgia football games and traffic details related to these events. I have worked with ICE to catch, detain and deport criminal aliens.”
During his 35 years in law enforcement, 18 were served in a management role.
The leadership classes he has taken will be vital to being sheriff, Andrews said.
He is a past president of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia and serves on the group’s executive board. He also served two years on the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council.
Andrews is currently the safety/security director for Franklin County Schools.
“During my time in this position we have implemented several safety protocols,” he said. “We have used grant funding to purchase the majority of the upgrades for our schools and continue to research the latest technology and security equipment to insure that our greatest asset, our children are safe and have a safe learning environment.”
Andrews is married to Laurie Andrews and has three sons, Casey, Coty and Cory, and a daughter, Brealyn. He is a grandfather to Lorelei and Laramie. The family lives in Carnesville and worship at Word of Life.
Andrews said his short-term goal once taking office will be to “provide quality leadership to build a professional department.”
“Most sheriffs’ offices have units/divisions within the sheriff’s office,” he said. “I will establish these within our sheriff’s office using existing manpower to maximize the efficiency and workload of the personnel. These divisions would be Uniform Patrol Division, Jail Division, Criminal Investigation Division and Civil/Court Division. Each of these would have clear responsibilities to perform. This will require a plan to recruit and retain our deputies that are committed to the citizens of Franklin County.”
Longer term, Andrews said his goals will be to work on pay for deputies and jailers, a work release program for non-violent offenders, zoned patrols and professional relationships with other agencies in the county.
“Within the first year I will conduct a survey of surrounding similar counties pay for deputies and jailers,” he said. “We must be competitive with our pay to be able to not only retain deputies and jailers but to be able to recruit the best for our county. I will work this within our budget and insure that we utilize our manpower to stay within budget while we accomplish this.”
Andrews said his work release program will be a “pay to stay” system.
“This would be a program where non-violent offenders such as someone incarcerated for child support, probation violation and other non-violet crimes will work everyday and pay a fee to be enrolled in the program,” he said. “Also the inmate would be able to pay any fines that may be owed to the county or state. Not only will this help reduce the overcrowding in our jail but it will reduce the expense to the citizens of Franklin County. This program will also help facilitate a job for the inmate upon his release from jail. These programs have proved to be successful all around our state.”
Dividing the county into zones for patrol will make sure response times are minimal, Andrews said.
“It will also allow deputies to become familiar with the residents and businesses within their assigned zones,” he said. “The absolute best crime prevention is the visibility of law enforcement.”
Zoned patrols will also be “a great way to begin to patrol our high demand areas within our county,” Andrews said.
“There will be times that we will have to conduct concentrated patrols within these areas to insure that we are getting maximum coverage,” he said. “I do believe that the citizens of Franklin County are priority and deserve the best; they need to feel safe to live and do business here. They deserve to have a deputy patrolling their area everyday and being proactive in preventing crime.”
Andrews said he knows that the county has a major interstate running through it that must be patrolled too.
“I will call on outside agencies such as the Georgia State Patrol to help patrol the interstate,” he said. “We have a State Patrol post that covers our county and the post was built to be an ‘interstate post.’ I will utilize this asset to help alleviate the strain on our deputies. I will call on them for working the interstate for enforcement actions and working crashes. The enforcement actions still go through our court systems and we will be available to assist with crashes as needed.”
Andrews said he wants to build professional working relationships with fire departments, EMS and the school system.
“I will host training events where we all come together and train for specific incidents,” he said. “We will assist our agencies when needed, and all work for the common goal of keeping our citizens safe. I feel that we all must work together to be prepared for anything that comes our way and we are much stronger together than separate.”
The top challenge facing the office is dealing with drugs, the candidate said.
“Drugs are destroying communities and families all across our county,” Andrews said. “This has become a huge issue for not only law enforcement but for families of those addicted. Also if you have a drug problem, you have a theft/burglary problem. We have areas in our county that parents cannot let their small kids outside to play for the fear of them being hurt by stepping on or picking up a used syringe that has been discarded in their yards. How do I know this? Because I have toured these areas recently. This is unacceptable.”
Andrews said he will increase patrols to include concentrated patrols in these areas and take ownership to see that these problems are eradicated.
“We will call in additional resources if needed to clean these areas up,” he said. “I feel the best way to deal with these areas are to create a fear of being caught and arrested. My officers will be trained and have the tools they need to do their job. They will arrest offenders and track the case through the judicial process to insure that we are creating an environment that drug dealers cannot do business in. I know this approach works because I have done it numerous times in counties and cities around this state. I will work these areas as if they are my neighborhood. Our message will be clear: drug dealers are not welcome in Franklin County.”
Andrews is a lifelong Franklin County resident and third generation farmer.
“I have had the honor of protecting President George W. Bush, providing security for coaches Mark Richt and Kirby Smart and keeping the kids in our schools safe,” he said. “Now I’m running for Sheriff to protect the lives and livelihoods of all Franklin County citizens. I humbly ask for your vote May 21, 2024.”
Mitch Murphy
By Shane Scoggins
Publisher
LAVONIA – A range of experience in multiple public safety departments “uniquely positions” Mitch Murphy for the job of sheriff of Franklin County, the candidate said.
“My 36 years extensive experience within the sheriff’s office, coupled with a background in fire and EMS, uniquely positions me as the most qualified candidate for the sheriff,” he said. “Throughout my tenure, I’m the only candidate that has held diverse roles that span from the jail, court system, patrol, supervision, warrants and investigations, aligning perfectly with the multifaceted responsibilities outlined in the Georgia Constitution for a sheriff. Additionally, my commitment to continuous learning is evidenced by obtaining a criminal justice degree, underscoring my dedication to enhancing my skills and knowledge to better serve the residents of Franklin County. With 36 years of dedicated service to this community, I’ve built enduring relationships and earned trust, making me the ideal choice to lead as sheriff.”
Murphy has 36 years of experience in law enforcement, 32 years as a certified EMT and served as a volunteer firefighter for 20 years.
“My dedication to public service runs deep,” he said.
Murphy is a 1982 graduate of Franklin County High School, a 1986 graduate of Truett McConnell College and a 2006 graduate of North Georgia Tech with an accredited criminal justice degree.
“Beyond my professional endeavors, I’ve devoted significant time to community involvement, spending 12 years as a Boy Scout leader, coaching little league baseball and supporting my daughter’s pursuits in cheerleading and gymnastics,” he said. “My commitment to serving the community extends to philanthropic efforts as well. For over 20 years, my wife and I have operated a non-profit food pantry, providing essential support to the citizens of our county. Additionally, we’ve dedicated seven years to running the Lavonia food pantry, furthering our impact on those in need.”
Murphy said that family holds a special place in his life. He and wife Lori have been married for 25 years and raised two children, Ashley and Andrew, together. Ashley is married to Bryan Randall, and they have two children, Brailey and Brensyn, while Andrew is married to Augusta Marsh Murphy.
“These experiences have shaped me into the candidate I am today, driven by a passion for public service, community engagement, and family values,” Murphy said.
The candidate said that the drug epidemic is the number one challenge facing the department.
“I plan to approach this with head-on and aggressive enforcement strategies, including concentrated patrols, road checks, and collaboration with investigators to target drug dealers,” Murphy said. “By securing resources and forming partnerships with other agencies, I’ll ensure we have the tools needed to combat this issue effectively. Additionally, I’ll advocate for outreach programs through the courts and probation to address the root causes of drug abuse and provide support for those seeking recovery. My goal is clear: fewer users, fewer drugs and a safer community for all.”
If elected, Murphy said his immediate focus will be on the personnel challenges facing the department.
“It’s difficult to recruit and retain talent when neighboring opportunities offer significant pay raises and early retirement incentives,” he said. “To tackle this issue head-on, I’ll enlist the expertise of a financial advisor to thoroughly review our budget, identifying areas for savings that can be redirected towards employee compensation. As a firm believer in the adage ‘take care of your employees and they’ll take care of you,’ investing in our workforce not only benefits our department but also enhances public safety for the citizens of Franklin County. Additionally, I’m committed to providing comprehensive training opportunities, leveraging not only [the Georgia Public Safety Training Center] but also courses taught by experienced law enforcement professionals nationwide, ensuring our deputies have access to the best practices and methodologies available.”
Longer term, Murphy said his goals will center around compensation for staff, combat drugs and other crimes, embrace technology for law enforcement efforts and an organizational structure that will provide coverage and protection for the county.
“We will establish a highly competitive compensation package encompassing salaries, retirement benefits and insurance to attract and retain the most qualified employees, ensuring our workforce is top-notch,” he said. By leveraging my existing rapport as a deputy and fostering robust relationships with the sheriff’s office and Franklin County citizens, we will aggressively combat drug and other crimes, making our community safer for all. Our strategy involves embracing cutting-edge technologies such as GIS for proactive policing, drone deployment for event security and search operations, and by employing other technological advances combat drugs and other criminal activities, bolstering our law enforcement capabilities. Through the implementation of a standardized organizational chart with clear chains of command, defined responsibilities, and strategic allocation of resources, we will ensure comprehensive coverage and protection for every citizen in Franklin County.”
To patrol high-demand areas, Murphy said he wants to establish a specialized crime suppression unit dedicated to patrolling the county and protecting citizens.
“By reallocating resources from I-85 to focus on areas with heightened crime and drug activity, we will provide targeted attention to where it’s most needed in our county,” he said. “These deputies will also augment investigative efforts, leveraging their specialized training in drug suppression to bolster our enforcement capabilities. I intend to partner with the Georgia State Patrol to facilitate their transition to full-time coverage of I-85, allowing our deputies to focus entirely on patrolling our county while still offering support as requested by the Georgia State Patrol. Through this collaboration, I aim to cultivate a robust partnership that prioritizes safety on our highways and throughout the entirety of our county. Utilizing GIS data and technology advances in law enforcement, our deputies will remain informed of high-crime zones and pertinent lookout information, ensuring proactive and strategic policing efforts throughout Franklin County.”
Murphy said the job of sheriff in the Georgia Constitution is “multifaceted” and include maintaining the jail, serving papers and warrants, securing courts and policing parts of the county without a dedicated police force, whether in cities or in unincorporated areas.
“Over the span of 36 years in Franklin County, I’ve diligently fulfilled all these duties within the sheriff’s office,” he said. “Additionally, I’ve pursued continuous educational advancement, obtaining a criminal justice degree from North Georgia Tech and participating in state-sponsored training programs. Beyond professional endeavors, my wife Lori and I have spearheaded a non-profit initiative for over two decades, providing essential services, including food, to our community members. Through these efforts, I’ve cultivated strong relationships not only with the citizens of Franklin County but also with various public safety agencies across the county and beyond.”