Richmond County sheriff candidates go before voters in forums
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree and his primary runoff challenger, Eugene “Gino Rock” Brantley addressed voters in a pair of forums on Thursday.
The first forum was from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. as an initiative of the AME, AMEZ and CME denominations. It will take place at the Hudson Memorial CME Church, 2 Taylor St.
Then there was a forum for the sheriff and Superior Court judge at 6:30 p.m. in the First Baptist Church Mission Activities Center, 3500 Walton Way. The West Augusta Alliance hosted the forum.
Candidates had a brief opportunity to introduce themselves and present their platforms. The event was be moderated, and the audience will have the chance to submit questions for the candidates.
People gathered waiting on the edge of their seats to see what the candidates had to say about issues surrounding policing in Richmond County.
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The biggest topic included Broad Street’s latest shooting.
“We were ill-prepared. Anytime there is a first Friday, we need to get out there and front and provide safety for all the people who come down there,” said Brantley.
Sheriff Roundtree did not comment on the incident.
“I really can’t. That’s a GBI incident,” he said.
Bringing change to the community was another issue brought up, along with the use of force within the sheriff’s office.
“Putting officers back into neighborhood community. Policing is very important in our community. Now, you see there is such a divide between our police and our community and the only way you fix that is through communication,” said Brantley.
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“One of the first initiatives I did was body-worn cameras for ability that’s one of the things that was first started, and we did it in the school system when I was operations command, we were the first ones to get body cameras there to hold officers able in public,” said Roundtree.
Some young people in the audience wanted to know how Roundtree and Brantley could help their future and ensure they are not a victim.
“What plans do you have for me and other black men?” asked an audience member.
“So, we have to get out of the neighborhood, meet the kids where they are and give them some meaningful mentor programs,” said Brantley.
“We sponsor recreational teams through the recreation office. We sponsor two basketball teams, a football team, and a baseball team, and the deputies are the coaches for these teams,” said Roundtree.
On Thursday, both candidates hope to sway voters in their direct with one last push.
Advance voting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Linda W. Beazley Community Room of the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building at 535 Telfair St., the Charles Evans Community Center at 1866 Highland Ave., the Robert Howard Community Center at 103 Diamond Lakes Way, and the Warren Road Recreation Center at 300 Warren Road.
The last day for early voting will be this Friday.
In order to be counted, voted mail-in absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. June 18.
There will be a drop box open in the Linda Beazley Room during the advance voting period as allowed by law.
Election Day voting will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 18, and all polling locations in Augusta-Richmond County will be open. Voters must report to their assigned precinct in order to vote on Election Day.
Sample ballots will be available at voting sites or can be viewed at www.augustaga.gov/vote or the My Voter Page at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/. For more information, the Board of Elections Office at 706-821-2340.
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