Friday, May 3, 2024
Candidates from across Hood County are hoping to win over voters and have been campaigning for the upcoming election in March. On Feb. 1, a candidate debate was held at Granbury City Hall where candidates for sheriff, constable, precinct 1 commissioner and precinct 3 commissioner, as well as precinct 1 justice of the peace had a chance to let voters know what they stand for and what they would bring to the table.
Each candidate was able to provide an opening remark followed by answering several questions asked by Christine Leftwich before giving a closing remark.
The evening kicked off with candidates running for precinct 1 commissioner speaking, including incumbent Kevin Andrews and candidate Morris Duree.
PRECINCT 1 COMMISSIONER
Duree has lived in Hood County for about 50 years and is running on a conservative platform. He has owned several businesses, works as a developer and hopes to use that knowledge to earn him a spot on the commissioner’s court. He believes in lowering taxes and shared that his biggest concern for the county right now is the growth coming. He’s also concerned with roads and infrastructure as well as water in the county. Duree shared he is active in multiple charity groups and enjoys helping and serving the community. He wants to research and learn about issues facing the county and community with residents as best as he can.
Andrews hopes to be re-elected on his conservative, Constitutional Republican platform. Andrews previously served on the executive committee of the Republican Party and shared that his trips down to the state capitol have helped him understand the Republican platform better. Andrews served as a former fire chief, small business owner and building contractor. Andrews noted he voted and reduced taxes while serving and worked to improve the pay scale for the sheriff’s office. He also highlighted his work with getting three fire stations approved along with new fire equipment. Finally, he expressed how important personal property rights are to him.
When asked what the most important role is when serving as a county commissioner, Andrews said it is the budget, whereas Duree said integrity is the most important aspect. When asked about water, Duree shared that with his development work, he understands the development process and wants to keep properties protected while also encouraging developers to come to the county. Andrews noted water is something commissioners continue to look at and discuss.
Duree closed by telling attendees to speak with him further to learn more about him. Andrews ended noting he has focused on what he promised four years ago when he was running for commissioner and continues to focus on fiscal responsibility, emergency services, roads and the growth that’s coming.
COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3
Jack Wilson is currently the commissioner for precinct 3 and is running for re-election against Nate Criswell. Wilson has lived in Hood County since 1977 and hopes to be re-elected running on a Republican platform. Most important to Wilson are second amendment rights and he noted that if they are lost, the other amendments will follow. Second to that, Wilson shared the next most important stance he holds is being pro-life. Some of Wilson’s most notable achievements he shared while serving include working towards getting new electronic voting machines and going from using multiple software systems to one. He is proud of the technological strides they have made to keep up the advancements in technology.
Criswell is a conservative Republican, Navy Veteran, former precinct chair, county chair of the Republican Party and a delegate to the state convention. Some of Criswell’s main policies focus on opposing school bonds and speaking out against budgetary practices. During his time serving as a delegate, he shared that he spoke out against softening the language on marriage and school choice and stood firm on being pro-life. He added that he even helped Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds years ago with the second amendment sanctuary resolution. Criswell added that when selecting a county commissioner, voters should select someone who doesn’t vote to raise property taxes and someone with a clearly defined public policy. Criswell further shared that when he was county chair, he partnered with a local property tax expert to put on a property appraisal protest seminar to allow residents to learn how to take on the appraisal district.
When asked what the most important role is when serving as a county commissioner, Wilson and Criswell both shared they believe it is setting the budget and tax rate. When asked about large-scale developments, Wilson noted it is important to maintain control over what is being developed and that water is the main issue with these developments. Criswell said Hood County has been overdeveloped for years and is lacking infrastructure in many different areas, but he hopes to improve that if elected with planning and proactive solutions.
Wilson closed his remarks by noting he looks forward to serving as commissioner, and Criswell shared that with his background and experience, he can better serve the community by working full time, using the Holy Bible, the United States Constitution, the Texas Constitution and the Republican Party of Texas Platform to guide his decisions. He added that Wilson voted against declaring an invasion at the southern border.
HOOD COUNTY SHERIFF
Incumbent Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds, Johnny Rose and Scott London are running to serve as Hood County’s Sheriff.
Deeds has served as sheriff for four terms and loves to help people. Prior to this role he served as a firefighter. During his time serving as sheriff, Deeds noted he has continually focused on moving forward. He created a mental health unit after a rise in calls involving mental health crises and has worked to keep drugs out of Hood County. Some of his most notable achievements include putting mobile data terminals into each vehicle at the sheriff’s office as well as adding body cameras and continually improving the technology within the office.
Rose has been a Texas Peace Officer for 33 years and is looking to bring God back into government. He believes it is time for a change in the sheriff’s office.
London formerly served as the Eddy County Sheriff in New Mexico and has 23 years of diverse police experience. He noted he is fiscally conservative and also is big on keeping the United States Constitution a forefront in his practices.
When asked what the most important role is when serving as sheriff, Deeds shared that being able to protect and serve the citizens is the most important duty alongside following the Constitution. He also added that having someone in that role with experience, integrity and intelligence is needed.
Rose said he believes a sheriff shouldn’t threaten his employees nor have deputies that fail polygraph tests, accusing Deeds of both. He also accused Deeds of having a deputy take a tissue with blood from a crime scene. He then shared seven policies he would enforce as sheriff including having deputies that don’t violate citizens civil rights, taking a faith-based approach to mental health problems, implementing a training program for inmates to teach them a trade, having veterans protect schools, allowing for citizens to have access to more open records, instilling more Constitutional training, instilling a report card system for elected officials and term limits.
London said the main reason he is running is because he hopes to improve the services given to the community. He then shared a personal story about trying to report a crime to a deputy and being told by the deputy, they wouldn’t take the report. He added it would be nice to have a sheriff that would stand up against the federal government and said he is running to bring in strong leadership. He also wants to train all sheriff’s deputies about their oath to the Constitution.
The candidates were then asked what their response would be if President Joe Biden were to issue a confiscation order on any type of assault rifles.
Deeds, Rose and London each responded they would not take away anyone’s guns or second amendment rights. Deeds shared he previously passed the second amendment sanctuary, thus he would never take away anyone’s rights. Rose said that as the chief law enforcement officer, it is one’s obligation to go by their oath to protect, preserve and defend the Constitution and he would do just that. London added he would take this a step further and would train the deputies in knowing what their rights look like and what it takes to protect those rights.
The candidates were asked about Gov. Greg Abbott’s response to border security and the issue of states’ rights versus federal policy.
Deeds shared he is glad that Abbott has stepped up where the federal government has failed to do its job. He added that years ago there were only two “illegal aliens” in the jail and that now that number is up to around 15 to 20 people in the jail. Rose and London also agreed with Abbott’s choice to defend our borders, both noting though they wish he had acted sooner.
Then the candidates were asked a yes or no question – whether they believe the event at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th (2021) was an insurrection against the United States. Deeds did not give a yes or no answer. He shared that he was worried about Texas and Hood County and hoped the event doesn’t cause a trickle-down effect.
Rose said the event was “absolutely not an insurrection” and was set up by the Democrats, calling it a “travesty.”
London also did not give a yes or no answer but instead pleaded ignorance, noting he doesn’t follow national news very much and has heard arguments from both sides. He said citizens have a right to address the government and added that if police officers were holding open the doors, it would be hard for him to call the event an insurrection.
In closing remarks, Deeds reminded everyone of his long service as Hood County Sheriff and said he is willing and wants to keep doing his job. He added that he will continue working hard to keep the county safe. Rose finished by saying he knows the problems in the current sheriff’s office and has solutions for them. London shared that he wants to look into cold case homicides and work toward closing more cases. He added he wants the community to be proud and confident of its sheriff.
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT 1
Roger Howell currently serves as Hood County’s Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 but was not present for the debate. Howell faces challengers Dean Armstrong, Sissy Freeman and Clint Head; Head was not in attendance.
Armstrong has worked in the county clerk’s office for 27 years and has been a chief deputy for 13 years. He has also served in the criminal, civil, juvenile, mental and probate courts. He has trained in the county government, attorney’s office, district attorney’s office, district clerk’s office, justice of the peace, and county court offices. He served 18 years on the Hood County Bail Bond Board, 16 of those years as vice chairman. Amstrong is also a Navy veteran and conservative.
Freeman has lived in Hood County for around 40 years and shared that she is a mother as well as a widow. She lost her daughter in 2005 before losing her husband in 2012. She told this not to have voters feel pity for her, but to learn where her strength comes from. She has worked in the justice of the peace office for the past five years and has worked alongside Howell.
When asked what voters should look for in their JP, Armstrong noted that being fair and impartial is the most important part. He added you can’t take sides and need to listen to the arguments made and evidence presented. He also added that the JP needs to be someone who understands the law and can research well. Freeman shared it is most important to be fair and equal to everyone by listening to each side of the case. She added it is important to be fair and treat everyone in the courtroom with respect and dignity as well as upholding the law.
The candidates were asked if elected, what type of training and continuing education they would plan to acquire to better prepare for handling disputes subject to the jurisdiction of the justice of the peace courts.
Both candidates noted that when elected, attendance at what is called “baby judge school” is required, where there are numerous training classes. Armstrong shared that if elected, he will work to keep up with the Texas Legislature every year as well as take online courses to continue to gain insightful information. Freeman said she will continue to attend classes she can as well as take online courses to further her knowledge.
The two were then asked under what circumstances they would be compelled to recuse themselves from a case. Armstrong and Freeman both agreed they would recuse themselves from any case involving someone they have a personal relationship with. Freeman further added it is important to ask people you have a relationship with if they would be okay with them being on their case, and some may be fine with that.
In closing remarks, Armstrong shared he has been in this business a long time and has complete control of a courtroom when he is in it. He added that he took the county clerk’s office into a paperless environment for efficiency and added he would like to do that for tickets. Freeman closed out by noting she has the most experience in the county clerk’s office and would be honored to serve.
CONSTABLE PRECINCT 2
John Shirley currently serves as constable for precinct 2 and his opponent Steve Smith was not in attendance. Shirley has served as constable since 2018 and has been a peace officer since 1994. He proudly runs as a conversative Christian Republican and has 20 years of experience with the Houston Police Department, where he served as sergeant and then as a full-time investigator with homicide and then financial crimes. He obtained certification as a fraud examiner before retiring and becoming a fraud investigator in the insurance industry. He added that during the COVID-19 pandemic he worked to stand up for small businesses by allowing them due process.
When asked what the most important role is as constable, Shirley shared it is all about being a public servant. He stands by the belief that God put him in that role and his goal is to touch people in the way that Christ expects him to.
When asked what Shirley is most proud of when looking at his accomplishments, he noted he was able to get his own office rather than sharing with the other precinct and is even opening a second office. He is proud of his vocal presence on social media and the information he provides regarding human trafficking and illegal dumping.
Shirley was asked about Abbott’s response to border security and the issue of states’ rights versus federal policy. Shirley shared he would like to see Abbott come up with a comprehensive plan to combat the federal government’s failure to step up. He also wants to see constables across Texas play a bigger role in the border issue and be given more opportunity to take a look at it.
When asked what the most pressing concern is in Shirley’s precinct, he quickly responded, citing the bitcoin plant. He shared that he got a certified sound meter and has begun studying the noise and is continuing to investigate the issue.
Shirley was then asked a yes or no question — was Jan. 6 an insurrection against our country — to which Shirley said no. He said 99.995% of the people there were red-blooded Americans celebrating their first amendment rights but added that those who damaged the building offended him and deserve prison time.
He closed by sharing his love for the job and his passion to serve. He added that he serves not only the people in his precinct but people all over the county.
CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3
Randy Ellis currently serves as the constable for precinct 3 but was not in attendance at the debate. Greg Neal is his opposition. Neal is from Garland and served on the Dallas Police Department for 29-and-a-half years; he has been in law enforcement for 36 years.
When asked what the most important role is as constable, Neal shared that being a service-oriented person is most important. He said the role is for someone wanting to make more of a difference within the community. He hopes to continue to be proactive and do good for the community rather than just the basics of what are required of his job.
Neal then was asked about Abbott’s response to border security and the issue of states’ rights versus federal policy. Neal said the state has the right to secure the border and what is happening currently is a mess. He added that he supports Abbott’s efforts but noted they are a bit late.
When asked what the most pressing concern is in Neal’s precinct, he said people have raised concerns to him regarding not being able to get in touch with Ellis.
Neal was then asked a yes or no question — was Jan. 6 an insurrection against our country — to which Neal said he doesn’t believe so. He added that mainstream media didn’t show the whole story.
He closed by saying he is passionate about the work he does and has the background and training to show for it, adding it is about being proactive in the community and listening to concerns.
VOTING
Early voting will take place Feb. 20-23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Annex 1 at 1410 W. Pearl St. in Granbury.
Voters will also have time to cast their ballots Feb. 24 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Feb. 26-March 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Election Day is March 5.
