Batesville, MS -
FAST FACTS:
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(Batesville, MS 10/12/2009) The fight against crime in Panola County will continue under new leadership at the County Sheriff's Department.
The County's Board of Supervisors made their choice Monday to replace the late Sheriff "Shot" Bright who died last month.
After weeks of discussion and a lot of movement behind the scenes by a lot of people, Supervisors voted 3 to 2, to elevate the acting Sheriff and former Chief Deputy to a one year appointment to the job.
Otis Griffin has helped run the Panola County Sheriff's Department for the last few years, as Sheriff "Shot" Bright's Chief Deputy.
With his one year appointment to the late Sheriff's job by Supervisors Monday morning, he vows business as usual in fighting crime here. "There will be no changes. Shot Bright had a vision that he and I shared and he and I talked about. Those things are gonna stay," explained Griffin.
His selection seemed controversial to some. He's the County's first African-American Sheriff, and Griffin says it's his goal to serve all the people here, and prove that skin color makes no difference to the law. "We have one common goal and that's that we must be our brother's keeper and we must look after one another," he said of what he described as a heavy "dual burden" of his appointment.
Griffin says he plans to work hard to change the minds of those who didn't consider him their first choice.
This was apparently not an easy decision by the Board of Supervisors. At one point there was a move to require the appointee to promise not to run for the job in next year's election. Others wanted to pass a measure require all county employees to take leave of absence to run for office.
The first idea proved unfeasible, the second, illegal under Mississippi law.
With those issues decided, Supervisors say it came down to choosing the best person.
"We interviewed or talked to several candidates for the job and had several candidates out there, but when it came down to the choosin' Otis Griffin was the best person for the job," said Board President Gary Thompson who believes the County can now close this painful chapter in its history which began with Bright's sudden suicide.
"Within the next week we'll get back in the routine. Otis will have the department running and will be in fine shape." said Thompson.
Griffin says with the board's support, he'll keep the momentum going that Sheriff Bright started. "I'm gonna go what I feel like is right for the County and good for the citizens of this County." he said.
Will Griffin run for a four year term in next year's election? He says it's too early to tell, and depends on how things turn out in the year ahead.
Meantime, he says his job is clear, set a good example and fight crime anywhere and everywhere in Panola County.
- Board Interviews Candidates After Death of Hugh "Shot" Bright
- Board Divided on Choices
- Chief Deputy Chosen for One Year Interim Term
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(Batesville, MS 10/12/2009) The fight against crime in Panola County will continue under new leadership at the County Sheriff's Department.
The County's Board of Supervisors made their choice Monday to replace the late Sheriff "Shot" Bright who died last month.
After weeks of discussion and a lot of movement behind the scenes by a lot of people, Supervisors voted 3 to 2, to elevate the acting Sheriff and former Chief Deputy to a one year appointment to the job.
Otis Griffin has helped run the Panola County Sheriff's Department for the last few years, as Sheriff "Shot" Bright's Chief Deputy.
With his one year appointment to the late Sheriff's job by Supervisors Monday morning, he vows business as usual in fighting crime here. "There will be no changes. Shot Bright had a vision that he and I shared and he and I talked about. Those things are gonna stay," explained Griffin.
His selection seemed controversial to some. He's the County's first African-American Sheriff, and Griffin says it's his goal to serve all the people here, and prove that skin color makes no difference to the law. "We have one common goal and that's that we must be our brother's keeper and we must look after one another," he said of what he described as a heavy "dual burden" of his appointment.
Griffin says he plans to work hard to change the minds of those who didn't consider him their first choice.
This was apparently not an easy decision by the Board of Supervisors. At one point there was a move to require the appointee to promise not to run for the job in next year's election. Others wanted to pass a measure require all county employees to take leave of absence to run for office.
The first idea proved unfeasible, the second, illegal under Mississippi law.
With those issues decided, Supervisors say it came down to choosing the best person.
"We interviewed or talked to several candidates for the job and had several candidates out there, but when it came down to the choosin' Otis Griffin was the best person for the job," said Board President Gary Thompson who believes the County can now close this painful chapter in its history which began with Bright's sudden suicide.
"Within the next week we'll get back in the routine. Otis will have the department running and will be in fine shape." said Thompson.
Griffin says with the board's support, he'll keep the momentum going that Sheriff Bright started. "I'm gonna go what I feel like is right for the County and good for the citizens of this County." he said.
Will Griffin run for a four year term in next year's election? He says it's too early to tell, and depends on how things turn out in the year ahead.
Meantime, he says his job is clear, set a good example and fight crime anywhere and everywhere in Panola County.
