SAN ANGELO, TX — In a turnabout of rhetoric, candidate for Tom Green County Sheriff Keith Muncey presented an olive branch to opponent J. Nick Hanna and his supporters following the dust-up of criticism of over Hanna being a retired DPS trooper and Texas Ranger who would double-dip retirement benefits if elected sheriff. See Long Knives Drawn Against Former Texas Ranger in Race for Tom Green County Sheriff.
The controversy started when San Angelo Airport Policeman Bruce Burkett, a Muncey supporter, wrote a 581-word essay in criticism of Hanna on Facebook, alleging Hanna would reap additional retirement benefits atop his existing State of Texas retirement benefits if he was elected sheriff.
“This election is about the tax payer…” Burkett began his post. He also took a shot at Hanna for being appointed Chief Deputy upon retirement from the Texas Rangers instead of seeing the current Sheriff David Jones promoting someone from within the organization. You can read Burkett’s post here.
Muncey distanced himself from the criticism of his opponent on Monday. “Neither Nick nor I can control what our supporters say about one another,” he said.
Muncey said there are negative rumors originating from both sides in what has become the most heated and contested political campaign of the March 3 primary. Early voting continues through Friday. Election Day is Tuesday.
“I have strong supporters and so does my opponent. I will continue to run a clean campaign and encourage my opponent and his supporters to do the same. I ask that supporters on both sides not engage in negative attacks and phone calls or make false statements,” he wrote in a press release.
Burkett posted Hanna’s response to his criticisms on his Facebook page. The next morning, Feb. 24, Burkett was again asking why the sheriff position is not chosen from within the ranks of the current department instead of electing outsiders, like Texas Rangers, to run the office.
“My slogan referencing being vested in the community for 40 years is not a dig on my opponent or his family. It is my slogan because I am proud of what I have accomplished in my life, where I am from and where I have made my home for 40 years. That just happens to be Tom Green County!” Muncey said in the press release. Muncey stated that he has worked for the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office for almost two decades.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Comments
As a reporter could you possibly obtain some answers to some very important questions from both candidates?
Why are all of the deputies in the Mental Health Unit, not certified?
1 . What are your plans for the 17 bed Mental Health Unit in the new jail?
2. Will there be a civilian board for oversight to ensure safety of those with mental health issues?
3. Will there be a professional team hired by the county to serve these inmates IE: Psychiatrist, psychologist and medical doctors.
4. Currently not every deputy in the Mental Health Unit carries the Mental Health Certification, will you require it?
5. Do you believe in diversion or incarceration for those who encounter law enforcement simply because they have a known mental health condition.
6. Should deputies bear the responsibility if they are injured in the line of duty because they failed to follow the protocols set forth for those with mental health issues.
In others words, the job description clearly states you are at risk for being verbally abused and possibly injured when working working with those with Serious Mental Illness. If lethal force is not used and deputies get a bruise or a bite mark, why should that person not in their right mind have to face felony charges?
7. Should deputies also be able to charged if they trip people while handcuffed and punch them in the face with closed fist?
8. What is the proper way to have a bite released?
- Log in or register to post comments
PermalinkPost a comment to this article here: