Two of the three candidates for sheriff of Buncombe County held their first debate over the issues and fielded questions during an early-morning meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners on Sept. 7 at UNC Asheville’s Sherrill Center.

An unusually large turnout of about 75 CIBO members, guests and the general public attended the almost one-hour session that featured candidates Shad Higgins, a Republican who is a tire salesman; and Quentin Miller, a Democrat who just retired after working 24 years with the Asheville Police Department.

A third sheriff’s candidate Tracey DeBruhl, who is running as a Libertarian, did not appear. Instead, he was arrested the previous day by Madison County Sheriff’s deputies on charges of misdemeanor stalking (of) and second-degree trespass” in connection with a Mars Hill woman.

 CIBO promotions of the debate never mentioned DeBruhl, a retired U.S. Marine, who is a business-owner and contractor — and a CIBO spokesman told the Daily Planet on Sept. 20 that DeBruhl was not invited to the debate because CIBO leaders did not consider him a bonafide candidate.

The choice for sheriff will be made in a Nov. 6 general election. The current sheriff, Van Duncan, a Democrat, previously announced that he is retiring when his term ends, and, therefore, not seeking re-election. Duncan has served as sheriff for 12 years.

The Higgins-Miller clash, the first of CIBO’s 2018 candidate debate series, was — for the most part — relatively tame, except when Higgins inferred that Miller was not qualified to serve as sheriff.

When each man was requested to ask to offer up a question of his opponent, Higgins first thanked “Mr. Miller for serving in the military — and as a police officer.”

Then, Higgins said that “Buncombe County cannot afford someone who” has the problems that he said Mr. Miller has.”

In an apparent allusion to former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene and a legal and financial fiasco with which she is embroiled, Higgins said, “We cannot afford another train wreck... when he (Miller) cannot take care of problems in his (own)  household.”

Given that the county sheriff’s office has a $39 million budget,“How is he (Miller) going to take care of it? There are judgments against him” on a personal level,” Higgins charged.

In response, Miller quietly acknowledged, “I’ve never handled a $39 million budget.”

Regarding Higgins’ allegations of his personal financial problems, Miller noted simply that “there is another Quentin Miller in Asheville,” and that it is the other man with the same name with the problems to which Higgins was alluding.

“Everyone needs to research that,” Miller emphasized.

Then, for his question to Higgins, Miller asked, “If I should win, we talked about community policing… Would you commit to bringing your contacts to the table” and be supportive of his administration?

“I’d always like to help any crime-fighting activity in Buncombe County — to make our place a safer place for our kids,” Higgins replied. “ I’d be glad to help anyone or any agency.”

After a pause, Miller asked, “So is that a ‘yes?’”

“Yes, that’s a ‘yes.’” Higgins said with a smile.

The debate mainly focused on emotionally charged and controversial issues with which local law enforcement agencies are grappling — immigration, school safety, training and the August 2017 police beating of a black pedestrian by a white Asheville police officer.

Neither candidate revealed any plans — during the debate — to radically change procedures in the sheriff’s office. Both men praised Duncan for his years of service and leadership

Each candidate was given three minutes to present opening statements. Then, about six preselected questions were asked of them by CIBO chief Buzzy Cannady. 

Any mention of one’s opponent in a response would allow the opponent 30 seconds for a rebuttal, Cannady noted, in citing the program’s rules.

At the end, the session was opened up to questions from those in attendance.

In his opening statement, Higgins said, “I’m dedicated to protecting our God-given rights as Americans… As well as protecting our 2nd Amendment rights.”

He noted that he has succesfully run a business for many years, as well as overseeing his family’s finances. 

“I will ethically enforce the laws that keep us safe,” Higgins said. A big issue, by his estimate, is employing School Resource Officers. “Guys, we’ve got to have SROs to protect our youths,” he told the CIBO gathering.

Higgins said it appears “we can protect our people (county employees) at the courthouse, but” there is some hesitancy on paying to have SROs to protect students in Buncombe public schools.

“Elementary schools is where we especialy need our SROs,” Higgins said, adding that the officers also “can serve as role models,” which are much-needed. “We’re very lucky not to have had an ‘issue’ (violent school incident) in Buncombe County.”

Next, Miller began his opening statement by noting, “I was born and raised here in Buncombe County... I played football at Asheville High... I’ve been married for the last 32 years.

“I’m here this morning to talk to you about Nov. 6 (Election Day)... Truly, this is an important decision — now more than ever. With the retirement of Sheriff Van Duncan,” there is the opportunity to make changes. “This is an opportunity,” especially regarding “how the local community and law enforcement work together into the 21st century.

“It can include the opioid crisis, a more heightened level of transparency” — or other issues. Under his administration, Miller said that an emphasis would be put on making “changes in the mindset — from law enforcement being warriors to being guardians....

“Again, on Nov. 6, a vote for me is a vote for community improvement,” Miller said.

Cannaday then asked the first of the six or so prepared questions: “What major changes would be made at the sheriff’s office by the candidate on his first day in office?”

On his first days as sheriff, Miller replied, “I would definitely like to look at how the department works... I’d like to give each employee a chance to meet me. I wouldn’t make any drastic changes (right off). We’d want to have discussions and interviews. Then, we’d make changes.”

Higgins began his answer by extensively praising what he described as Duncan’s top-notch performance as sheriff.

Then, he said that, “right off, I’d make no big changes... I’d go in and talk to everyone first.... Everything that comes out of the sheriff’s situation should be positive. Everything would be positive going forward. I’d surround myself with the people that Van already has in place that are doing a good job for the community.”

The candidates then were asked to specify their positions on illegal immigration and whether they would participate with “ICE” in the enforcement of immigration laws in the county. (“ICE” is an antonym for the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  )

Both candidates said they would not enter into a 287g agreement with ICE, with Higgins citing his opposition to the jail costs, while Miller said he was concerned that immigrants are being given proper legal representation and are being detained, in some cases, indefinitely. Nonetheless, both said they would cooperate with ICE to the extent that the law required.

“Number one, my job as sheriff is to protect you,” Higgins replied. “We don’t have the authority to enforce immigration. But if another agency calls for our assistance, we will give them our assistance.... If we have someone who murdered or someone in a DUI, that’d be the first one I’d love to deport.”

However, Higgins also noted, “Buncombe County has so many bigger priorities than immigration.”

In response to the same question, Miller said, “I would not sign a 287-g agreement.” He reiterated that his administration “would support the efforts of federal agencies” in Buncombe. “I would do that because that’s what we have to do (as a county sheriff’s office) by statute.”

Continuing, Miller said he has the following three concerns about immigration:

• “We’re taking people into custody without representation.”

• “We taking people into custody with no knowledge of how long we will keep them. I dont’ think that’s right.”

• “Illegal immigration,” for which he said there is a protocol for handling the problem.

On another question about illegal immigration, Higgins said, “I think there are proper channels for everyone to become a legal citizen. Why is it fair for us to pay health care, to pay taxes” for someone who is staying in the United States illegally? 

He added, “As long as they are legal citizens,” he would do all he could to keep folks safe. “As a sheriff, I’d be protecting all citizens of Buncombe County.”

Another CIBO question queried, playfully: “Would you be changing the colors of the Sheriffs Department’s cars? Why or why not?”

The CIBO attendees erupted into laughter over the question — and both candidates smiled.

Higgins replied that “we have many things to take care of” — and the matter of changing the car colors would be a lower priority.

Miller added, “If we had money (to repaint the cars), I’d rather see us spend the money to increase the pay of our deputies” and other employees at the sheriff’s office.

Yet another question asked each of the candidates to “name two areas in your department that you’d perceive would increase and two areas that would decrease” under his administration.

Miller said two increases under his leadership would include revving up the “community policing” and increasing accountability and transparency in the sherriff’s office.” He specifically noted that he is highly supportive of Duncan’s current community policing efforts.

Miller said there is nothing he would cut back on in the sheriff’s office, adding that “where we’re falling down – we need to treat everyone and everything with respect and dignity.”

He also reiterated that an early emphasis in his administration would be “learning the process at the department.”

On the same question, Higgins said, “There’s nothing I’d like to take away from the department, but I’d like to increase our fight on drugs…. I agree on increasing accountability and transparency. I would like to increase our SROs. I think it’s huge these days that the Buncombe County (sheriff and sheriff’s deputies) get out in (more) community interaction, which is a top item on my priority” list.

Sheriff’s hopefuls field tough questions from crowd 

Buncombe County sheriff candidates Shad Higgins and Quentin Miller fielded questions from the audience during the last 20 minutes of the Sept. 7 meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners at UNC Asheville’s Sherill Center.

The open questioning followed a tightly formatted first half of the early-morning session that included opening statements by Shad Higgins, a Republican, and Quentin Miller, a Democrat, followed by six preselected questions by CIBO for the candidates.

In attendance were current Sheriff Van Duncan, who is stepping down when his term ends, and his hand-picked successor, Randy Smart, who was badly beaten by Miller in the Democratic primary.

An unidentified man began by asserting, “I’m tremendously concerned about the events at Chapel Hill. (His reference was to the toppling of the Confederate statue Silent Sam by protesters, who contended that the statue glorifies white supremacy. They used a rope to pull down the prominent, long-standing statue at UNC Chapel Hill. Conversely, backers of the statue said it merely represents the sacrifices made by young UNC students to fight for the South during the Civil War. The group that yanked down the statue reportedly was not held back by police, who stood by, simply observing the proceedings.)

What’s more, the man said he was concerned about revelations afterward “that the top law enforcement official instructed his officers not to enforce the law” during the incident at UNC.

The man then asked the two Buncombe sheriff’s candidates “what constitutional ability do they have to do that?”

Higgins responded, “That is a great question. I’d never instruct my officers to break the law.”

Miller added, “We would follow the law.”

Next, CIBO member Mac Swicegood prompted some laughter from the meeting’s attendees when he quipped, “I’m glad both of you are running because I think it’ll take both of you to fill Van’s shoes.”

More seriously, Swicegood asked, “With road construction” on Interstate 26 and other major routes around the county, which likely will tremendously impair the response time by sheriff’s deputies, “how will you respond” to the challenge?

Miller replied, “I haven’t given any thought to that, yet.

Conversely, Higgins answered, “Buncombe County is a huge area. I think what I would do is set up four districts and leave one officer in each district at all times. So that would be one officer, each —  in north, east, west and south” quadrants that he would have experts draw.

An unidentified African-American woman asked the candidates to address how they would address, as sheriff, “an incident differently from the Asheville Police Department?” Her reference apparently was to black pedestrian Johnny Rush, who was beaten by a white  APD officer in an incident that involved jaywalking. A video of the beating was leaded to the Asheville Citizen Times, which published it, drawing national media attention and sparking accusations of racism, especially from Asheville’s black community.

Specifically,  the woman asked “how you’d handle an ‘incident’ differently from the APD?”

Higgins replied, “First, I’d make sure no one leaked video.” Also, he said, “I’d put my people on it to investigate it” at once.

Higgins then emphasized that the entire video has not been released and, therefore, nobody should jump to any conclusions regarding the incident.

Miller answered, “Let me just say that I’d agree nobody actually knows, as nobody’s seen the whole footage.”

He added, “We’d investigate… If everything falls out the way it has thusfar, I’d contact the individual to which this has happened, I’d personally apologize to them. We (law enforcement officers) are accountable for our actions.”

An unidentified black man then said, “I have some serious concerns with what’s happening in Buncombe County, period, with African-American citizens. What would you do (differently) with people of other races” than the way things are being done now?

Miller replied, “This is near and dear to me. Not only because I’m Afircan-American, but for all people.” He then cited “the need for de-escalation training. We need to be more consistent with our training. I just want to challenge us as a community.… 

“How do we select officers?” Miller asked, rhetorically. “How do we move forward? Part of my answer is the community” needs to be involved much more than it is now.

To the same question, Higgins ansered, “It is all about everyone. But let’s make this clear, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office didn’t have this issue. The reason Van didn’t have this issue is because of training.”

Higgins then lamented that, with the spate of lawsuits against police officers nationwide — along with public criticism — over alleged police brutality or worse, “so many officers are out there — and they’re afraid to do their jobs.