| Fort Bend County Sheriff Milton Wright says he has managed the expansion of his office through a tumultuous growth period, but despite numerous challenges the county remains one of the safest in Texas.
Challenger Billy Frank Teague, a lieutenant with Richmond Police Department, says “mismanaged” is a better word.
The two law enforcement officers squared off in a debate Tuesday night at a Katy Area Republicans meeting at Cinco Ranch Library.
Wright said when he became sheriff, there were no computers, audio/video devices or GPS systems in deputies' vehicles, but there are now. He also said his department has grown from 240 employees to 600 during his tenure.
In addition, he pointed out, the department was one of the first in the state to use the VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system that notifies victims when subjects are released from jail or prison, and will be the first to extend that program to include temporary restraining orders.
“There are a lot more things that we're doing to bring our agency to the forefront with technology,” Wright said. “As a result of all this, you now live in one of the safest counties in Texas. Some people say it's luck, some say it's fate; I'll let you be the judge.”
Teague, a self-described “fiscal conservative,” said county leaders shouldn't have been forced to double the size of the county jail. “We're under the gun not because of overcrowding,” said Teague, “but because of mismanagement.”
The jail is overcrowded because it houses state prisoners in addition to county inmates, Teague told the audience. “Why do I want to take on someone else's problems until we can solve our own?”
Teague called the practice of sending county inmates to other facilities in order to ease overcrowding here “craziness.”
The debate was lively throughout the session. Following are some of the questions and answers:
What role should the chief deputy play in the sheriff's office administration?
Teague said the chief deputy is “basically the No. 2 man” who oversees the day-to-day operations of the facility under the direction of the sheriff. Teague said he will have a “second in command,” but is not certain he'll have a chief deputy.
Wright said he would “continue the role as it is now,” with the chief deputy in charge in his absence.
Should sheriff's candidates knowingly accept contributions from known felons?
Wright called the question an “obvious plant” and “a hit below the belt,” admitting he accepted such a contribution without realizing it. He said the donor has been a “respected businessman” in the community for 15 years.
“I don't believe being convicted of a felony is a life sentence,” Wright said.
Teague said he would not have accepted such a contribution and would return the money if he found out he had done so.
Has either candidate ever had a default judgment or IRS tax lien on their home?
Wright answered simply, “No,” but Teague said he has “fought the IRS for the past three years, and I will continue to fight them when I think I'm right.”
“I'm neither embarrassed nor ashamed about this,” he said, explaining the IRS has “drastically” reduced the amount he owes - which he said proves he was right.
In closing, Teague said his experience is “heads above” his opponent's, and he will use that experience to move the sheriff's office into the 21st century.
“I will not turn my back on anyone,” he promised. “I will work with all of the agencies in the county for better public safety for all residents.”
Wright asked voters to look at his track record over the past 11 years, saying “We've gone from a sleepy little community ... to an agency that's top in just about everything in the state.”
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