My Priorities for Claiborne County
New Leadership. New Energy. A Safer Claiborne County.
I believe the Sheriff's Office should be visible, accessible, and connected to the people it serves. From day one, my focus will be on stronger public safety, greater transparency, better community engagement, and rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the citizens of Claiborne County.
Putting Our Foot Down on Drugs & Theft
Addiction and drug crime have touched too many families in Claiborne County. While those struggling with addiction need a path toward help and recovery, the dealers and traffickers who profit from destroying lives must be held accountable.
As Sheriff, my first priority will be a proactive, investigative approach to targeting drug dealers, traffickers, and the theft and crime that often follow. Our schools, neighborhoods, businesses, and families deserve a Sheriff's Office that is visible, engaged, and serious about public safety.
Transparency & Accountability
Public trust is earned through honesty, accountability, and professionalism. The people of Claiborne County deserve a Sheriff's Office that communicates clearly, operates with integrity, and is accountable to the citizens it serves.
I will bring fresh, independent leadership with no ties to any past or current administration. From the Sheriff on down, integrity, professionalism, and accountability will be the standard. That also means working toward better public information, clearer communication, and responsible transparency about how taxpayer dollars are used.
Deputies Back on the Backroads
Claiborne County is a rural county with communities, back roads, farms, schools, churches, and neighborhoods spread across a wide area. Too many citizens feel forgotten or disconnected from the Sheriff's Office.
I will work to get deputies more visible and engaged in the communities they serve. That means listening to residents, being present in rural areas, strengthening communication, and building toward an active community-relations effort that welcomes input from citizens, schools, churches, businesses, and local organizations.
Stronger Trust Between Law Enforcement & Citizens
After years serving as a Game Warden and working face-to-face with neighbors, landowners, hunters, anglers, families, and young people across this county, I have learned that public safety works best when law enforcement and the community trust one another.
That trust starts inside the department. Deputies, corrections officers, dispatchers, and staff must feel valued, supported, and heard while also being held to a high standard. When the community and law enforcement work together, share information, and respect one another, Claiborne County becomes safer for everyone.
School Safety & Youth Protection
Our children deserve to feel safe at school, and parents deserve confidence that school safety is being taken seriously. As Sheriff, I will work closely with school leaders, SROs, parents, and first responders to strengthen communication, improve preparedness, and support a visible law enforcement presence where it matters most.
School safety is not just about responding when something happens. It is about prevention, relationships, planning, training, and making sure concerns are heard before they become tragedies.
Recruitment, Retention & Changing the Culture
A strong Sheriff's Office starts with the men and women who serve inside it. I believe recruitment and retention begin with leadership, morale, accountability, and culture. Employees should know they are supported, valued, and held to a professional standard.
As Sheriff, I will work to build a culture where communication is open, good ideas are welcomed, training is encouraged, accountability is fair, and employees are proud to come to work and serve the people of Claiborne County. Changing the culture means moving away from the same old way of doing things and building a department focused on professionalism, teamwork, and service.
These six priorities are where I will begin — not where I will stop.
The job of Sheriff reaches far beyond any one list. From school safety and courtroom security to jail operations, rural patrols, community events, and the calls that never make the news, I will work to serve every part of Claiborne County with honesty, accountability, and common sense.
Is something missing? Share what matters to youFrequently Asked Questions
What will Michael focus on first as Sheriff?
Michael's first focus will be strengthening public safety, supporting deputies and corrections officers, improving communication, and bringing fresh, independent leadership to the Sheriff's Office.
His priorities include addressing drugs and theft, getting deputies back on the backroads, strengthening school safety, improving transparency, changing the culture inside the department, and building stronger trust with the citizens of Claiborne County.
How will Michael address drugs and theft?
Michael believes Claiborne County needs a proactive approach to drug dealers, traffickers, theft, and repeat offenders. That means focusing on the people bringing drugs into our communities, working with other agencies when it helps get results, and protecting families, homes, farms, churches, schools, and businesses from the crime that follows drugs.
What does "deputies back on the backroads" mean?
It means every part of Claiborne County matters — not just the busiest roads or most populated areas. Michael understands our rural communities, farms, neighborhoods, and backroads because he has spent years serving people face-to-face across this county.
As Sheriff, he will work toward a stronger visible presence in rural areas and better communication with the people who live there.
How will Michael strengthen school safety?
Michael believes school safety must be taken seriously every day. As Sheriff, he will work with school leaders, SROs, parents, teachers, and first responders to strengthen communication, preparedness, training, and prevention.
Protecting students is not only about responding when something happens. It is about planning ahead, listening to concerns, and building strong relationships before problems arise.
What does Michael mean by "changing the culture"?
Changing the culture means building a Sheriff's Office where professionalism is expected, communication is open, employees are supported, accountability is fair, and good ideas are welcomed.
Michael believes leadership sets the tone. Deputies, corrections officers, staff, and citizens should know they are heard, respected, and treated with honesty.
How will Michael improve recruitment and retention?
Recruitment and retention start with leadership, morale, training, and workplace culture. Michael will work to build a department where good employees want to stay, new applicants see opportunity, and the men and women serving Claiborne County know they have leadership that supports them, listens to them, and holds everyone to a professional standard.
How will Michael improve transparency and accountability?
Michael believes the Sheriff's Office belongs to the people of Claiborne County. Transparency means better public communication, responsible use of taxpayer dollars, clear leadership, proper checks and balances, and making important information easier for citizens to access.
Citizens should not have to wonder who to contact, where to go, or how their Sheriff's Office is serving them.
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I Would Be Honored to Earn Your Vote
I do not claim to have all the answers, but I promise this: I will listen, I will work hard, and I will serve the people of Claiborne County with honesty, accountability, and integrity every single day.