Posted by shilohgirl (anonymous) on December 13, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If you don't personally know Sonny, he is one of the best, caring, understanding, down to earth people I have ever known. He is always there to help no matter if he is on duty or not. He will laugh with you or cry with you. He has a heart that is unbeliveable. Sonny is what Florala needs and has needed for many years. He is fair and honest with everyone. You can be his best friend or not and when it comes to the law he will stand up for what is right no matter who you are. People and the mayor and council really need to put Sonny in as Florala's cheif if they want to see the Police Department run honest and fair.

Posted by mzbzbody (anonymous) on December 13, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You know, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. And this time it's worth a million. I have had an opportunity to encounter both Chris Jackson and Sonny Bedsole. The encounter with the last of the two was NOT a good one. I recall how UGLY Mr. Bedsole and his group of "co diners" acted towards me and a few friends while we dined at the Country Buffet a few months ago. We were in a large group of mixed races. We all are professional and respectful ladies, however, Mr. Bedsole and his group gave us the look of disapprovement while we dined and fellowhip with one another. As my group was leaving, I inavertly made eye to eye contact with a gentleman that sat close to the end of the table. The look from his eyes could have pulled my heart out. I will NEVER forget that look I felt that evening. I have always wondered if the men were visiting Florala as I and my friends were, or if he was a resident. I have my answer today. The man not only reside there, he may just be the next Chief of Police. How scary is that for Florala? Covington County?

I also encounter Mr. Jackson. During the Capt. Anderson's administration, I was pulled over for a regular check point and Mr. Jackson discovered my license were expired. I was asked to pull over and wait. He and Capt. Andrson came over to my vehicle and engaged in a very pleasent conversation concerning Andalusia. The conversation was helpful. Not only did I NOT receive a ticket, I regained new respect from Florala. After the case where the man was killed on the road by officers, I was terrified to be stopped out there so close to dark, but all my worries and uncertainties were dismissed with the calm and pleasent encounter of Mr. Jackson. I never thanked you for that Chris Jackson.

Posted by concerned62 (anonymous) on December 13, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who deserves a break? On 12-12-08, the Florala police was called to a mother to be and mother of a small child 5 or 6 months, the father was already band from being at the home, he was drinking and trying to fight with the mother. The father had already kicked the door in. Chief Jackson came to the call, where he let a friend carry the father to the police station for a citation, while Jackson did try to fix the door, and left. The father was told if he came back that he would go to jail. What do you have to do to get protection? The father was let go within 30 min he had returned to the mothers home hitting her and driving away. (Keep in mind that this man has been drinking). After a few hours the father returned to the mothers home, kicking in the door and beating the mother, and hitting the baby on the head. The mother and baby was then transported by ems to the hospital. The police was then on the hunt for the father. Any one that has been through the same thing in the same town about 20 years ago, back then the father was giving a break, and the mother and child was almost killed. I really believe that we need a chief that knows the law and stands up for it. Abuse is a very bad thing, but goes on each day and most of the time a blind eye is shown, until a life is taken. I do pray that the mother, unborn child and the small baby will be ok, and not over looked because of a break.

Posted by admin23 (anonymous) on December 14, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good luck Sonny, from the looks of all the ignorance on this page and the ones who think because you can hold your eyes open during a camera flash you're being favored you're going to need it.
The last thing we need is another comment on race. Who cares? This article is about who is the best for the job. The City of Florala as a whole. Not a certain area or one race. Get over the race issue and move on. Find out how each canidate plans to benefit all city residents. Let's see how th meet & greet goes today...and by the way mzbzbody, if you sure were staring hard to remember Sonny, but you must have missed the others at his table. I'm pretty confident that there were people of other 'races' at his table as well. So get your information right before putting some bs to stire contraversy. If you are a Chris Jackson fan, good for you but don't make up stories about another candidate that you know is untrue to make another one look good.

Posted by mzbzbody (anonymous) on December 14, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually, admin23, I do recall the others present at that table. As a matter of fact dear, a former co-worker was present. He also had the same look as Sonny. We have documentation of his racial prejudice. So, you get that straight. I am from Andalusia and it should not matter either way who they appoint, but it does. All the Cities in Covington County reflects on each other. One bad official can and will paint a bias opinion towards Covington County as a whole. I am not accusing Sonny of being prejudice, I just think he is from the old school and think races should stay divided. That attiude is unacceptable in the new world. And I am not a Chris Jackson fan, he may be a butt just like the rest, but I appreciate the way I was treated, thats all I am saying. SO all I can do is PRAY for Florala as well as Covington County. God Bless You to Admin23

Posted by lee (anonymous) on December 14, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sonny , I hope you get the job and clean Florala up. We need you. Sonny you got my vote for chief.

Posted by concerned62 (anonymous) on December 14, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For those that read what I wrote, I do know first hand, it was not hear say. I was telling this because, the police (who ever goes to the call) need to check into the people involved. If someone has to treat their loved one like this, they should not be aloud to be around them. The baby or the unborn one did nothing to get abused.
I think that the three picks for chief are all good ones. They all need to enforce to their workers that abuse is not to be taken with a grain of salt. It should be stopped.

Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on December 14, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I personally talked with the person in question who was the victim of the abuse as was her 5 month old baby. I saw her in a local grocery store Saturday, she looked awful. I questioned her what happened, and she relayed the story to me. I personally know her and the father of the baby, and he needs to be locked up...this is NOT the first time he has beat this girl, nor will it be the last if he continues to be slapped on the hand....Brody needs to be locked up! He took it too far when he struck his girlfriend, now his 5 month old baby girl!! If I see him, I will personally run his butt down! This is totally ridiculous...he was arrested, turned loose, went back, kicked her door in, and then came back and beat her! Come on...this is why Florala has such a bad rap....Jackson is NOT the way to go!

Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on December 14, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Concerned62, Yes, I totally agree with you...I did speak with the girl, and she informed me that he punched her with his fist in the face over and over, her lip was all swollen, busted, bleeding and bruised, one of her top front teeth was loosened to the point she will probably lose it, and she informed me she was 2 1/2 months pregnant again by this monster, and that during his rampage on her, yes he was drunk, but that's NO EXCUSE, he managed to strike the innocent 5 month old baby, leaving a bruise on the side of her head....and he GOT LET GO....GET REAL PEOPLE!!!!!! Sonny Bedsole IS NOT PREJUDICE, that's the Inabinett's father and son duo....get it straight...I grew up with Sonny, played with him when I was small, have known him basically ALL MY LIFE. I believe he is fair, or he wouldn't be in the position he is in now.....he will talk to you whenever you need his advice, on or off the job...and the person who saw him in Country Folks....???? Seems to me maybe you are the racial one, and besides, that has no bearing here! Jesus, why does it ALWAYS have to be a racist issue....soTIRED of that crap....get over yourselves....we are what we are, it's not going to change the world.....you were born white, black, red, yellow, green, purple...who gives a S~~~! Right is right and WRONG is WRONG!

Posted by rabbit2300 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 1:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

so my question is will the new chief be a puppet for the council or will they do the job and get moral back up. the officers need vehicles that will not break down and benefits. There pay is one of the lowest in the area but there calls and arrest are still high. And will this chief and mayor allow for the former city employee that miss used the credit card and funds to be prosecuted or call it well enough as the last mayor did. Also i want to know what are the citys plans after they find a chief as they have not had anything to do but look for one for so long do they know how to run the city. hope when they get a new city clerk they dont let this one do as they want with the peoples money.

Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Whatever BamaDude...you are the one who brought up the racist issue, not me....so, you need to get your freakin story straight. I DID TALK WITH THE ONE PERSON INVOLVED IN THE BATTERING ISSUE....it's a disgrace that he was allowed to leave only later to return and beat her up and strike his child, a baby!!!! Get over yourself! I wasn't there, nor were you. I personally know both parties, and it's not SLANDER as you stated when I'm stating the truth. Whomever ends up as the next Police Chief of Florala, sadly to say, has an enormous job to do to straighten this sad little city out. I, like everyone else, want someone who can and will do the job at hand in a professional manner and not be influenced by folks that "wanna help"....I am extremely upset with the past administrations in this city, and I am a victim of the underhanded dealings that have been practiced here. I do not intend to argue with anyone on this forum, it's only my opinion and the facts that I state that I feel are true. Yall have a Great Christmas!

Posted by Conin1 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am back because someone does not have their facts straight.....again!

Sonny Bedsole has no "storied past" when it comes to race. I have known Sonny for about 15 years and worked with him myself for about 10 of those.

Sonny doesn't care what color your skin is. If you break the law, he will lock you up. As a matter of fact Sonny hired one of the first full-time black CCSO Deputies (Phillip Staley) when Sonny was the Chief Deputy under former Sheriff Wilbur Mitchell.

Sonny also worked under a black supervisor at the ABC Board (Lt. Lance Price). Sonny maintains that friendship even after his retirement.

Let's get our facts straight.

Good luck Sonny. We are all still behind you.

Posted by Tankdude (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Connin 1 is correct. It does not matter to Sonny if you are white/black/yellow/red or any color. If you break the law HE WILL ARREST YOU!! Family - friend - or foe, doesn't matter. Tim is also the same way. Either of these gentlemen would be a great asset to Florala.

Good luck to the finalist!

Posted by bigballer2008 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PEOPLE ARE JUST SCARED THAT THEY WONT BE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING ALL THESE YEARS IF SONNY GETS IT. SONNY IS THE MAN FOR THE JOB.

Posted by beckyjackson (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I JUST WANT TO SAY GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE CANDIDATES!! I BELIEVE THEY ALL WILL DO A GOOD JOB!!! IT IS NOT THIER FAULTS WHEN THINGS HAPPEN TO PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY LIKE THE INCIDENT YOU ALL ARE SPEAKING OF THEY DID THIER JOB BY THE LAW. IF YOU LET THINGS HAPPEN TO YOU THEY ARE GOING TO HAPPEN SO DONT PUT YOURSELF IN A BAD RELATIONSHIP AND IF YOU CANT GET OUT OF IT THIER ARE PLACES THAT WILL HELP YOU THE POLICE CANNOT PROTECT YOU ALL THE TIME CAUSE YOU WANT TO STAY WITH YOUR ABUSIVE HUSBAND.. MAYBE IF YOU WILL FILE CHARGES OR SOMETHING, BUT THEY CANT DO ANYTHING WHEN YOU DONT WANT TO PRESS CHARGES AND HE RUNS OUT OF STATE EVERY TIME HE BEATS HER UP! SO DONT JUDGE THE POLICE FOR SOMEBODY ELSES FAULTS!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Posted by ARCH50 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ok here we go again, just once i would like to see everyone have a serious conversation without the trump card used............................................yes race. it would make no difference if he was white or black here comes the race words. i know sonny and he is a fair man as is the other two also. if your a cop you automatically have the bullseye right on you. i tell you what try there shoes for one year and get back to me. bet you change your mind. instead of what you can't prove or you think, how about their record and job performance (which is documented) for a possible commentary on this site. guess that would be to realistic. i mean if they are going to be the police chief would this not be important instead of the crap written above this comment.

Posted by admin23 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mzbzbody, dear, I'm unsure as to whom you are speaking that has proven racial prejudices that have been proven, in the past. I'm quite sure you could be talking of a father and son that are both from Florala, who both, are excellent law enforcement officers and have gotten a "bad" rap for doing their jobs. But if not, I'd love to know who you are talking about because if they are prejudice, you're correct in saying they deserve no place in law enforcement much less a job as a chief. However, I feel that you do not know, much less care, sweetie. If you know Mr. Bedsole, or had ever ran across Mr. Bedsole you would know he is a fine gentleman, black, white, red, purple, blue, or yellow.

Posted by mzbzbody (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

blah, blah,blah, My words has been taken and turned into something I did not mean to happen. But you know, I have often heard "so as a man thinkith, so is he". or something to that fact. Those that think I was using a trump card, must have a poker face right now. I think you only thought that because thats whats in your heart. And yes, I do care who gets the office. I frequent Florala and I think it is a pretty nice little town, and I would LOVE for it to remain that way. The new chief is really going to have his work cut out for him, and with the negative repertation that the town has, the bias treatment (NOT JUST RACIAL) will cause problems with all citizens of Covington county. Really, I wish Chief Williams, former ADP, would have applied.

Posted by hdsd (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I as well agree with Conin 1, fact is we must only look at those speaking and not looking at everything or everyone involved. The lack of knowledge and wanting to point the finger. Let's all come together as one, and support who ever gets it. But to send the wrong message to those that see it, thinks bad enough about this problem. Don't allow the negative to take the positive and ruin the opportunity that Florala will have for good leadership, and morals that is needed. All that made the final are good canidates,but again only one has the experiance and meets all of the guidelines that has been set by the council/mayor. Let him get the job done, and not be hindered by all the anger or misguidance of the community and those on this blog. Good luck and thanks to those that put their names in the hat. Sonny is qualfied, as well motivated to make the change that is needed within Florala and the county. He is not against anyone, but as most know, we all, have done things that we are not proud of, he may have as well. But again he I assure you is there for the community and will do the job as directed. To Serve and Protect all , and not just allow crime to be committed.

Posted by sayitaintso (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gosh...florala your not electing a president!

Posted by Preacher (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hdsd. Well, aren't we high up on our little pedestal? Are you saying that someone just "let crimes occur"? Everyone see's and hear's everyday about crime of all degrees. Is everyone, citizens and police, just letting it happen? Everyone gets the fact that you are a Bedsole fan. You can stop taking little stabs at people in order to build him up. There is not a single person around that doubts for a second that he will be the Chief. How is it that he is going to fix the entire county law enforcement problems and stop crime? What are you getting out of it? A part-time job, maybe. I will not talk bad about Sonny or anyone. Not because I'm intimidated by him or anyone. He knows me. He knows this. But, people like you that want everyone to think you got an inside "scoop" and know the facts does nothing but cloud the truth with inuendos and little stabs. If you got a problem you would like to discuss like a man with me, just let me know. I would love to know what you're basing your facts on. Sonny will have no more money to operate on than the last administration had and will feel the effects as they did. If he does as you say and arrest the bad guys, then he, too, will have the same group of fans that will get on blogs like this and do just as you do. Actually, when everything doesn't go as you think it should, you will be back here doing your thing. Everything will go good for awhile. But, shortly, internal power struggles within the council will spill over into the Police Dept. and everything will go downhill. But knowing Sonny Bedsole as I do, I can say that he won't put up with it, either.

Posted by Preacher (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hdsd, you were in a position to "change" things at one time, were you not? What happened with you? I believe there are documents showing which way you went. Really, get off your pedestal and stop blaming the wrong people for your shortcomings. Be positive. Everyone, just be positive. Negativity breeds negativity.

Posted by tigergirl (anonymous) on January 16, 2009 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CHIEF WILLIAMS STILL WOULD NOT BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR OUR TOWN. FOR SOME REASON THIS TOWN THANKS IT IS WASHINGTON DC AND SHOULD HAVE EVERYTHING JUST THE WAY THEY WANT IT.