The Andalusia Star-News

Posted on December 2 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have lived in and around Florala more than 50 years. I have known or met most of the Police Officers that have been on the Florala Police Department since the early 1970’s. There have been a few bad officers but the majority of the officers have been good people, trying to make a difference by doing a job that pays very little. I have known Sonny Bedsole for many years; he has been a capable officer and good caring person. I have known Anthony Clark since he began campaigning for sheriff; he seems to be a good Christian man with a passive personality. I have known Chris Jackson for many years; he is a capable officer and is doing a good job as Acting-Chief. I have met Tim Hardage a few times but I don’t know enough about him or the other applicants to give an informed opinion about their capabilities.
I do believe that Chris Jackson or Sonny Bedsole would make a good Chief of Police for Florala. They are both very polite, courteous, and professional in their action.
I do believe that Mayor Williamson and the new Council of Florala will have the insight to see through the smoke, exaggerations, gossip, and rumors that are being spread on the street and in the press. I do believe that there have been improvement in the Florala Police Department and with the help of the new officials there will continue to be improvement in the police department and all other city departments.
Thru the years I have found that the people who complain the most or the loudest are usually the people with the least valid complaints. I travel back and forth thru Florala on a regular base and never even think about the police, however I do have a valid drivers license, I don’t drive under the influence, I don’t carry contraband in my vehicle, and I try to obey the speed limit.
I am grateful to people like Chris Jackson, Sonny Bedsole, and all of the other good officers who have served and are serving as Police Officers.

On 9 have applied for FPD chief