Tag Archive for: #curtisbrame

Drewry Volunteer Fire Dept

Brame, Drewry FD Team Up To Help Family In Need At Christmas

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame extends a big thank you to everyone who attended the Drewry Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Christmas gathering.

Brame was among those who enjoyed the fellowship and a meal. Before the event concluded, “I received a telephone call from our neighboring county seeking assistance with a family in distress,” Brame told WIZS News.

He got permission to share the information with those gathered.

“I relayed the message that I received from Officer Kenny Bullock, which he was attempting to assist a family of four with shelter for the night,” Brame explained.

And just like that, volunteer firefighters, guests and their families collected $370 to assist that family in need. It was enough to pay for two nights at a local hotel, as well as meals for the family of four and gas for their vehicle.

 

Membership In NC Sheriffs’ Association A Way To Show Support For Local Sheriff, Deputies

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame is inviting any interested resident to become a member of the N.C. Sheriffs’ Association.

In response to the number of people who want to help law enforcement agencies and create a stronger partnership to fight crime, Brame issued a statement Thursday to promote membership in the 501c(3) association.

Membership applications will be mailed out to join the voluntary program, which helps to fund technical support and training for sheriffs and deputies, legislative support on key criminal justice issues and support scholarships at colleges and universities in the state.

Individual memberships are $25 a year; businesses can join for an annual fee of $50.

New members will receive a thank-you letter, a membership  card, a bumper sticker, window decal, a 2024 stick-on calendar, member-only  discounts and a subscription to the association’s newsletter, The North Carolina Sheriff.  Businesses will receive the same materials, plus a wall plaque to display. Automobile tags and tag frames are available to members for an additional cost for each item ordered.

The association was founded in 1922 as a way for individuals to show their support for local law enforcement officers and to help sheriffs and deputies protect the lives and property of the citizens they serve.

 

Applications are available online at https://ncsheriffs.org/ or contact the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association at:

P.O. Box 20049

Raleigh, NC 27619-0049

 

Telephone: (919) SHERIFF (743-7433)

Sheriff Brame Attends NC Sheriffs’ Association’s Business Conference

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 Last week, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association hosted sheriffs, sheriffs’ personnel and their families from across the state for their Annual Business Conference. Vance County Sheriff Curtis R. Brame was in attendance. Commenting on their experience at the Annual Business Conference, Sheriff Curtis R. Brame said, “I always look forward to the opportunity to meet with fellow sheriffs at Association events. It is important for us to collaborate and always work to enhance the Office of Sheriff in North Carolina. The Annual Business Conference is just one of the many ways the Association allows us to do that.”

 The Annual Business Conference is an opportunity for sheriffs and sheriffs’ personnel to gather for networking, panel discussions, and training programs which cover a variety of topics related to law enforcement. Topics covered during this year’s Annual Business Conference included the sheriff’s role in school safety and active shooter response procedures, among others. Attendees also heard presentations from guest speakers and attended a number of meetings throughout the conference.

The Association also elects new Executive Committee officers each year at the conference. This year’s elections resulted in five sheriffs being elected to new offices:

∙ President – Sheriff Darren Campbell, Iredell County

 ∙ First Vice President – Sheriff Mike Roberson, Chatham County

 ∙ Second Vice President – Sheriff Ricky Buchanan, McDowell County

 ∙ Third Vice President – Sheriff Clee Atkinson, Edgecombe County

 ∙ Treasurer – Sheriff Van Shaw, Cabarrus County

 

 Outgoing President Charles Blackwood, Orange County, will transition into the role of Chairman of the Association’s Executive Committee and Sheriff Alan Jones, Caldwell County, was reelected to serve as Secretary.

 

 Newly-elected Association President Darren Campbell remarked, “The Annual Business Conference is always an excellent opportunity for sheriffs to get together to discuss important issues we are facing, network, and conduct Association business. I am excited for the opportunity to serve as the President of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association and hope to help enhance public safety in our communities while representing the sheriffs of North Carolina.”

TownTalk: Sheriff Curtis Brame Sworn In; Begins Second Term

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame officially began his second term of office today, after a swearing-in ceremony that took place at the Vance County Courthouse at 11 a.m. Monday.

The oath of office was administered in the presence of retired judge Randolph Baskerville.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow was one of the speakers during today’s swearing-in ceremony. He said he is proud of their close working relationship when it comes to protecting Vance County and Henderson and keeping residents safe.

In his remarks, Barrow said he picked up on a theme that Baskerville had mentioned in his remarks at the beginning of the ceremony: Character, the judge said, is doing the right thing when nobody is looking.

“I wanted to build off of what the judge had said,” Barrow told WIZS News by telephone Monday. So he added, “Character is doing the right thing when everybody is looking.”

He said that is what Brame does – he makes decisions that the public may not understand, but it’s “still…the right choice, even though it might not be the popular choice.”

“Sometimes we can’t tell the public why we make the decisions we make,” Barrow said.

In previous interviews with WIZS News, Brame has said his office needs more funding to try to fill job openings, and he has been vocal about the need for a new jail. He also has strongly stated to the community that parents need to play a role in the lives of youth in the area, and helping to keep them out of trouble and off the radar of law enforcement.

 

 

Tune In Monday At 11 AM For Interviews With Vance Sheriff Candidates

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Tune in to WIZS Monday morning for special programming that will feature the two candidates vying for the office of Vance County Sheriff in the upcoming Nov. 8 elections.

Interviews with Incumbent Curtis Brame and challenger Patrick Bailey will be aired beginning at 11 a.m., the regular TownTalk slot.

The candidates will be interviewed separately and then the recorded 23-minute segments will air.

Both candidates have appeared on previous TownTalk segments as part of the station’s commitment to continuing election coverage. Bailey has worked with the Henderson Police Department and said as sheriff he would work to address the drug issue in the community and make sure that deputies receive additional training to combat the problem.

He also has said the county jail is antiquated and outdated and needs attention, a point that Sheriff Brame agrees with.

Brame is seeking a second term as sheriff and said, in addition to the conditions at the county jail, priorities include the opioid epidemic and gun violence. But he also has advocated for better pay to attract and retain employees, who often leave for higher-paying jobs in nearby counties.

Early voting beings Oct. 20.

Curtis Brame Sworn In as Sheriff of Vance County

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(Audio of the entire swearing in ceremony, except the portion for deputies and other staff, can be heard by clicking here.  Sheriff Brame’s first remarks as Sheriff of Vance County are at the end.)

(Video of Sheriff Brame being sworn in and outgoing Sheriff White’s final remarks can be seen at facebook.com/wizsradio and by clicking here.)

Earlier today at the Vance County Courthouse, in a Superior Court Room filled with family, staff and community members, Curtis R. Brame was sworn in as Vance County’s newest sheriff.

Brame, who began his law enforcement career in 1983 as a Vance County deputy sheriff, has worked with three long-serving administrators, including Tommy McGhee, Thomas Breedlove and Peter White.

After a “long” campaign that saw him face-off in May’s primary against two fellow democratic candidates before facing Republican Charles Pulley and unaffiliated candidate Allen Simmons in November’s General Election, Brame was more than happy to celebrate his victory. “It’s been a journey,” said Brame. “This is a day to rejoice and we shall be glad.”

In a ceremony presided over by the Honorable J. Henry Banks, attendees were welcomed by Captain Weldon Bullock and received the Invocation from the Rev. Joann Kittrell.

Remarks were made by Attorney Paul Jerry Stainback, Rev. Dr. Walter Melvin Brame, Rev. Audrey Davis, Brame’s sister and Patrice Brame, Brame’s wife.

Clerk of Superior Court Henry Lee Gupton administered the public oath of office to Brame. Upon completion, Brame was congratulated by Gupton and received a standing ovation from those in attendance.

In addition, an oath was administered to deputies, detention officers and the civilian staff of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

In his first official remarks as sheriff, Brame expressed his gratitude for the leadership of Sheriff Peter White and his pastor, Opie Terrell of Nutbush Baptist Church. He specifically thanked White and wife Gloria for their encouragement and support during his campaign.

Brame also addressed the need for unity and communication in the community and promised that he and his staff would have an open-door policy on listening to the concerns of citizens. “Let’s take back our community so our schools can be safe, neighborhoods can be safe and churches can be safe,” Brame said.

Closing remarks were made by Sheriff White who praised Brame’s work ethic. “I’ve known this young man for a long time and I know his work ethic is second to none,” White said. “This guy is work, but most of all, he has a heart for people. I believe his work ethic and his faith brought him to this position.”

“Vance County could not have done any better.”

Following White’s remarks, a benediction was led by Pastor Terrell. A reception followed in the courthouse’s multipurpose room.

Q&A With New Vance Co. Sheriff Curtis Brame, Candidates Simmons & Allen

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With approximately 53 percent of the votes cast in a higher than usual voter turnout, Curtis Brame was elected the next sheriff of Vance County Tuesday evening.

Brame, a Democratic candidate who ran against Melissa Elliott and Billy Gooch in the May primary, faced Republican Charles Pulley and unaffiliated candidate Allen Simmons in the general election. Final poll results indicated Brame received 7,517 votes, Pulley received 3,810 votes and Allen Simmons received 2,905 votes.

Each candidate was interviewed live on WIZS following the announcement that Brame won the election. Excerpts from those interviews are transcribed below:

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Interview with CURTIS BRAME – 

How are you feeling right now?

CB: “I’m great and I’m so excited! I feel good! What a night!”

“I’m with my family at my celebration gathering at Tiffany’s on Garnett St. and will report to the [Institute of Government] Chapel Hill this Sunday.”

What are you going to do first once you’re sworn in?

CB: “I’ll be a new administrator, so my focus will be on both the Sheriff’s Department and the jail.”

What is the first thing you said to your family tonight?

CB: “Yes! To God be the glory, yes!”

Did it feel like a long campaign or did it move along swiftly?

CB: “Being a Democratic candidate, it was a long campaign. I started this process back in October 2017 in preparation for the primary in May. After the primary, I took a couple of weeks off and then was right back preparing for the general election. It was a busy and continuous campaign.”

What made you decide to run for Sheriff?

CB: “Throughout my career, I came to the decision that I’d one day like to be sheriff of Vance County. I always said I would never run for sheriff as long as I was working, and if I ran it would be from a retired position.”

“In October of 2017, Sheriff Peter White told me that he was ‘going home’ and that he and his wife would support me if I ran for sheriff. In giving it to God and talking with my wife and family, that’s when I made the decision to run.”

What is your message for people who voted for the other candidates?

CB: “Whatever differences we have as candidates, we need to put those aside and move forward together as a team. Whether you voted for me or not, I will serve each and every citizen of Vance County equally.”

Sheriff White was the first African-American elected sheriff of Vance County. You are now the second. Does that distinction matter to you?

CB: “Yes, it matters to me. I always took a lot of pride in being a deputy sheriff. The history of the department was previously Caucasian and male. I’m the second African-American elected sheriff and I do take pride in that.”

Are you concerned about those who criticize you for running from a retired position?

CB: “Throughout the history of the department, the only person who was allowed to stay in their position [if they ran] was the incumbent. To run, I either had to resign or be fired. So, I retired with the intentions of running.”

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Interview with ALLEN SIMMONS

What is up next for Allen Simmons?

AS: “Right now, I want to take some time off, spend time with my family and see what direction God is having me go in. I don’t want to make any rushed decisions on which direction I’m going to take right now.”

Is there a possibility of you working for the Vance County Sheriff’s Department or Henderson Police Department?

AS: “Whatever I can do for Vance County. This is my home and I want what’s best for my home. I want to see my home move in a direction that’s positive for this community.”

What did you enjoy most about the campaign?

AS: “The most amazing thing I received out of this is the ability to grow even more. It has taught me to persevere through the obstacles life throws at you. Having my family, wife and kids with me gave me strength.”

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Interview with CHARLES PULLEY

What is up next for Charles Pulley?

CP: “I first want to congratulate Curtis [Brame] for winning the election. It was a clean campaign. We need to support Curtis 100% in this county; there are a lot of things that need to be done.”

“I also appreciate the people who came out and voted for me.”

Will we see Charles Pulley again in future political races?

CP: “You never know what the future holds – I’ll just leave it at that.”

Candidates for Vance Co. Sheriff Discuss Their Plans & Qualifications

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The three candidates for Vance County Sheriff – Charles Pulley, Allen Simmons and Curtis Brame – were interviewed last week by WIZS’ John C. Rose. The prerecorded interviews were played on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk in a question and answer format. The order of the candidates was determined by random selection.

Each candidate was given ten minutes to answer both base questions and to participate in an open discussion. The highlights of their responses are included below. To listen to the interviews in their entirety, please click here.

Question: What has been the focus of your campaign?

 Charles Pulley –

I’ve been trying to talk to everybody that I can in Vance County by going door-to-door, running ads in the newspaper and talking on the radio. I’m trying to get the word out that we need change in Vance County.

We need to get the drug problem under control. It’s impossible to absolutely eliminate drugs in Vance County, but we can get a hold on these drugs. Heroin has a stronghold on Vance County right now. We need to address high-level drug dealers through federal investigations, state investigations, undercover operations and search warrants. We need to hit them at every level.

Allen Simmons  –

My focus is to reach the citizens of Vance County and to introduce myself so the people can truly know who Allen Simmons is, what Allen Simmons is about and what his thoughts and plans are as sheriff.

Citizens are seeking someone with answers to solve the drug problem, the violent crime problem and to address communication issues with the community.

Curtis Brame –

 Everyone knows we have a problem with drugs throughout our community – in the city limits and in the county. My focus is on doing some rapport-building among the citizens of Vance County, then we can close that gap in communication and more crimes would be reported to the Vance County Sherriff’s Office.

The sheriff and police departments do not have enough eyes and ears to combat the issues that are going on in Vance County. We need to get our community involved, get our churches involved.

 

Question: What can the sheriff do about the issues facing Vance County?

 Charles Pulley –

 The sheriff will coordinate the efforts of his duty unit, criminal investigation unit or patrol. A sheriff has to have experience in each one of these areas, and I do. I worked 30 years at the Henderson Police Department on the patrol, criminal investigation and narcotics division. I worked 10 years with the Interagency Drug Enforcement Unit.

Drug dealers know no boundaries between city and county. The ones in the county go to the city and the ones in the city go to the county. We have to collaborate to get ahold of these problems.

 In addition to drugs, we also have a violence problem in Vance County – shootings, homicides and breaking and entering. We need to get a task force back together with the City, County and the Interagency Drug Enforcement Unit.

Allen Simmons –

I would start by prioritizing the list of things that are most important to the things that are least important. I plan to break the county down into four sectors and begin to hit each sector at a time, with advance notice, so people can come out and speak with the sheriff. Then, I can begin to prioritize the needs that citizens in this county feel need to be dealt with.

As I travel the city and the county and speak to people, the most important issue is the drug problem. My goal is to begin to attack the drug problem by way of connecting with different agencies throughout our county and surrounding counties and to bring in assistance from the federal government to combat these problems. We need to begin to collaborate with other agencies because this drug problem is not centralized to just Vance County. A lot of the drugs in our county are filtered out to other counties.

My goal is to be able to work with the Henderson Police Department and Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow and to work with the federal government and state agencies to attack our problems.

I wouldn’t want to reveal a lot of information about how we are going to go about attacking it because I know there are people in the criminal element listening and I wouldn’t want to provide them with too much information.

Curtis Brame –

The first plan of action is being very proactive, getting more deputies out in our communities so they can address situations.

There is a higher concentration of drugs being sold in the city-limits than in the county. I will work with the Henderson Police Department and Chief Marcus Barrow in a team effort. We have to get the SBI involved and brainstorm this thing together because it’s bigger than being the sheriff of Vance County.

 

Question: What makes you uniquely qualified for the position?

 Charles Pulley –

I was employed with the Henderson Police Department for 30 years and was a commander with the Interagency Drug Enforcement Unit for 10 years. We worked hundreds of cases, including federal cases, and we were able to remove individuals from Vance County who were involved in high-level drug trafficking.

I have respect for both of the other candidates; they are fine guys. However, I have more experience, especially more experience in commanding a unit.

Allen Simmons –

I bring in experience, knowledge and resources that we need here in Vance County. I have had the opportunity to work here in Vance County for 20 years as a police officer. For 16 of those years, I worked with the United States Government on federal cases in both Vance County and throughout the state of North Carolina.

I have a strong working relationship with the US Attorney’s Office here in the eastern district of NC. I’m a graduate of Saint Augustine’s College with a degree in organization management, so my background is in managing organizations.

I want to see a sense of unity and concern in our community. I bring that sense of concern from my heart because I do deeply care about our community.

Curtis Brame –

 I have 33 years of experience, continuing education credits and a rapport with the citizens of Vance County. I spent 31 and a half of those years with the Vance County Sheriff’s Department. I retired in 2016 with the intentions of running for sheriff. Since the day I retired, I’ve never stopped working and caring for this county.

I’m the only candidate that is still a sworn law enforcement officer. I’m the only candidate who has ever been a deputy sheriff. I’ve been in training for a long period of time. I’ve worked with three different administrators and learned a lot.

It’s more than just working drugs. Vance County Sheriff’s Department does the civil process and we have the jail. I know the ends and outs of all the procedures that go on with a sheriff’s department. Both [Charles] Pulley and [Allen] Simmons have always worked at the police department. They don’t know the duties of a sheriff – I do.

 

Open Discussion:

Charles Pulley –

People in Vance County want to see change in their community. We need to get the crime problem under control. If we can remove drugs from our county, that will remove some of the crime from our county.

We are known right now as the heroin capital of this part of the state. People are coming from Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Virginia to purchase heroin because it is plentiful and cheap.

I ask everybody to evaluate each candidate and get out and vote. Early voting begins October 17.

Allen Simmons –

We are sitting on a prime spot in Vance County with I-85, US-1 and a lake. This is not just a crime issue for me, it’s more than that. It’s a complete change and a complete growth that we need here.

I want your families to be safe here in this community. Where there is unity, there is strength. That’s what we need here in our community and I will give 100% of me to make sure that sense of unity is brought back.

Curtis Brame –

I focus my energy on being the best. I stood tall and was always proud of being a deputy sheriff. My uniform was always clean. My patrol car was always clean. I’m a go-getter and a hard worker.

I care about this county. I retired in 2016 and chose to come back because I want to make a difference. I, alone, can’t make a change. Only God above can make changes. We’ve got a lot to do in this county. I feel I’m the person to motivate the deputies and my team to get the job done.

Vance County Sheriff's Office

Public Forum for Vance Co. Sheriff Candidates Rescheduled for Oct. 14

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The public forum for Vance County Sheriff candidates Curtis Brame, Charles Pulley and Allen Simmons originally scheduled for Sunday, September 16, 2018, has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 14 from 3 – 5 p.m. in the Vance County Commissioners’ Room of the old courthouse, 122 Young St., Henderson.

Hosted by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, The Daily Dispatch and WIZS Radio, the forum will allow each candidate the opportunity to make an opening statement followed by a question and answer session from representatives of the Chamber, the Dispatch and WIZS. Each candidate will also be given the opportunity to make a two-minute closing statement.

The public will be given an opportunity to suggest the questions that will be asked at the forum. Those questions should be submitted to john@hendersonvance.org, by noon on Friday, October 12. Prior to the forum, a panel represented by the media and the Chamber’s governmental affairs committee will select the order of questions.

The public will also be given the chance to submit questions to the panel on the day of the forum. For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (252) 438-8414 or sandra@hendersonvance.org.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

*WIZS Radio will be recording the forum from 3 – 5 p.m. and airing it in its entirety from 5 – 7 p.m. the same day, Sunday, October 14, following the broadcast of the Carolina Panthers game. It will also be live streamed on wizs.com and posted to wizs.com as a podcast for repeat listening.