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Names of Bonifay chief candidates released
January 5, 2009 - 6:34 PM
12 names on the list, applications still being taken
CECILIA SPEARS
Staff Writer
cspears@chipleypaper.com
BONIFAY – The number of candidates applying for the position of Bonifay chief of police is 12, with the chance of more applying with Bonifay Mayor James “Eddie” Sims, Jr.
Names of those who have returned applications were released Monday by Sims, who said that other candidates could turn in applications before the Jan. 12 deadline.
Applicants as of press time include:
- •Former Bonifay Police Chief and Holmes County Sheriff Dennis Lee
- •Holmes County Deputy Thomas L. Loucks
- •Jimmy L. Macon of the Walton County School District
- •Guy J. Turcotte, former Cedar Grove police chief
- •Donna Land from the State Attorney’s Office
- •William E. Charles of the Atlanta, GA police department
- •Security specialist Peter Fortunato
- •Lias M. Poole of the Cedar Grove Police Department
- •Graceville Assistant Police Chief Johnny Whitaker, who has also been a candidate for Holmes County Sheriff.
- •Former Holmes County Chief Deputy Harry Hamilton
- •Holmes County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chris Wells
The position came open in December when Chief of Ronnie Bennett resigned after Council Member Richard Woodham motioned for an announcement accepting applications for the position chief of police due to poor performance.
Woodham motioned for a set date for applications to be accepted and a date set for recommendations to be made by a board after their review and Council Member Joann Foxworth seconded the motion. Council members began their voting, with Sims voting “no,” when Bennett stopped them and announced that he was resigning.
Council accepted Bennett's resignation and approved that applications for the position would be accepted until Jan. 12. They may be mailed to: Bonifay City Hall c/o Mayor James E. Sims, Jr.; 301 N. Etheridge Street; Bonifay, Fla. 32425. The recommendation for a new chief will be made Feb. 9.
For more information contact Bonifay City Hall at 547-4238.
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Reader's comments
| I only brought up the American of African descent because the whole north Florida area, of which I am from so don't shoot me, isn't exactly racially neutral and if the Atlanta guy was black and he was suddenly in charge, whoa. There'd be a whole lotta shakin' going on with the good ole boys named and unnamed. There is no black representation that I can see in Holmes County and no, I'm not black. |
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| mary - Jan 14, 2009 02:37:06 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Then I assume you too have been blessed with a vagina? |
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| concerned - Jan 12, 2009 10:35:51 PM | Remove Comment |
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| It's Mrs. Loucks, my husband didn't want to comment on this issue I did. There you go again assuming. |
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| loucks - Jan 12, 2009 08:36:10 PM | Remove Comment |
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| The last time I checked, my equipment between my legs places me in the miss concerned category Mr Loucks. |
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| concerned - Jan 12, 2009 02:34:57 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Hello, I was not addressing you I was addressing Mr. Concerned. |
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| loucks - Jan 09, 2009 09:26:04 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I do not understand how this is about african decent. That should not matter in any way. Someone new to the area would probably bring great change, but change can be a good thing. We need to focuse on moving forward with the best person for the job. To clarify, I never said a negative word about Mr. Loucks, I do not know him or his background. Therefore would not list him in the group with the ones who I believe have not been very professional in the last year or so. We need to keep drugs out of our area, but there are other crimes being pasted over. |
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| Hello - Jan 09, 2009 10:15:39 AM | Remove Comment |
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| We need to go back to the best qualified for the job. Forget all this good ole boy stuff. Maybe an outsider would be best. It's always who you know. If they know you, you get a break. If they don't, you don't get a break. Everyone should be treated equally, no matter who you are. We do not need Dennis Lee as the Police Chief. The people voted him out and I think it would be a stab at the new sheriff to put him in as chief. Lee wouldn't like it if it was the other way around and you wouldn't either. |
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| expressive - Jan 09, 2009 09:14:55 AM | Remove Comment |
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| The guy from Atlanta is actually a local too since he's got land near us, he's a friend of mine and last time I saw him he was definately not of african decent, he's allright. |
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| Panhandle - Jan 08, 2009 07:25:28 AM | Remove Comment |
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| I heard that the mayor is opposed to Dennis getting the job and is not going to recommend him to the council to be hired. |
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| 30100 - Jan 08, 2009 12:28:56 AM | Remove Comment |
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| i would be proud to have dennis, chris or harry as cheif at least we would have someone who would work on the drugs and prositution that goes on in the city. we need someone who will help our children. thats who we need. dennis and the sheriff dept. have fought hard against the drugs in the county let him work for us in the city. he's a great assett to us all. |
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| citizen of bonifay - Jan 08, 2009 12:00:58 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Harry Hamilton would be the best choice by far. He is an expert in what he does. It was a tough choice for Tim to not make him thechief deputy, but the people wanted change and Tim felt that was most important. Hey he listened to the people, that's a change. Harry would make the very best choice. He was the brains of the Holmes County Sheriff's Department and made Dennis Lee look good. Dennis is mentally challenged. |
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| 30100 - Jan 07, 2009 04:30:53 PM | Remove Comment |
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| That is whats wrong, people say things about someone that they don't know. They don't care if its wrong or not. Then other people that don't know that person believes the lies. I know Mr. Loucks and he is so far away from the "good ol boy" system. It's kind of funny that people think that of him but, then again this came from Bonifay people. |
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| out of town - Jan 07, 2009 06:49:52 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Concerned, For starters it's LOUCKS, second he is NOT a good ole boy from bonifay try Michigan, and third he didn't even apply for the chief of police he doesn't want it. Is there anything else? |
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| loucks - Jan 06, 2009 11:02:04 PM | Remove Comment |
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| It will be a miracle if they can Ronnie Bennett to actually WORK for his money. There are several good people from Holmes County that are vying for the position. Give home town people the jobs they are quailified for Or let's be like the new sheriff and bring out town people to hire and give a title so they can make money than the ones that have been here and served their county. |
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| chs - Jan 06, 2009 10:47:55 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Chris wells is not the man for the job he has no brain Get rid of the "Good ole'Boys" they are none too good anyway bring on the out of towner |
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| Mrs C. - Jan 06, 2009 07:50:05 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Dennis has done a good job in stemming the flow of illegal drugs to the children of holmes county. The City of Bonifay should be proud that Dennis would even consider working for them. And, look on the bright side, if Tim needs any help Dennis is just a few blocks away. |
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| drug free - Jan 06, 2009 05:51:57 PM | Remove Comment |
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| How about getting the guy from Atlanta? That would shake this little old town up a bit AND give the poor guy culture shock at the same time, especially if he is an American of African descent. |
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| Mary - Jan 06, 2009 02:54:43 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I have not had any dealings with him. I did not want to name someone I did not know about. |
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| Hello - Jan 06, 2009 11:50:24 AM | Remove Comment |
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| You forgot one Hello Tom Louks was one of the good ole boys also make sure you get'em all if your going to complain |
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| concerned - Jan 06, 2009 11:29:55 AM | Remove Comment |
