It’s coming up on a month since residents found out that Sheriff Joe Chapman would be returning for another four years as sheriff of Walton County. Chapman beat out his challenger, Monroe Public Safety Director Keith Glass, by a margin of 2-1 to hold onto his position of sheriff for another four years.
After what was undoubtedly one of the most contentious races of this election season and probably in recent Walton County history, if anyone was hoping things would go back to business as usual now that it is over may well be disappointed. According to Chapman, that is not going to be the case. He said he is no longer comfortable working with the City of Monroe Police Department “as long as Keith Glass continues to be the chief.”
“I have discussed my issues with the new city manager and he’s said he would speak with the City Council and will be back in touch. So we will see,” Chapman said. “I’d like them to find a new police chief.”
By the time election day rolled around on May 24, in a series of stories and Letters to the Editor in the Walton Tribune, Chapman had leveled charges at Glass alleging that he’s been an informant for the FBI in the Angel Food Ministries case to avoid facing charges himself. And that was after attorneys David Boyle and Eric Crawford, who were supporters of Glass, had formed a PAC that didn’t pull any punches about their distain for Chapman in his role as sheriff. For their part, Chapman said he also has lodged complaints through the necessary channels for their actions during the campaign.
“There are avenues for dealing with supposedly professional attorneys,” Chapman said. “It didn’t have to be like that, but he (Glass) chose to do go that way with all the slanderous stuff from him and his two lawyer friends. I can take it, but when they attack my family and friends, that’s going too far.”
Chapman said he also has questions about Glass continuing to be paid by the City of Monroe while taking time off to run for sheriff.
“Not only did he get paid while he was running, but after all that he also has now got a pay raise,” Chapman said.
Following an executive session after the June City Council meeting, Monroe Council members voted to roll the stipends that were previously paid to Glass, his assistant Marsha Queen and Assistant Chief R.V. Watts into their base salaries, effective July 1, according to Monroe City Councilman Larry Bradley. Those amounts were $7,800 to Glass, $5,850 to Watts and $3,900 to Queen. Not all council members supported the action.
“(Councilman) Norman Garrett is the only one questioning this,” Chapman said. Garrett and Councilwoman Myoshia Crawford voted against the measure.
With regard to Glass taking the time off to run for sheriff, however, the Monroe City Council had voted prior to the election to allow him to remain as public safety director, but take accumulated vacation time allowing him to be away from his duties during that period. Watts stepped into the role during his absence.
Chapman said that, as a Monroe taxpayer, he also is questioning money that Glass spent on the city’s credit card to pay for repairs to his vehicle.
“There again, the only person questioning it on the City Council is Norman Garrett,” Chapman said.
When asked about any response to Chapman’s actions, Glass had no comment. However, with regard to his role as public safety director for the City of Monroe, Glass said he is back on duty for the city and will continue to do his job as always.
“I will continue to do what I have always done my whole career, work and do what’s best for the City of Monroe and the residents of Monroe,” Glass said. “I also will continue to work with the Sheriff’s Department as I have done in the past. If they call on us to help, we will be there to help if we are needed.”
