Pubdate: Fri, 07 Dec 2001
Source: The Herald-Sun (NC)
Copyright: 2001 The Herald-Sun
Contact:  http://www.herald-sun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428
Author: Geoffrey M Graybeal
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

CHATHAM SHERIFF SAYS HE WON'T RUN FOR ELECTION

PITTSBORO -- Chatham County Sheriff Ike Gray is not running for office next 
year.

"I will not be on the ballot in 2002," Gray told a Chapel Hill Herald 
reporter Thursday.

Gray said he had no further comment other than he planned to issue a future 
statement.

The department has received much criticism about last year's thefts of 
nearly 5,000 pounds of marijuana that the department had confiscated in its 
largest drug bust.

Gray was appointed sheriff last December after former Sheriff Don Whitt 
retired because of health reasons. Whitt had been at the department's helm 
when the two marijuana thefts occurred -- one from a truck on the 
department grounds, where the marijuana was being stored, and the other 
from the Chatham County landfill, where the remaining marijuana was buried.

"It's a shame that he had to end his career on circumstances that really 
weren't his doing," said Chatham County Commissioner Rick Givens, who 
announced his candidacy for sheriff earlier this week.

N.C. Highway patrolman Randy Knight, who announced his candidacy for 
sheriff last spring, wasn't surprised by Gray's announcement. He said he 
expected it considering the department's negative publicity of late.

"I think that sheriff's department is in major turmoil," Knight said.

Also in the race are Pittsboro Police Department patrol sergeant Richard H. 
Webster and Siler City Police Detective Jimmy Bowden.

"I think [the race] is going to be wide open," Knight said. "There's some 
good guys out there."

The filing period opens Jan. 7.

Knight and Givens both said Gray is better qualified for law enforcement 
than administration.

They said if elected sheriff that Gray would still be welcome in some capacity.

Neither Webster nor Bowden could be reached for comment Thursday.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager