…It should make for an interesting election. I have heard some say that the challengers are wasting their time and money. I have heard others say that Sheriff Berry is “Toast”. He has not had a contested election for several terms…..

AVOC

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January 28, 2012

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Oconee County Sheriff Election 2012 could be interesting

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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A 20 Year, 5 Term incumbent Sheriff being challenged by two young men who were former deputies does not catch fire immediately.   However, some factors that could get involved.

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The Candidates are:

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            1.         Incumbent Sheriff Scott Berry who has been in office 20 years; a long-time in a growing and upper middle class county like Oconee County.   Sheriff Berry was first elected when he was approximately the age of his opponents.His experience, like them, had been investigator.   Sheriff Berry moved to Oconee County in the late 1980’s.

Scott Berry

            SEE Berry’s Announcement:  http://www.facebook.com/reelectberry

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            2.         Trey Downs is a Detective with the Snellville Police Department.   He has 13 years of law enforcement experience starting in the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.   He is an Oconee County native and a graduate of Oconee County High School.   Downs is an Oconee County native with long family ties.

Trey Downs

          FOR Downs’ Background, See: http://downsforsheriff.com/2011/10/28/qualifications-sheriff/and http://downsforsheriff.com/about-trey/

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                        3.         Pat Holl is employed as an investigator by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.  He spent six years with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office in communications and five years as a patrol deputy.   He is an Army veteran and a graduate of Oconee County High School.   Holl has called Oconee County home since 1974.

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Pat Holl

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            FOR Holl’s Background, SEE: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elect-Patrick-Holl-Oconee-County-Sheriff-2012/113582518746846

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Sheriff Berry is presently President of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association and is rightfully proud of that honor.   I am not sure that local citizens are very impressed with such titles.   As Sheriff, he has made friends and enemies.   To many, he has done a good job.   To some, he has a reputation as a “Big Spender”.

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Trey Downs’ parents have operated Downs Pre-School on Mars Hill Rd since 1984.   His mother Holly previously worked in the office of the District Attorney.   His father, Buddy Downs, is the son of Harvey and Lizzie Dickens Downs.   He has a plethora of cousins and connections in Oconee County.  

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Pat Holl is the son of Rhodie Holl who has worked at the Oconee Enterprise.   Pat has children in the Oconee County School System.  His father, Ed Holl, died in an automobile accident in the late 70’s.   Pat has many friends & connections from growing up in the County and from his school and deputy days.  

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All are using Facebook and other social media outlets to promote their candidacy.   Incumbent Sheriffs usually have a favorable press and Sheriff Berry has been a favorite of the Oconee Enterprise since he first ran 20 years ago.   That is not necessarily where most county citizens now get their news.   Publicity is a more even playing field in today’s environment.

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It should make for an interesting election.   I have heard some say that the challengers are wasting their time and money.   I have heard others say that Sheriff Berry is “Toast”.   He has not had a contested election for several terms.   Some say that challengers Holl & Downs will split the anti-incumbent vote.   If they do split the vote and a runoff results, that may not be favorable to an incumbent.

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Stay Tuned…………For more detail and links, see:

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Oconee County Sheriff Candidates 2012.pdfx