Sometimes journalists have a change of heart. That’s why the YES! Weekly primary endorsement tearsheet published in the April 28 edition needs to be corrected for one race — Forsyth County Sheriff. YES! Weekly proudly endorses the candidacy of incumbent Bill Schatzman, not his Republican challenger, Dave Griffith. The YES! Weekly editorial board originally endorsed Griffith, but after I attended a candidate forum on Monday, it became clear that Schatzman is the best man for the job.
Despite the fact the forum was sponsored by the Forsyth County Republican Party, Schatzman faced a hostile crowd. Griffith served as Schatzman’s chief deputy from 2002 to 2006, but had very few kind words for his former boss. Griffith’s criticisms appeared to inflame the passions of the partisan crowd, many of whom were adorned in black and gold “Griffith for Sheriff” T-shirts. The audience members directed pointed questions at Schatzman regarding his views on immigration issues, crime rates and departmental policy regarding promotions.
Schatzman maintained his poise, and stood his ground. Griffith, on the other hand, appeared to pander to the audience. Both Schatzman and Griffith made claims about crime rates in Forsyth contradicted by the State Bureau of Investigation website, but when Schatzman asked Griffith to elaborate on what he would do differently if elected, Griffith failed to muster a meaningful response.
In addition, Schatzman touted the fact that his department is in the final stages of an accreditation process, which will have a direct impact on federal funding of the sheriff’s office. Suprisingly, Griffith said he did not approve of the sheriff’s office gaining national accreditiation.
For all these reasons and more, YES! Weekly proudly endorses the candidacy of Bill Schatzman for Forsyth County Sheriff.
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