`Tony' Allison announces County Sheriff candidacy
By A.W. `Tony' Allison

Tony Allison

In 1989 my Wife and I chose Henderson County as our home. We soon grew to know and love this area and its people. We have worked and raised our family here. My Wife and I have two daughters, one a freshman at Athens High School and the other a freshman at Trinity Valley Community College.

I began working for the Sheriff's Department in 1990 and have proudly served in that Department ever since. I hold a Master Peace Officer License, Master Jailer License and Advanced Telecommunications License from the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. I have an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and more than 2,800 hours of specialized law enforcement training. I am a veteran of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. I am now seeking the office of Sheriff, an office I believe to be of and for the people of Henderson County.

Beginning my employment as a Jailer, I was promoted to Sergeant in 1991, to Captain in 1993 and became a part of the Command Staff of the Sheriff's Department as Jail Administrator. In 2001 I was promoted to Assistant Chief Deputy with the primary responsibility of Jail Service. I soon became the Department's Budget Officer and liaison with the Commissioner's Court. I have since developed a good working relationship with that Court and other county officials. For the past 15 years I've been involved in every major decision concerning the Sheriff's Department.

I am humbled, honored and proud to have the endorsement and support of Sheriff Ronny Brownlow and former Sheriff H.B. "Slick" Alfred as I seek the office of Sheriff. These men represent the last nineteen years of the history of the Sheriff's department. I am also proud of this Department's reputation and know that I am working with some of the finest people to ever wear the badge. I would put our department up against any in this State. It would be an honor to lead this department as it grows and improves.

The primary purpose of the Sheriff's Department is, of course, to protect and serve the people. I believe that the partnership between law enforcement and the people we serve is the cornerstone of effective law enforcement. To better protect and serve, some of my major areas of emphasis are touched upon below.

The infrastructure of the department has been in place for over fifteen years, maintaining criminal enforcement, communications, civil process and warrants, jail services and support staff. With the growing number of employees, inmates and the largest budget in Henderson County, the focus of the Administration must be on money management, direction and supervision of employees and inmates. The people of Henderson County deserve nothing less.

We have in place a Drug Task Force, composed of members from the County's Municipal Police Departments and the Sheriff's Office. This Task Force has done an outstanding job and gained statewide recognition from the Governor's Office, Department of Public Safety, Texas Monthly and Dallas Morning News. We must continue to aggressively enforce our narcotics laws, using the latest technology to address this everpresent and growing problem.

I would like to build a partnership with our School Districts, Child Protective Services, other Crisis Assistance Agencies, and the community, to aggressively address the increasing number of crimes against children. We also need to address the growing number of crimes against our Senior Citizens. Many are falling victim to scam artists that steal their identities, properties, savings and pride. The safety and protection of these two special groups is of utmost importance. We in law enforcement must take the lead and work with prosecutors to bridge the gap, enhance communications and take whatever steps are necessary to remove predators from our communities. I will also work to improve our relationship with our children's and senior 's groups and to educate them on the methods of these criminals.

During the time of my service, our Sheriff 's Department has grown from a 95- bed jail, a staff of 56 and a 1.8 million dollar budget to our current size of 140 employees, a budget of 7.8 million dollars and a jail capacity of, soon to be, 508 inmates. I believe that I have the necessary qualifications, experience, and leadership skills to direct and lead the Department in these rapidly changing and troubled times. Our tax paying citizens always deserve the very best of services provided in the most efficient manner possible.

If elected, I promise to do my best, using my education, experience and ability to cooperate with others, to solve our ever-changing problems. It is also incumbent, on those of us who are public servants, to use your resources wisely in addressing these problems. I can and will, with your help, do these things. I would appreciate your vote and support in the March Primary and the November General Election.