Three area sheriffs attend NC Sheriffs’ Association Annual Business Conference

Sheriffs Hawkins, Norman, and Beam represent their three counties constituents well at association meeting

by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

The week of July 24, three CF Media-area sheriffs attended the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Annual Business Conference. They were Gaston County Sheriff, and former Cherryville Police Chief, Chad Hawkins, Cleveland County Sheriff, Alan Norman, and Lincoln County Sheriff, Bill Beam.

In a July 31, 2023 media release, Eddie Caldwell , Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, noted the association hosted sheriffs, sheriffs’ personnel and their families from across the state for their Annual Business Conference.

Stated Mr. Caldwell, “The Annual Business Conference is an opportunity for sheriffs and sheriffs’ personnel to gather for networking, panel discussions, and training programs which cover a variety of topics related to law enforcement.”

Topics covered during this year’s Annual Business Conference, he noted, “… included the sheriff’s role in school safety and active shooter response procedures, among others.”

He also noted attendees heard presentations from guest speakers and attended a number of meetings throughout the conference. The Association also elects new Executive Committee officers each year at the conference, said Caldwell.

“This year’s elections resulted in five sheriffs being elected to new offices: President – Sheriff Darren Campbell, Iredell County; First Vice President – Sheriff Mike Roberson, Chatham County; Second Vice President –Sheriff Ricky Buchanan, McDowell County; Third Vice President – Sheriff Clee Atkinson, Edgecombe County; and Treasurer – Sheriff Van Shaw, Cabarrus County.”

Outgoing President Charles Blackwood, Orange County, will transition into the role of Chairman of the Association’s Executive

Committee and Sheriff Alan Jones, Caldwell County, was reelected to serve as Secretary. Newly elected Association President Campbell said, “The Annual Business Conference is always an excellent opportunity for sheriffs to get together to discuss important issues we are facing, network, and conduct Association business. I am excited for the opportunity to serve as the President of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association and hope to help enhance public safety in our communities while representing the sheriffs of North Carolina.”

For additional information on the NCSA, contact Mr. Caldwell at (919) 810-6333, or email him at ecaldwell@ ncsheriffs.net.

It is the mission of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, Inc. is to serve as the statewide voice to protect, promote, preserve, and enhance the Office of Sheriff in North Carolina through education, training, and legislative initiatives that increase public safety and protect the rights of the citizens of North Carolina.

Their motto is: “Proudly serving the sheriffs and citizens of North Carolina since 1922.”

See CONFERENCE Page 3 tectomy and in January 2023 had reconstructive surgery.

Some of the jeans that can be found in The Wild Cholla boutique’s 207 building.

“I ended up not needing chemotherapy or radiation. I feel great and I stay busy!”

She and Gary share four children: Konner Morgan (18); Emily Nadal (17); Grayson Hicks (13); and daughter, Peyton Hicks (12). The kids will be helping out at the family’s shops, she and Gary noted when things get going and as they can, when they aren’t in class at Lincoln

Charter, or, in Konner’s case, pursuing a career as a lineman. He is also interested in cars, he said.

Hicks said she and Gary looked in Lincolnton and elsewhere around the area, trying to find a building large enough to put a bar into, she said.

On a chance meeting with artist and designer Jhoan Alfaro, who sent them to Vickie Spurling, of Vickie Spurling Realty, Randi and Gary were shown the two buildings they currently occupy. The buildings are located at 205 and 207 N. Mountain Street, and are unique in their own right, with all sorts of eclectic charm and just the right amount of space the two were needing.

Said Randi, “Once we are finished with this building (the 207 location), we will shut the entrance and the only

See NEW STORE, Page 3