Despite heavy thunder storms looming in the area, about 50 people braved the weather for a forum featuring candidates in runoff elections for Wood County sheriff and Precinct 1 county commissioner in Quitman Tuesday, June 23. The runoff is July 14.

Robert Kecseg of the Lake Country Republican Club was the moderator. Questions were taken from the audience as well as many questions from the moderator.

After a 30-minute back and forth from incumbent Commissioner Virgil Junior Holland and challenger Keith Gilbreath, the forum turned to Sheriff Tom Castloo and challenger Quitman Police Chief Kelly Cole for about an hour and a half.

During the sheriff’s portion of the night’s program Cole started things off.

“We have been through a lot of these things. I have been in law enforcement for 36 years all right here in Wood County.  I believe in this county,” Cole said. “We need to keep moving forward and I‘m looking forward to being the sheriff of Wood County.”

Castloo countered in his introduction.

“My name is Tom Castloo and I have been sheriff since three and a half years ago. I’m from Wood County, from Mineola, where I graduated from high school,” Castloo noted. “I’m proud of our people. What we have now in the sheriff’s office are the best personnel we have had in a long, long time in Wood County.”

Kecseg asked each of the candidates what they had felt most proud of during their experience in their specific roles.

“From the chief deputy down to the newest deputy hired, we have professionals, well-trained professionals. I am extremely proud to say this is the team I have put together,” Castloo claimed. “I am proud they work for me and I am proud to be associated with each of them.

Cole said, “I am proud of all the citizens of Wood County. Our citizens have a tendency to speak up with what’s on their minds and that is a good thing. I’m proud we have that quality of citizens who do speak up. As far as individual achievements, I just don’t look at those things. I am proud of my officers that work in our department. I’m proud of the way our officers work together and with other departments.”

The candidates sparred over the number of times the sheriff’s department has been called in to assist Quitman PD. Castloo indicated his deputies assisted Quitman PD more times than other city departments put together.

Cole countered with telling the crowd the sheriff’s department is located in the city limits of Quitman and therefore, they are on the scene more often. Many times when the city has made a stop, the county will check on them to see if they are needed. According to Cole, those are considered “assists” even though they are not needed.

The candidates continued to give their beliefs on how the county department should be run and they each encouraged people to get out and vote.

The Prec. 1 candidates for commissioner basically gave their backgrounds, education and what they wanted to accomplish in the position. They each discussed the building and maintenance of county roads as one of the most important parts of the commissioner’s job. They each expressed the need and continued maintenance of county machinery and property.  

In summing up Holland said, “Let’s continue to move forward in Precinct 1 and Wood County, not take a step backward. I will continue to be a working commissioner and I will be responsible for everything that goes on in my precinct.”

Gilbreath noted, “I feel like I did a good job when I was a commissioner before. We accomplished many good things and I want to be able to do it again. I will be always there for the people of Precinct 1.”

Early voting started Monday morning and continues through July 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wood County annex building just southwest of the courthouse. On the July 14 voting day, polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations for Precinct #1: 1-1 at Carroll Green Civic Center in Quitman; 1-2 Yantis Community Center; and 1-3 and 1-4 at Alba Community Center.