I would like to address the accusation of what happened at the benefit ride. I assume, as time goes on, I will have to answer some of these crazy stories that will pop up surrounding distortions of the truth.

First off, I was enroute to the motorcycle ride traveling south on Ga. 85. when an accident with injuries call went out south of my location. I sped up and passed the subject that was riding on a motorcycle, to assist the accident scene. There wasn't anyone coming and the road was clear.

After other units arrived on scene, I cancelled. I then drove to the rally. After exiting my vehicle, this subject, a former Fayette County Sheriff's Department employee, pulled up next to me as I walked. I didn't even recognize him or the passenger on the back of his bike, at first. This subject proceeded to try and stare me down and cursed at me repeatedly.

We weren't within earshot of anyone so I know the statement that "someone overheard it" was falsfied. We were near the entrance of the gas station and totally alone. I did stand up for myself. I did NOT make any threats toward the subject. This particular subject, has a history of being a bully and is the one that was "The Hothead".

I saw this subject several times after that incident and everything was fine. I did speak to the Sheriff and tell him exactly what happened. I don't feel that its important that I name the former employee from the incident so I won't.

If you ask 95% of the people that I arrest, though matter what race, sex or crime, you will see that I shake the hands of almost everyone that I deal with. Our job is just business, not personal.

In reference to the fact that I box, this is true. I have trained young and old fighters for several years now and do this for free. If you know any boxers or have been around fighters for any amount of time, you will learn that fighters are usually the LAST ONES to start a fight. You get enough of that in the ring. The "Hot Heads", are the ones that don't fight very often. The bullies.

I welcome any questions about any incidents that I have been involved in. I am sorry if "standing up for one's self" appears to be perceived as being a hot head or aggressive. This is always going to be one of my faults. I just hope that as stories come out in the press, I am given a chance to answer these allegations and not prosecuted before I am given a trial. Thomas Mindar

but I've been sworn to secrecy.

It has to do with...

well,I better not say.

Let me check with my source first....

My sources tell me Mindar got a "Needs Improvement" in conduct from his sixth grade teacher. She noted that he ate fried chicken with his hands instead of using a knife and fork!

Is this the sort of person we want to be our next sheriff?

(sarcasm, folks, sarcasm)

I don't know anything about the incident you have written about.

I will share with you what I have heard from one friend who works at the SO.

Mindar is young, only been with the dept. 9yrs. He has not been given any management or supervisory position. He has demonstrated that his mouth, ego, and his temper frequently override commonsense to the point where in my opinion he is a lawsuit waiting to happen. I think that Sheriff Johnson has prudently waited to give this hothead time to mature and settle down before giving him any responsibility.

I think he would be a bigger nightmare than victor-shortman-syndrome-hill. I don't want my tax dollars to be spent defending an idiot whose legendary temper and ego has led to lawsuits.

Simmons has a checkered past( to put it mildly), been retired for 12+yrs, from a city that leads the nation in violent crime.

The race is between Babb and Hannah. I would be happy with either one, although I have heard that Hannah is not likely to win any Miss Congeniality awards.