BY TOM YANCEY
STAFF WRITER
Twelve-year incumbent Greene County Sheriff Steve Burns is the Republican nominee for re-election in the Aug. 5 county general election.
Burns, 57, of Hendry Hollow Road, Bulls Gap, and his wife Glennis Bible Burns, have been married for 39 years. She is employed in Takoma Regional Hospital's laboratory.
They have two children: Capt. Jay Burns, a graduate of the University of Tennessee and the UT College of Law, who is serving in Afghanistan, and Lauren Burns, a credit analyst at Forward Air Corporation, who is also pursuing a degree in logistics.
Steve Burns has been an employee of the Greene County Sheriff's Department for 33 years.
He is a member of Robinette Primitive Baptist Church, past president of Romeo Ruritan, and a member of Mosheim Masonic Lodge, Kerbela Shriners, Greeneville Moose Lodge, and the Greeneville Exchange Club.
As sheriff, he is a member of several committees of the Greene County Commission.
He is on the Tennessee Sheriffs Association Legislative Committee and is the group's Division 1 vice president.
He also is a member of the board of trustees for the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, and represents all sheriffs in eight Upper East Tennessee counties for Homeland Security.
Burns received the state Homeland Security Directors Award for his work in inter-operable communications across the State of Tennessee.
He also received the meritorious service award from the Infragard Chapter of Tennessee, for helping to establish the state Fusion Center, which links criminal intelligence to all law enforcement agencies in the state.
He received certificates of appreciation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for support of response and recovery efforts after the 2001 flood, and for his support of the 278th Regimental Combat Team during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Illegal drug activity seems to be a widespread problem that also shows up in other crimes, including (but not limited to) burglary, theft, domestic and other violence, vehicular offenses, child abuse and neglect, etc. Obviously, the problem is not unique to Greene County, but is enough being done to reduce illegal drug activity here?
"I don't know if any of us can ever do enough, but I do know that our officers do an excellent job working day and night investigating illegal drug activity. Evidence of this is the hundreds of cases and arrests that have been made.
"The recent indictment of 25 individuals for the possession and/or selling of prescription drugs identifies the number one problem we see today.
"Because of my many years of experience, and more than 2,000 undercover investigations I have worked, I realize that we must also turn to the source of this problem, which is the ability for large groups of people to travel out of state to pain clinics and legally obtain as many as 300 pills each, and return back to Greene County without having violated any law, and they can do this every 30 days.
"Many of these pills then hit the street and are sold to those people who are addicted to them. I continue to see many good families torn apart by this problem.
"I have already taken action that I believe will give law enforcement across this state the authority needed to attack this problem.
"Last year, I started working with legislators to develop and pass laws that would make it illegal for groups of people to travel to another state with the intent of purchasing large quantities of prescription drugs for sale.
"Progress was made, but there is more work to do.
"I am hopeful that we can finalize the laws and pass them during the state's next legislative session. These laws will give us the authority we need to intercept these drugs before they hit the street.
"Most of you will remember that we had to do the same thing a few years ago to slow the meth labs. It took some time, but by passing laws that make it harder to get ingredients to make meth, we have seen a significant decrease in the number of these labs.
"Please ask your legislators to assist me in passing these laws."
What's the second-biggest crime problem that the Greene County Sheriff's Department faces? Are there additional actions that should be taken by the Department to combat this problem? If so, what do you think should be done?
"I don't look at it as a first or second biggest crime problem. Any crime is a problem.
"As I stated (above), the abuse of prescription drugs currently is the leading cause of our crime problems; however, this and the other crimes that have been listed in Question #1 together make up the majority of our caseload.
"For the most part, this is no different today than it has ever been. Our department does an excellent job working and resolving these cases.
"Additional action to combat these problems would be to keep the criminals in jail once we put them there, so we don't have to keep arresting them over and over again."
What in your background and experience would you most like for voters to consider when they choose the candidate to vote for as Greene County Sheriff?
"I have 30 years of continuous service and experience at the Greene County Sheriff's Department.
"My experience keeping the cars on the road, starting in 1977, enables me to better manage our vehicles today.
"My experience in dispatching allows me to understand and help advise our employees with constant changes they face today.
"My experience with the jail and inmates helps me to better manage two jails with an average of 350 inmates per day.
"My experience as a patrol officer helps me understand what today's patrol officers face, and allows me to assist them and provide guidance and good advice.
"My experience as a criminal investigator allows me to work closely with our Detective Division on their cases, including major crimes.
"My experience as a Drug Task Force Director, and more than 2,000 undercover narcotics investigations helps me guide and direct our narcotics agents today.
"My experience in budgeting helps me find ways to cut costs, and to get more done with less, which saves tax dollars.
"My experience since the 9-11 (terrorist attacks) with Homeland Security has made us better prepared for any disaster.
"My experience with the State Legislative Committee has blocked the passing of many laws that 'protect the criminal.'
"And finally, 12 years as Sheriff, during one of the most dangerous times in our history, has given me the experience necessary to lead this department forward."
Are enough deputies normally on patrol now in Greene County? If not, what can be done to improve the situation?
"Many of you who listen to scanners have commented to me about how you can't believe how busy our officers are. They do an excellent job; however, most of their time is spent answering calls.
"We live in a big county, with more than 600 square miles and 1,300 miles of roads. Our population continues to increase and so does our crime.
"Today, we have a greater need to saturate high-crime areas with additional patrols. We do this as much as our budget will allow, and when we do, we always get results.
"The most cost-effective way to accomplish this is not to hire more officers, but to allow the officers we have to work more. Being able to afford this is the best way to improve the situation."
There has been considerable discussion in the community in the last few years about the adequacy of the Sheriff's Department's current facilities for housing prisoners. Do you favor construction of a new jail or jail/justice center, or other major changes to existing facilities? Why or why not?
"The jail always has and always will be an issue no matter who the sheriff is. Go back to 1997: Terry Jones was sheriff, a federal lawsuit was filed against the jail, and the County Commission eventually voted to build the workhouse. This is proof that sheriffs don't build jails; sheriffs run jails.
"In October 2008 and again in December 2008, as reported in The Greeneville Sun, I appeared before the Tennessee Corrections Institute in Nashville on behalf of the citizens of Greene County to appeal for certification of our jail, and won.
"This resolved the jail issue at that time.
"Any decision to renovate, add to, or build a jail is totally up to the County Commission. Don't be misled. The County Commission is the only body that has the authority to build a jail."
Is there a need for Spanish-speaking detectives or officers here? Why or why not?
"Yes, there is an increasing need due to the Hispanics that we encounter.
"We currently have officers who speak Spanish in our detective division, our patrol division, and our jail. Potential employees are also asked if they speak Spanish, and we have access to others who assist us.
"Some officers attend Spanish classes as part of their yearly in-service."
Is there anything about the Sheriff's Department (or law enforcement in general) that you wish the public understood better? If so, please explain.
"I don't think the public in general necessarily has the desire to understand everything we do; however, I do believe that the public wants to be confident that the sheriff understands the job and always tries to do the right thing."
Additional Comment
"The responsibilities of today's sheriff are constantly changing and are more complicated than they have ever been. The sheriff of today is not only a lawman, but also a businessman.
"I believe that 33 years of continuous service with the last 12 years as sheriff, gives me the experience needed to continue to lead us forward.
"I am proud to have had a part in assembling one of the most respected Sheriff's Departments anywhere, and I am proud of the fine men and women who serve in all capacities of the Department.
"I take pride in my work, and I thank everyone who has given me the opportunity to hold the office of Greene County Sheriff.
"The office of sheriff should be one of the most respected in county government, and I have given my all to serve you well.
"I will always strive to act in the best interest of you, the citizens of Greene County. I hope you will allow me to continue to serve as your sheriff.
"I will appreciate your vote and support. Thank you."
