This week’s question: Do you agree with Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith’s decision to retire immediately rather than seek re-election?
- Yes, it was the right call for him to make.
- No, he should have stayed in the race.
“I agree with his decision to step down because if he thinks he needs to retire, then it’s his decision.”
Ryan Garst
Blairsville, Ga.
"I don’t really know because I don’t know why he resigned. I don’t know if he should have, I know he was asked to resign, so it was probably for a good reason. I guess I agree with him resigning.”
Cassidy Thomasson, Murphy
“I would have fought it if I was innocent; it’s almost like admitting guilt. Or maybe he’s just tired. There’s been a lot of digging into the police, federal agents and everything else, and I don’t think the consensus is on their side. It’s probably just easier to say I don’t want to deal with this and run my family through it, even if I’m innocent. At the same time, I would have tried to keep my name clear.”
Dan Wrench, Blairsville, Ga.
“If he wants to serve and he hasn’t done anything wrong, he doesn’t need to step down.”
Olga Rabold, Murphy
“I would have to say yes and agree with his decision to step down. From what I’ve read, he’s acknowledged his shortcomings and has made the difficult decision to step down, and let somebody else come in and pave the way for the future of the sheriff’s office. I think he did recognize that the district attorney had her issues and he said all right, and stepped down.”
Bert Stockton, Culberson