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Noel T. Dunnagan
BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER
 | | Noel "Tim" Dunnagan |
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WARM SPRINGS - Noel "Tim" Dunnagan started in the sheriff's department as a dispatcher in 1981 and has been working his way toward running for sheriff since then.
For the past 12 years, under outgoing sheriff Tommy Black, Dunnagan has served as chief deputy. While he considers Black a close friend, he is quick to say, "I'm my own person." There are things he couldn't do as chief deputy that he hopes to do as sheriff.
"Public safety is the No. 1 priority in the community," said Dunnagan. He doesn't believe a price can be put on public safety and doesn't believe that when the budget is tight it can be cut without impacting services.
The department is struggling now, Dunnagan said, and could use more personnel. He'd like to add a full-time investigator and have additional deputies to cover when people are sick and on vacation.
"There is a lot to be done when you're sheriff," said Dunnagan. The sheriff needs to work daylight and check in on weekends, he said.
Dunnagan began in the sheriff's department on a midnight shift. "If you have rank, you should be rewarded," he said by having week- ends off or working only daylight shifts. As he does now, his chief deputy will work a set shift.
He would like deputies to be more visible. Dunnagan will have more routine traffic checks but doesn't plan to use radar at this point. "We have five or six things we have to do," said Dunnagan. The state police do a good job of running radar and working accidents, he said.
Since the state police only have two things to do and the sheriff's department has many, including providing court security and serving papers, Dunnagan doesn't feel the sheriff's department should be taking on duties covered by state police.
State funding is the biggest part of the department budget, said Dunnagan. He says with better reporting to establish need, he hopes the state will pay for a full-time investigator position. Currently, he said, the county does not have enough population or criminal events to support the position, according to the state compensation board.
Like other candidates, Dunnagan supports deputies coaching and doing other community activities as long as they are not doing so on duty. A deputy is "a deputy first" and is sworn to uphold the law, he said. Community and other outside activities cannot interfere with that duty.
Dunnagan pointed to the release of photos and information on recent drug arrests as steps he feels the department can and should take to keep people informed. "People need to know who these people are," he said of those charged with serious crimes.
As sheriff, he said he would always return phone calls from citizens. The sheriff 's job means "longer hours, longer days," he said.
Parents are working more trying to make ends meet, Dunnagan added. As a result, children don't get as much attention and guidance at home as they once did. Dunnagan would like the sheriff's department to have a program in the schools that begins in elementary school.
"A deputy would talk about everything from hot rodding to drugs," he said. The DARE program started by the state didn't seem to be working, according to Dunnagan. He supports a broader look at issues starting in elementary schools.
The county needs the new E- 911 facility and should "hurry up and get this thing done," Dunnagan said. When he first started with the department, Dunnagan said he knew where everyone lived. Now with the new development and growth in the county, "there are places I've never seen."
Dunnagan says his job with the sheriff's department has been like part of his family. He says he is familiar with the budget process and department operations. The sheriff and deputies "have to uphold the law and get along with citizens."
Sometimes, law enforcement officers "have to help" people. The job is not just to issue warrants but to also help people through difficult times, he said.
The citizens of Bath "know me, see me every day working," Dunnagan said. "They know I will do a good job as sheriff."
About the
candidate
¦ Noel "Tim" Dunnagan, 47 ¦ 26 years as deputy Bath County. ¦ 12 years chief deputy. ¦ Resident of Bacova ¦ Member Ashwood Methodist Church
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