If Waters Wins, Westbrook Says He's Out

Cherokee County emergency director Robby Westbrook, the man who everyone relies on when severe weather hits Cherokee County, said today that he will retire if defeats in the upcoming July 31 primary.

"I know in my heart Sheriff Garrison will win this race, but if for some reason he doesn't, I will be retiring after 31 years of service to the county I love," he wrote on his Facebook page, a space he also uses to tell residents when to take cover, when they're in the clear, and what roads to avoid after thunderstorms, snowstorms and tornadoes have passed.

The tenor of the race between Waters and Garrison has become negative in recent weeks.

In late June, Waters said his . And that same week, nearly 30-year-old photos of Garrison at a Halloween costume party surfaced in a WSB-TV report. Garrison was . At the time the photo was taken, he said he worked for the or the .

Garrison, who is in office, for what he called a stupid mistake, then accused Waters of playing dirty politics and sending the photos to WSB-TV. 

Waters, a commander with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, in a letter to Canton-Sixes Patch. And WSB-TV reporter Jodie Fleischer has said that Waters was not the source who provided the photos.

in Cherokee. In today's Facebook post, Westbrook said: "I want nothing to do with the people who are supporting Mr. Waters and I will not be associated with them at any time. Period."

Waters could not be reached for comment.

Responding via email, Garrison said: "It is not an issue. Robby will still be on the job January 1, 2013."

FACEBOOK POST FROM CHEROKEE'S EMERGENCY DIRECTOR

I wanted to let everyone know how i truly feel about the Cherokee Sheriff's race. I want nothing to do with the people who are supporting Mr. waters and I will not be associated with them at any time PERIOD! KEEP CHEROKEE SAFE AND PROFESSIONAL!

Ken Ball said it best: "Sheriff Roger Garrison endorsements (Cherokee Ledger July 11th) of Governor Deal, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Senator Isakson, Senator Chambliss, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, Speaker of the House David Ralston, Attorney General Sam Olens, Clerk of Courts Patty Baker, Woodstock Mayor Henriques, Canton Mayor Hobgood, Holly Springs Mayor Tim Downing, Ballground Mayor Rick Roberts, Waleska Mayor Doris Jones, Coroner Earl Darby. Professional Leadership that has moved Cherokee Forward for 20 years and earned Law Enforcement in Cherokee state-wide respect.

If I recall his opposition has an endorsement of an OUT of County Fraternal Organization that has nothing to do with Cherokee County.

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