Detective Paul Best of the Charlottesville P.D. has joined the race for Sheriff, contending with Democrat James E. Brown, III. Best will run as an independent. His present role is working with the Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement Task Force, and if elected, says that one of his priorities will be to initiate a Gang Reduction and Intervention Program (GRIP), working with at-risk youth. He would foster a Sheriff's Advisory Board within the office, and a Citizens Review Board for the community.

Best also proposes a reserve deputy program, to provide more assistance with the office’s daily tasks, perhaps recruiting retired law enforcement people to help out.

(Dave Sagarin, June 22, 2009)