NATCHEZ &045; Two Democratic sheriff candidates debated at the Ramada Inn Tuesday night, fielding questions from the audience and addressing many issues before a packed room.

Danny Barber hosted the event, only inviting Democratic opponent Ronny Brown to field questions with him before the Aug. 5 Democratic primary.

First, the two candidates opened with a little information about why they were running and debating Tuesday night, with Brown saying only that he was there because he was challenged by Barber to be there.

The two fielded questions from the audience submitted on paper, answering back and forth, many times agreeing at least in part about issues.

They agreed that an open door policy is needed in the sheriff’s office. Both agreed the way to collect fines is for the sheriff to work with the courts, which both said they plan to do.

And both agreed that a drug court should be implemented, with only those charged with possession &045; not those charged with selling &045; going to drug court for rehabilitation.

Both were asked first about their qualifications for the job and what each would do immediately after entering office.

Barber said he would revamp the administration of the sheriff’s office because its employees are an extension of the sheriff.

Brown said he would shut down the Metro Narcotics Task Force and let the state take care of those duties because the task force only costs the county money. He also said he would change the way the jail is run and start programs to educate inmates.

Barber said he has no plan to do away with the Narcotics Task Force but would revamp it.

Barber and Brown also disagreed on the crime rate.

Barber said it is steady, while Brown said it is high.

&uot;No matter how high it is, (it) is too much,&uot; Brown said.

Audience member Robert McGee said the race ratio of government agencies should be the same as that of the community.

Barber said he has no problem with that idea &045; and that things would change if he were elected.

Brown said he believes in being fair and would put the best person in the job, which might mean a higher ratio of black people in the sheriff’s office than in the rest of the community.

The two other Democratic sheriff candidates, Andrea Drane and Charles Woods, said they were invited to a debate that was to be held last week.

But both Drane and Woods said they were told, when they called about last week’s debate, that Brown had called to cancel &045; and that, therefore, that debate would be cancelled.

And both Drane and Woods said they did not know that a debate was to be held Tuesday night.

Woods said he only saw a newspaper advertisement in which Barber challenged Brown to a debate.

&uot;I really didn’t give it that much thought,&uot; Woods said. &uot;I figured it was something personal between those two (Barber and Brown).&uot;

&uot;I thought the same thing,&uot; Drane said. &uot;I’ve sensed there was something personal between those two.&uot;

Drane said she heard that there would be a $200 fee for candidates to participate in last week’s debate but was prepared to participate.

Brown said he proposed the last debate because he wanted to schedule a debate with all four Democratic candidates. But he said last week’s debate was cancelled because Drane and Woods did not want to pay the $200.

Drane said when she called about last week’s debate, she was told it was cancelled because Brown had cancelled, &uot;and no one bothered to tell me it had been rescheduled.&uot;

&uot;I’m not happy at all about that situation,&uot; Drane said Tuesday night. &uot;I would have liked to be there tonight. Š I’d like to address some issues they’re not telling about.&uot;