WESTOVER – Attendees of the Westover Business Alliance’s fall meeting heard from Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego, Westover Fire Chief Kelly Morris and Mike Schwalle with Nowlin & Associates.

Samaniego was the first to address the crowd at ServPro on Sept. 24, and the sheriff gave an overview of his office’s responsibilities.

“A lot of people don’t realize the office of sheriff is a constitutional office,” he said.

The Sheriff’s Office is required to enforce laws, represent the action of the court system, provide for secure elections and maintain the county jail, which Samaniego said is a particularly daunting challenge.

The Shelby County Jail averages 450-480 inmates and is considered one of the best jails in the Southeast.

“When it gets over 500 it gets very difficult,” Samaniego said.

Shelby County is also known for its aggressive stance toward drug dealers, which causes reluctance for many of them to operate here.

Beyond narcotics, children and young adults today face substances that are easily found and easy to hide, such as CBD gummies and THC capsules for vaping instruments.

“We’ve got our hands full, and we just hope everybody steps in and is active in your child’s life,” Samaniego said.

Schwalle next told those in attendance about a wealth management strategy promoted by Nowlin & Associates based on the “Becoming Your Own Banker” book by R. Nelson Nash.

“We want to provide that certainty, that guarantee for our clients,” Schwalle said. “This isn’t going to be an end-all, be-all investment; this is safe money.”

Morris then provided guests with some information related to trick-or-treating safety.

The next Westover Business Alliance luncheon is scheduled for Jan. 24, 2020.