Q:    8/10/08:  I have received several questions concerning the drug problem in our community.  Several people have made comments about wanting me to address the issue more in depth and are saying they feel the issue is going unnoticed under the current Sheriff.

A:       To be realistic, we know that we're never going to STOP the drugs in our county.  Drugs are a problem worldwide and no-one has a "cure all" answer.  If elected your sheriff, I will approach the issue from several directions.  We will work hard to prevent and curtail their use in our community. 

First, we need to ensure we are discouraging the use of drugs.  This would include the reestablishment of a DARE or other similar program in our schools for our kids.  Furthermore, we need to bond together as a community and offer support & rehab services. We need to give people a helping hand who want to get away from the drugs.  I know there are several groups in town working with various programs.  I hope to get further involved if placed into office.

Secondly, from a law enforcement standpoint, I will see that we fight against the drugs on the streets by working to increase our visibility and making more roadway contacts.  As I discussed on the site, we all know that drugs and stolen property are moved from Point "A" to Point "B" via cars.  We need to go look for it!  When something illegal is found, I want to ensure we work on furthering our investigations and "frying the bigger fish".... not just stop with the end-user of the drug chain.

Lastly, there are several programs that I've seen used in the Springfield Area, a few of which I've implement in Richland.  This involves several concepts that I don't want to publically explain and let the "bad guys" know about.  However, a simple one is for the Sheriff's Office and Police Departments to advertise a Crime-Stoppers Line where citizens can leave anonymous tips about drugs and other violations.

Q:   9/1/08: Several people have come to me with "rumors" that I have the intent to terminate certain employees.  Other "rumors" were that I have promised certain people positions within the department.

A:   To answer this question plainly and honestly, I have not committed to hiring or terminating anyone.  I understand that this is peoples' jobs and livelihood and also know that many of them have families and homes.  The “rumors” going around that I have the intent to “clean house” or anything to the like are just that… rumors.  Personally, I feel these rumors are only circulating in attempts to maintain the status quo by means of instilling fear.

Everyone who is hired by my office will be checked using electronic means and a field background investigation.  Essentially, we will be making good faith efforts to ensure only qualified, “clean” candidates are selected.  While this process will not be 100% effective, it will work to ensure that people who don’t need to be in and around law enforcement aren’t hired to work in positions of trust at your Sheriff’s Office.

Since I have been advised that several employees have not even been screened at all, I will ensure that a neutral party conducts background screening on all current employees to ensure that they meet the same standards as any other new hire would.  Assuming these people want to work as part of a great team, we will begin new training programs to immediately begin improving the department operations and, in turn, use the existing human resources in a more efficient, effective manner.

Q:   10/5/08: I would like to know if and how you will make yourself accessible to the public, so if things aren't being done right by staff we can contact you direct.

A:   I will do my best to maintain an open door policy.  However, I hope to not be in the office all the time... I want to get the admin stuff done and be balanced by being out in the community too.  Rather than being hard to contact, I will make it a point to re-contact you if I'm not there when you arrive [or call / or email].  The way I see it, if you come looking for me and
I'm not there right then, then I need to come looking for you.  Plain and simple!