July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Sheriff is a three-man race (10/28/06)
The Nov. 7 election will find three candidates with extensive backgrounds in law enforcement on the ballot for the job of the Jay County Sheriff.
Republican Larry "Ray" Newton, who has a 15-year career with the Jay County Sheriff's Department; Mark Barnett, a Democrat and long-time Portland police officer with more than 22 years in law enforcement; and independent candidate Brian H. Louth, a long-time reserve on the Portland Police Department, will all be looking to capture the seat currently held by Sheriff Todd Penrod.
Penrod is completing his second term in office and is not permitted to seek another term.
Newton and Louth are both making their first runs for a political office, while Barnett has successfully sought the seat of Jay County Councilman and was twice elected as Jay County Coroner.
A resident of 1093 West 200 South, Portland, Newton is a 1981 graduate of Jay County High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy that year and served until 1985. After leaving the military, he enrolled at Indiana Vocational Technical School and graduated in 1989 with an associate degree in applied science. He is also a 1991 graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
A member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portland and its Knights of Columbus, the Portland Morning Optimist Club, and the Indiana Sheriff's Association, Newton and his wife, the former Cindy Saxman, have three daughters, Chelsea, age 12, Sarah, age 9, and Gabrielle, age 4.
He is also a member of the Blackford County Emergency Response Team (SWAT).
Barnett is a 1979 graduate of Jay County High School and served in the U.S. army from 1980 to 1984 where he earned the Good Conduct Medal/Overseas Ribbon. After joining the Portland Police Department as a reserve patrolman in 1984, he was named reserve sergeant in 1986 and hired as a patrolman in 1988. He graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1989 and was promoted to sergeant with the department in 1990. In 1998 he was named assistant chief of police and since 2004 has been a patrolman on the department.
He is also a graduate of the Indiana State Department of Toxicology as a Breathalyzer operator, the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Instructor Development School, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Police Chief Administration School, and is also an Indiana State Coroners Association certified medicolegal death investigator.
Barnett's first term as coroner was from 1992 to 2000, and he was elected to a four year term again in 2004. He served from 2000 to 2004 as a member of the Jay County Council.
He and his wife, the former Lisa Hummer, have one daughter, Amanda.
He is a member and deacon of the West Walnut Street Church of Christ, is a member of the Indiana State Coroner's Association, American Legion Post 211, and is a Jay County Band Booster.
Brian H. Louth, a resident of 646 East 200 North, Portland, is a 1981 graduate of Mendon Union High School.
He is also a graduate of Van Wert, Ohio, Vocational School where he received training in DECA management training and advanced welding.
He has been employed as lead maintenance man at Tyson Mexican Original for the past 11 years and receives 80 hours of haz-mat training annually. He has taken basic classes in maintenance, welding and cutting, trouble shooting, refrigeration and air conditioning, pneumatics, hydraulics, chains and sprockets and gearboxes,and leadership training.
Through the Portland Police Department he has received pre-basic officer training, emergency vehicle training. He receives 16 hours of additional training annually and hascompleted First Responder Training.
He has taken wastewater operations classes through ITT Technical School in Fort Wayne, and through Jay County's adult education program studied computer-aided drafting.
Serving as a U.S. Army reservist for the past 25 years, Louth has attended nuclear biological chemical signifier school, explosives demolitions school, taken the basic non-commissioned officers' course (management training), advanced non-commissioned officer course (management training), defensive driving course, advanced combat leadership course, haz-mat and ammo, ammo distribution and accountability, risk management, accident avoidance, law of the land warfare, hot and cold weather injury prevention, and personnel retention.
A member of the Church of the Brethren in Portland and the American Legion, Louth and his wife Kay, have three daughters, Briana, Kelsey and Haley, and one son, Lance.
The candidates recently completed questions offered to them by The Commercial Review. Here are their responses:
What motivated you to run for sheriff? What specific characteristics or qualities make you the best candidate for the position?
Newton - "Running for sheriff has been a goal of mine since I began my career. It was a decision that I did not make overnight, but a decision that was carefully thought about over the years. I have prepared myself by learning from the past sheriffs to the present sheriff, and most importantly, listening to the public on their concerns on what a sheriff should be. I want to take the sheriff's department into the future and make this department an agency that we all can be proud of.
"What characteristics make me the best candidate? My love for the job as a police officer. I am a man who believes in honesty, leadership, and professionalism. These characteristics I will bring to the department if elected your next sheriff. I want all personnel to believe in this to make the department better."
Barnett - "I have over 22 years of experience in law enforcement, and I feel that I am capable of enhancing the welfare of our county if elected sheriff. With the current sheriff's term limitations, this is the perfect time to run for sheriff. As a member of the Portland Police Department, I have held the rank of sergeant for eight years and assistant chief of police for six years. I have been assigned the positions of Department Training Officer, Field Training Officer, and Public Relations Officer. I received specialized training from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Indiana State Department of Toxicology, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Instructor Development School, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Police Chief Administration School, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Police Chief Administration School, and Indiana State Coroners Association Certified Mediocolegal Death Investigator. My experience with county government includes 10 years as Jay County Coroner, and four years as a deputy coroner, and four years as county councilman. This has given me the experience in maintaining and reviewing the guidelines of the county budgets."
Louth - "There were two separate situations. The first, two years ago when a young boy was lost in a corn field. I called in to the sheriff's department for directions to the corn field and was sent to 400 South and 700 West. I couldn't find the location and finally had to follow a flying aircraft to the site which was on 200 North, 6 miles west of my house. We stood in the family's front yard for two hours watching the parents and their anxiety as we did nothing. Then we moved to the road and waited an additional 4.5 hours before we swept the field and found the boy. There was no command and control.
"The second, while I was at a veterans' event talking to a neighboring county sheriff, he asked me why Jay County was not working meth making facilities. I asked him what made him think they were not. His reply was 'I called and gave names to your sheriff but I could tell it was not going anywhere.' I then made inquiries to some Jay County businessmen and I was shocked to find out that the businessmen called the sheriff's department multiple times. The sheriff's department never responded, so the businessmen finally had to call the state police.
"I have experience in the police field, budgetary experience, leadership experience, and instructor training experience. I have a strong work ethic and experience working with the public. I have training and knowledge with haz-mat and IDEM laws and requirements. I own and operate two of my own businesses. My overall training and experience makes the difference."
What do you believe to be the most pressing issues facing the next Jay County Sheriff? How would you approach solving that issue?
Newton - "There will be several important issues confronting the next Jay County Sheriff. One of the most pressing issues would be the Jay County Security Center. The security center has past incidents involving a lack of security. If elected sheriff, I assure you that strict security measures will always be in place. I will make it my priority that all employees follow the department's standard operation procedures, and that the department has an adequate jail officer ratio per shift to all inmates. This will create a safe facility for employees, inmates, and the community. Keeping our children safe before, during and after school will always be a priority of my administration. It will also be a priority of mine to address the methamphetamine problems in Jay County and the crimes against people and property that stem from it."
Barnett - "Walking in on Jan. 1, 2007, and running an efficient and professional sheriff's department. To assist small communities that do not have full-time law enforcement officers, cut down on crimes against people and property, support drug education and prevention, and to seek grant funding to improve services in our county.
"Encourage better use of resources among emergency services. To assist county residents such as Pastor Randy Davis as he attempts to educate the Redkey community to be proactive at learning all they can at the BAM meetings regarding methamphetamine and how to combat it. To administer a budget of your hard-earned tax dollars while managing a security facility and staff that best serves the county."
Louth - "Drug enforcement. For drug enforcement sector policing is needed. Divide the county up by the number of deputies, which I will also include myself. When they come on duty, they will patrol their sector when not answering calls. They will get to know what buildings or houses are abandoned and what vehicles belong to houses that are lived in. Meth makers use abandoned houses for their labs. So deputies will investigate these abandoned buildings or houses for vehicles or people. A plus to this is that this technique also stops robberies and home invasions. When a vehicle is at a residence that it does not belong at, deputies will watch activities. I plan to put in the paper each officer and their assigned patrol areas. As sheriff I will hold monthly meetings at the following towns: Bryant, Dunkirk, Redkey, Salamonia, Pennville and Portland. A time and location will be posted in the paper and on the radio and times will be changed each month so that first, second, and third shift taxpayers can attend. For Portland, these meetings will be held at the courthouse. All respective police agencies will be involved. By using sector policing, the sheriff's department will not invade taxpayers' privacy.
"911 training - The training sessions held will be mandatory attendance. There will be cards available to help coach the operator through a call. Operators will learn county mapping system.
"School safety - Train the Jay County educational staff on security and how and what to do if violence erupts. Work with the different police agencies on tactics of school violence to counter the threat. Have a deputy on the road watching traffic going to the high school. Have an officer walk all hallways in a day at alternating times. Have training sessions with scenarios involving all schools and respective police agencies."
Jay County Commissioners have discussed the possibility of entering into a contract with the Jay County Sheriff to set an established pay for the position, as opposed to the current situation in which the sheriff retains the unspent portion of meal money for inmates. What is your position on that proposal, and what would be a fair salary for the position?
Newton - "I have been very open with the public about working with county officials to reach an agreement for an annual salary contract. The sheriff's current salary, which is over $100,000 per year, 60 percent of this comes from profits made from inmates meal money. My opinion is that much of this money could be better utilized on manpower and equipment, instead of the sheriff profiting financially. I believe the wrong message would be sent to the voters if the focus was to be put on who will do the job the cheapest, instead of who is the best candidate for this position. However, I am sure that a fair salary for the position of Jay County Sheriff will be reached."
Barnett - "Indiana Code IC 36-2-13-2.8 Alternate Compensation for Sheriff's Section (c) A county that pays a sheriff's compensation under this section shall pay the sheriff as follows subparagraph (2) in a county having a population of (a) more than 20,000 and (b) not more than 40,000; in the county must pay the sheriff an annual salary that is equal to at least 60 percent of the annual minimum salary that would be paid by the state to a full-time prosecuting attorney in the county. If asked to negotiate for a contract, the explanation of the above mentioned Indiana law would be a good starting point."
Louth - "My intent to run was never about the money. And I do not know what the base salary is, but was astonished by the total dollar amount received by the sheriff. Any unspent monies should go back to the county and not to the sheriff. Our county has very good commissioners and I will sit down with them and work out a salary."
Several years ago, Jay County acquired a building at the corner of West Main and Ship Streets to use if an expansion of the current county jail was necessary. Do you believe that expansion will be necessary over the next four years, and if so, what capacity/features should be included?
Newton - "The sheriff's department has outgrown the current administration area and will eventually outgrow the secured area as well. The administration area is currently occupied by twice as many employees as it was designed for in 1984, due in part to the implementation of the 911 system. I would be in favor of, and would support any decision to expand the facility, but that decision would ultimately be made by the Jay County Commissioners and the Jay County Council. My belief is that any decision made, should be based on the premise of what is best for the future and not what is the cheapest option at this time."
Barnett - "I do not believe we need a new jail. I don't think that the county can afford a new jail at this time. I do not think the taxpayers want to pay for a new jail. I think we should wait until we are mandated to build and then work with the Jay County Commissioners on this project."
Louth - "Expansion will happen in the future, maybe in the fourth year. Some of the timing will depend on what state and federal grants become available so the taxpayers do not have to pay out more money in county taxes.
"This building should be as energy efficient as possible and should be able to retrofit any system easily for labor costs and expansion. It also should have a perimeter fencing system and alarm system. There should be a state of the art camera system for the interior and exterior of the facility, a room for courtroom video feeds so prisoners will not be moved out of security to Jay County Courthouse. This will free up a deputy for patrol. The security center also needs a room for family visitations.
"The security center should have straight corridors to enhance visibility. There needs to be a security center to open and lock cell doors automatically together or separately. All hallways should have main locks before getting into lockdown area. Then additional locks are needed so that you only have a small group of prisoners at a time. Should have a locked area inside and outside for the staff's break area."
If there is one thing you want to make sure the voters know about you or the office you are seeking, what would that be?
Newton - "I want the voters to know, if elected sheriff, I will do my very best to run the Jay County Sheriff's Department in a professional manner, and will encourage teamwork between all emergency response personnel and departments. I am committed to the people of Jay County and your desire to make our communities a safe place to live. I will continue to listen to the citizens on their concerns regarding these issues and will address them in a timely manner. I look forward to serving you, the citizens of Jay County."
Barnett - "I feel with my experience in law enforcement and my interpersonal skills to achieve support for my ideas, it would be an honor and a privilege to serve you, the citizens of Jay County, as sheriff. Your past votes of support in electing me coroner and county councilman is proof of your confidence in me. In the 14 years total in those elected offices I have listened to your ideas and performed in a professional manner. Your vote will represent proven leadership and experience to address the issues we face in our county. With your vote, I pledge continued loyalty and diligent work ethic toward law enforcement and crime prevention for our county. Thank you for all your support and our vote on election day will be appreciated."
Louth - "That the sheriff's office belongs to the county and should run the way taxpayers want it, with their input. I will lead by example and I am a hard worker and will be looking for ways to save the county money while giving the best security. I will personally review all policies. I will initiate a bi-annual review of deputies to further their professionalism. I will work with all police agencies and coordinate training and setup of S.O.P.'s. I will help improve school safety, improve response times by dispatching correctly and to go after the drug makers and drug traffickers."[[In-content Ad]]
Republican Larry "Ray" Newton, who has a 15-year career with the Jay County Sheriff's Department; Mark Barnett, a Democrat and long-time Portland police officer with more than 22 years in law enforcement; and independent candidate Brian H. Louth, a long-time reserve on the Portland Police Department, will all be looking to capture the seat currently held by Sheriff Todd Penrod.
Penrod is completing his second term in office and is not permitted to seek another term.
Newton and Louth are both making their first runs for a political office, while Barnett has successfully sought the seat of Jay County Councilman and was twice elected as Jay County Coroner.
A resident of 1093 West 200 South, Portland, Newton is a 1981 graduate of Jay County High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy that year and served until 1985. After leaving the military, he enrolled at Indiana Vocational Technical School and graduated in 1989 with an associate degree in applied science. He is also a 1991 graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
A member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portland and its Knights of Columbus, the Portland Morning Optimist Club, and the Indiana Sheriff's Association, Newton and his wife, the former Cindy Saxman, have three daughters, Chelsea, age 12, Sarah, age 9, and Gabrielle, age 4.
He is also a member of the Blackford County Emergency Response Team (SWAT).
Barnett is a 1979 graduate of Jay County High School and served in the U.S. army from 1980 to 1984 where he earned the Good Conduct Medal/Overseas Ribbon. After joining the Portland Police Department as a reserve patrolman in 1984, he was named reserve sergeant in 1986 and hired as a patrolman in 1988. He graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1989 and was promoted to sergeant with the department in 1990. In 1998 he was named assistant chief of police and since 2004 has been a patrolman on the department.
He is also a graduate of the Indiana State Department of Toxicology as a Breathalyzer operator, the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Instructor Development School, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Police Chief Administration School, and is also an Indiana State Coroners Association certified medicolegal death investigator.
Barnett's first term as coroner was from 1992 to 2000, and he was elected to a four year term again in 2004. He served from 2000 to 2004 as a member of the Jay County Council.
He and his wife, the former Lisa Hummer, have one daughter, Amanda.
He is a member and deacon of the West Walnut Street Church of Christ, is a member of the Indiana State Coroner's Association, American Legion Post 211, and is a Jay County Band Booster.
Brian H. Louth, a resident of 646 East 200 North, Portland, is a 1981 graduate of Mendon Union High School.
He is also a graduate of Van Wert, Ohio, Vocational School where he received training in DECA management training and advanced welding.
He has been employed as lead maintenance man at Tyson Mexican Original for the past 11 years and receives 80 hours of haz-mat training annually. He has taken basic classes in maintenance, welding and cutting, trouble shooting, refrigeration and air conditioning, pneumatics, hydraulics, chains and sprockets and gearboxes,and leadership training.
Through the Portland Police Department he has received pre-basic officer training, emergency vehicle training. He receives 16 hours of additional training annually and hascompleted First Responder Training.
He has taken wastewater operations classes through ITT Technical School in Fort Wayne, and through Jay County's adult education program studied computer-aided drafting.
Serving as a U.S. Army reservist for the past 25 years, Louth has attended nuclear biological chemical signifier school, explosives demolitions school, taken the basic non-commissioned officers' course (management training), advanced non-commissioned officer course (management training), defensive driving course, advanced combat leadership course, haz-mat and ammo, ammo distribution and accountability, risk management, accident avoidance, law of the land warfare, hot and cold weather injury prevention, and personnel retention.
A member of the Church of the Brethren in Portland and the American Legion, Louth and his wife Kay, have three daughters, Briana, Kelsey and Haley, and one son, Lance.
The candidates recently completed questions offered to them by The Commercial Review. Here are their responses:
What motivated you to run for sheriff? What specific characteristics or qualities make you the best candidate for the position?
Newton - "Running for sheriff has been a goal of mine since I began my career. It was a decision that I did not make overnight, but a decision that was carefully thought about over the years. I have prepared myself by learning from the past sheriffs to the present sheriff, and most importantly, listening to the public on their concerns on what a sheriff should be. I want to take the sheriff's department into the future and make this department an agency that we all can be proud of.
"What characteristics make me the best candidate? My love for the job as a police officer. I am a man who believes in honesty, leadership, and professionalism. These characteristics I will bring to the department if elected your next sheriff. I want all personnel to believe in this to make the department better."
Barnett - "I have over 22 years of experience in law enforcement, and I feel that I am capable of enhancing the welfare of our county if elected sheriff. With the current sheriff's term limitations, this is the perfect time to run for sheriff. As a member of the Portland Police Department, I have held the rank of sergeant for eight years and assistant chief of police for six years. I have been assigned the positions of Department Training Officer, Field Training Officer, and Public Relations Officer. I received specialized training from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Indiana State Department of Toxicology, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Instructor Development School, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Police Chief Administration School, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Police Chief Administration School, and Indiana State Coroners Association Certified Mediocolegal Death Investigator. My experience with county government includes 10 years as Jay County Coroner, and four years as a deputy coroner, and four years as county councilman. This has given me the experience in maintaining and reviewing the guidelines of the county budgets."
Louth - "There were two separate situations. The first, two years ago when a young boy was lost in a corn field. I called in to the sheriff's department for directions to the corn field and was sent to 400 South and 700 West. I couldn't find the location and finally had to follow a flying aircraft to the site which was on 200 North, 6 miles west of my house. We stood in the family's front yard for two hours watching the parents and their anxiety as we did nothing. Then we moved to the road and waited an additional 4.5 hours before we swept the field and found the boy. There was no command and control.
"The second, while I was at a veterans' event talking to a neighboring county sheriff, he asked me why Jay County was not working meth making facilities. I asked him what made him think they were not. His reply was 'I called and gave names to your sheriff but I could tell it was not going anywhere.' I then made inquiries to some Jay County businessmen and I was shocked to find out that the businessmen called the sheriff's department multiple times. The sheriff's department never responded, so the businessmen finally had to call the state police.
"I have experience in the police field, budgetary experience, leadership experience, and instructor training experience. I have a strong work ethic and experience working with the public. I have training and knowledge with haz-mat and IDEM laws and requirements. I own and operate two of my own businesses. My overall training and experience makes the difference."
What do you believe to be the most pressing issues facing the next Jay County Sheriff? How would you approach solving that issue?
Newton - "There will be several important issues confronting the next Jay County Sheriff. One of the most pressing issues would be the Jay County Security Center. The security center has past incidents involving a lack of security. If elected sheriff, I assure you that strict security measures will always be in place. I will make it my priority that all employees follow the department's standard operation procedures, and that the department has an adequate jail officer ratio per shift to all inmates. This will create a safe facility for employees, inmates, and the community. Keeping our children safe before, during and after school will always be a priority of my administration. It will also be a priority of mine to address the methamphetamine problems in Jay County and the crimes against people and property that stem from it."
Barnett - "Walking in on Jan. 1, 2007, and running an efficient and professional sheriff's department. To assist small communities that do not have full-time law enforcement officers, cut down on crimes against people and property, support drug education and prevention, and to seek grant funding to improve services in our county.
"Encourage better use of resources among emergency services. To assist county residents such as Pastor Randy Davis as he attempts to educate the Redkey community to be proactive at learning all they can at the BAM meetings regarding methamphetamine and how to combat it. To administer a budget of your hard-earned tax dollars while managing a security facility and staff that best serves the county."
Louth - "Drug enforcement. For drug enforcement sector policing is needed. Divide the county up by the number of deputies, which I will also include myself. When they come on duty, they will patrol their sector when not answering calls. They will get to know what buildings or houses are abandoned and what vehicles belong to houses that are lived in. Meth makers use abandoned houses for their labs. So deputies will investigate these abandoned buildings or houses for vehicles or people. A plus to this is that this technique also stops robberies and home invasions. When a vehicle is at a residence that it does not belong at, deputies will watch activities. I plan to put in the paper each officer and their assigned patrol areas. As sheriff I will hold monthly meetings at the following towns: Bryant, Dunkirk, Redkey, Salamonia, Pennville and Portland. A time and location will be posted in the paper and on the radio and times will be changed each month so that first, second, and third shift taxpayers can attend. For Portland, these meetings will be held at the courthouse. All respective police agencies will be involved. By using sector policing, the sheriff's department will not invade taxpayers' privacy.
"911 training - The training sessions held will be mandatory attendance. There will be cards available to help coach the operator through a call. Operators will learn county mapping system.
"School safety - Train the Jay County educational staff on security and how and what to do if violence erupts. Work with the different police agencies on tactics of school violence to counter the threat. Have a deputy on the road watching traffic going to the high school. Have an officer walk all hallways in a day at alternating times. Have training sessions with scenarios involving all schools and respective police agencies."
Jay County Commissioners have discussed the possibility of entering into a contract with the Jay County Sheriff to set an established pay for the position, as opposed to the current situation in which the sheriff retains the unspent portion of meal money for inmates. What is your position on that proposal, and what would be a fair salary for the position?
Newton - "I have been very open with the public about working with county officials to reach an agreement for an annual salary contract. The sheriff's current salary, which is over $100,000 per year, 60 percent of this comes from profits made from inmates meal money. My opinion is that much of this money could be better utilized on manpower and equipment, instead of the sheriff profiting financially. I believe the wrong message would be sent to the voters if the focus was to be put on who will do the job the cheapest, instead of who is the best candidate for this position. However, I am sure that a fair salary for the position of Jay County Sheriff will be reached."
Barnett - "Indiana Code IC 36-2-13-2.8 Alternate Compensation for Sheriff's Section (c) A county that pays a sheriff's compensation under this section shall pay the sheriff as follows subparagraph (2) in a county having a population of (a) more than 20,000 and (b) not more than 40,000; in the county must pay the sheriff an annual salary that is equal to at least 60 percent of the annual minimum salary that would be paid by the state to a full-time prosecuting attorney in the county. If asked to negotiate for a contract, the explanation of the above mentioned Indiana law would be a good starting point."
Louth - "My intent to run was never about the money. And I do not know what the base salary is, but was astonished by the total dollar amount received by the sheriff. Any unspent monies should go back to the county and not to the sheriff. Our county has very good commissioners and I will sit down with them and work out a salary."
Several years ago, Jay County acquired a building at the corner of West Main and Ship Streets to use if an expansion of the current county jail was necessary. Do you believe that expansion will be necessary over the next four years, and if so, what capacity/features should be included?
Newton - "The sheriff's department has outgrown the current administration area and will eventually outgrow the secured area as well. The administration area is currently occupied by twice as many employees as it was designed for in 1984, due in part to the implementation of the 911 system. I would be in favor of, and would support any decision to expand the facility, but that decision would ultimately be made by the Jay County Commissioners and the Jay County Council. My belief is that any decision made, should be based on the premise of what is best for the future and not what is the cheapest option at this time."
Barnett - "I do not believe we need a new jail. I don't think that the county can afford a new jail at this time. I do not think the taxpayers want to pay for a new jail. I think we should wait until we are mandated to build and then work with the Jay County Commissioners on this project."
Louth - "Expansion will happen in the future, maybe in the fourth year. Some of the timing will depend on what state and federal grants become available so the taxpayers do not have to pay out more money in county taxes.
"This building should be as energy efficient as possible and should be able to retrofit any system easily for labor costs and expansion. It also should have a perimeter fencing system and alarm system. There should be a state of the art camera system for the interior and exterior of the facility, a room for courtroom video feeds so prisoners will not be moved out of security to Jay County Courthouse. This will free up a deputy for patrol. The security center also needs a room for family visitations.
"The security center should have straight corridors to enhance visibility. There needs to be a security center to open and lock cell doors automatically together or separately. All hallways should have main locks before getting into lockdown area. Then additional locks are needed so that you only have a small group of prisoners at a time. Should have a locked area inside and outside for the staff's break area."
If there is one thing you want to make sure the voters know about you or the office you are seeking, what would that be?
Newton - "I want the voters to know, if elected sheriff, I will do my very best to run the Jay County Sheriff's Department in a professional manner, and will encourage teamwork between all emergency response personnel and departments. I am committed to the people of Jay County and your desire to make our communities a safe place to live. I will continue to listen to the citizens on their concerns regarding these issues and will address them in a timely manner. I look forward to serving you, the citizens of Jay County."
Barnett - "I feel with my experience in law enforcement and my interpersonal skills to achieve support for my ideas, it would be an honor and a privilege to serve you, the citizens of Jay County, as sheriff. Your past votes of support in electing me coroner and county councilman is proof of your confidence in me. In the 14 years total in those elected offices I have listened to your ideas and performed in a professional manner. Your vote will represent proven leadership and experience to address the issues we face in our county. With your vote, I pledge continued loyalty and diligent work ethic toward law enforcement and crime prevention for our county. Thank you for all your support and our vote on election day will be appreciated."
Louth - "That the sheriff's office belongs to the county and should run the way taxpayers want it, with their input. I will lead by example and I am a hard worker and will be looking for ways to save the county money while giving the best security. I will personally review all policies. I will initiate a bi-annual review of deputies to further their professionalism. I will work with all police agencies and coordinate training and setup of S.O.P.'s. I will help improve school safety, improve response times by dispatching correctly and to go after the drug makers and drug traffickers."[[In-content Ad]]
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