Publisher’s note: The following Q&As represent the candidates’ views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and have not been edited. The Primary Election will be held Aug. 6, with voters allowed to select one of the four candidates (Mike McGuire has suspended his campaign but will remain on the ballot). As all candidates have filed as Republicans, the top vote-getter will be the Republican nominee in the General Election on Nov. 5 and the presumed sheriff elect unless challenged by an Independent, filing for which is open until July 29 with certain requirements that must be met through the County Clerk’s Office. – KT

1. What experience do you have managing budgets, considering the Sheriff’s Office budget this year is $4.2 million?

I am currently the Captain with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office which is an administrative role. I assist the sheriff with the budget and order vehicles for the department. I also attended the Sheriff’s Academy in Edmond, Oklahoma.

During this training I learned best practices for budgeting for the sheriff’s office to include budgets for the jail. I know that the budget for Barry County is currently $4.2 million.

In my current role, we were able to increase the number of state certified deputies from nineteen sworn Law Enforcement to forty-five. Twenty-two of them certified deputies work on patrol. We also purchased new vehicles, rifles, shotguns, and handguns for all deputies.

We raised the pay for all employees, including the jail deputies all on a budget of $3.4 million. Total staff increased from 40-70. Our overall Budget and other money coming in is $5.2 million.

2. How do you plan to manage your time between office duties and field duties?

I will split my time in the office and on patrol. I know it is important for the citizens to be able to speak with their elected officials and I will always make myself available. But I also will be out with the deputies patrolling, and working cases just as I do in my current role.

3. What will be your timeline expectations for submitting probable cause statements to the prosecutor?

All Probable Cause affidavits will be turned in when a warrantless arrest is made. It will be our policy that it should be done before the deputies or investigator goes off duty, on the day of the arrest.

I know law enforcement officers have 24 hours to complete PC (Probable Cause) paperwork but I want the paperwork turned in while it is fresh on their minds. And l think it will help the court system to have the paperwork in a timely manner.

4. What is your opinion on the Sunshine Law and your philosophy on transparency?

I believe in transparency.

As I said from the beginning of my campaign, I will always be transparent with the public as long as it does not interfere with an ongoing investigation.

The Sunshine law assures that citizen have access to information and I fully support that.

5. If elected, how long do you plan to continue serving as/running for Sheriff?

If I am elected, I will serve as Sheriff as long as the citizens of Barry County will have me.