Posted: 9/5/06
Four to square off in sheriff's primary race
Houston County voters will narrow the field of sheriff candidates from four to two at primary elections on Tuesday, September 12,
The candidates are Doug Ely, Ken Frank, Brian Swedberg, and Peggy Thorson.
The Argus sent questionnaires to each candidate. Here are the questions and their responses.
1) Why are you running for sheriff?
ELY: I am running for Sheriff, because I believe that every person in Houston County has the right to have a Sheriffís Department that can protect and serve its citizens in the most effective way possible. We need to get back into the people business. Protect and serve is the motto for every law enforcement agency in this country, Now, is the time for that motto to be more then just words on a Police Car. It is time that we protect and serve our County. It is time for a change.
FRANK: I have often thought of myself as being very fortunate to have a career as a law enforcement officer. Being a good and fair officer has been the focus throughout my entire career. This is one of the reasons why while I was working as a Deputy Sheriff, I returned to college and successfully received my Bachelors Degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice. In order to better serve my community, I have continued my law enforcement education and training, well above what is required by the state. I have lived in Houston County my entire life and have established deep roots and a commitment to the people of this County.
ÝI believe that the people of Houston County deserve a Sheriff that has not merely met the minimum requirements, but has continuously raised the bar, a Sheriff that is deeply ingrained within the communities of this County, a Sheriff who has been dedicated to law enforcement for 25 years.
SWEDBERG: I am running for the office of Sheriff because I believe that I have the necessary education and experience for it. I want to see the sheriffís office continue to be an effective law enforcement agency. I can bring years of dedication, determination, stability, and change to the office, which is needed to be an effective department.
THORSON: I am running for Sheriff because I think I can bring some qualities to the table that are fresh. I believe I possess the many qualifications necessary to be a good leader and communicator. In addition I am willing to set standards above average and expect results that are far above average. I am running for Sheriff because this is the place my husband grew up in as a child and it is the home we have chosen to raise our 4 children and continue our family roots. Due to raising 4 children hereÝin this area I have a pretty good feel for the deficits as well as the many good attributes this area offers to families. Our children are presently at theÝages of 24, 22, 20 and 18. I am running because I care about living in a safe and secure place. A community educated in the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol and because I care aboutÝthe image and standards embraced by our sheriffs department. I think I can make a difference in helping to maintain continuous improvement.
2) What experiences qualify you for this job?
ELY: With my Law Enforcement education and background, and my Managerial experience I have the knowledge and the ability to make the changes that need to be made in the Sheriffís Office. I have made a budget from start to finish for a multi-million dollar business and followed it through to the end. I have what it takes to make the Sheriffís Department run like a successful business should.
FRANK: I have learned this job from the ground up. My career began as a Jailer/Dispatcher, continued as a Deputy Sheriff, a D.A.R.E. instructor, was promoted to lieutenant and appointed as Chief Deputy, my current position. I have walked in the shoes of most employees of the Houston County Sheriffís Office and know the commitment required of them. As chief deputy sheriff I am currently running the day-to-day operations of the office, overseeing divisions such as civil process, criminal investigations, patrol and the jail.
During the past 25 years, I have played an important role in nearly every major criminal investigation conducted by the Houston County Sheriffís Office, many of these cases as a lead investigator.
I know first hand what resources are needed for the various investigations. I have the contacts within the law enforcement community to provide needed resources in a timely and cost effective manner.
SWEDBERG: I started at the Houston County Sheriffís office in 1991 as a Jailer/dispatcher. Throughout the years I worked hard to make a positive improvement to the department. For that, I was promoted to a deputy, and then to Lieutenant. And as sheriff, I will continue to have the same determination to make a positive improvement for the department and the citizens of Houston County. I have a great working relationship with all the local law enforcement agencies and related agencies, which takes time and determination to establish. The Sheriffís office serves the whole county; this includes assistance to the local city law enforcement jurisdictions. My positive working relationship with other law enforcements, city and surrounding counties, will implement a true county sheriffís office. Years of service do not make a good sheriff, willingness to work and giving it your all are more important; I have had the opportunity to demonstrate these qualities through my job at Lieutenant. I have been with the sheriffís office for 15 years. As many may know the current sheriff had no prior sheriffís office experience before his employment with Houston County Sheriffís office. I have 15 more years than the present sheriff that was appointed.
THORSON: At the great age of 52 I feel that my entire life has contributed to what qualifies me to be Sheriff. Professionally I have 17 years of experience working within the Criminal Justice field. I have been a police officer on the road for 8 years in a metropolitan area where statistically 1 year of my work experience equals 5-10 years work experience in the rural area. I have worked with both offenders as well as the victims of crime. I have 5 years of teaching law enforcement students everything from Police Tactics, Criminal Investigation skills, advance Criminal Investigation skills, Interviewing techniques & Police Report Writing to name a few subjects. I currently work with offenders and all jail staff in a neighboring county (Wisconsin) on a daily basis as the county coordinator for Justice Programs. I have a tremendous amount of knowledge in regards to drugs and alcohol abuse and misuse because I coordinate our Drug Court. Drug CourtÝis a court based intensive out-patient treatment based program with the goal of long term recovery in conjunction with restorative justice principles (RJ). RJ principals balance punishment with true offender accountability and the avenues to begin changing their thinking and behaviors. Punishment is not the sole answer to corrective behavior as anyone who has raised a child or has been around children or works with children knows.
I support programs that place individuals in our jails and prisons that truly pose a danger to you, me and our families. ÝIt is a known fact that most offenders are going to be released and be outÝand among us again in a few years or less. I am for programs that assist them in changing their behavior from criminal thinking for survival to being a contributing member of society. Yes, it can be done, not for all but for many. I also have years of early prevention and intervention skills that can be utilized.
I have been through many leadership, management, budgeting/finance classes but most importantly I have had the opportunity to put what I have learned into practice.ÝÝI have attended and graduated from such trainings as the well known nation wideÝpolice work shop ìStreet Survivalâ and have been a participant in many special tactics squads and maneuvers. I was a trained fire fighter for 7 years and can still use the wisdom and knowledge learned. I have experience at the county level as a social services supervisor with advanced training in child abuse investigations.
In regards to formal education, I have a Masters degree in Public Administration and my 4 year undergraduate degree is a double major in Law Enforcement and Corrections. More important then my education is that every job I have ever held has in some way prepared me for working with the public and in making good decisions and learning from error along the way. I have been a good learner from my mistakes. I know the importance of enforcing laws and/or regulations with dignity and respect above all for the victim(s) as well as for the offender and to practice and utilize discretion with equal tenacity and fairness. I also realize that I have so much more to learn and that I cannot know or be the expert in all areas so it is crucial to hire people that are well rounded, good officers and try to fill gaps and voids at the same time utilizing their expertise and specialty areas.
3) What are the biggest challenges that the department faces?
ELY: To make the public feel like the Police are on there side. The people I have talked to, say they feel like the Sheriffís Department goes out of there way to have a reason to stop them. There are much bigger challenges that all Law Enforcement Departments face. We need to make sure the Sheriffís Office works well with all other Law Enforcement agencies in the County to get the bad guys off the streets. The countyís peace of mind will come with a job well done.
FRANK: The biggest challenge will always be for a small rural department like ours to meet the increasing demands on law enforcement with limited resources. Criminal, jail, courts and civil process are a constant demand on the sheriffís office. The abuse of drugs, which is directly linked to criminal activity, will also be a constant burden on law enforcement and the people of Houston County. We need to continue close relationships with the Southeastern Minnesota Narcotic and Gang Task Force, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and law enforcement agencies from around the tri state area. I see the need for continued public input and any information received will be promptly followed up on. I also believe the county jail needs to recognize chemical dependency issues and work towards making services available that can help establish rehabilitation goals. Law enforcement also needs to become more involved in the education of our youth and adults on the dangers of substance abuse.
SWEDBERG: The biggest challenge that the department faces is change. I agreed with my opponent that the department needs changes, but I am the only one that is running for the position of sheriff that knows what internal changes need to be made, and has the willingness to do so. I have worked under three sheriffs and personally experienced what works for the office and what doesnít. I also have good understanding of technology and what law enforcement of the future will be. I will be able to lead the office through the needed changes with the experience and knowledge needed.
THORSON: The biggest problems we face in Houston County today, right this minutes is our illegal Drug problems. ÝWithout actually being an employee at this time, it is difficult to say what is or is not being done about this issue. One thing for certain is, if IÝam able toÝnarrow down who they are as a citizen, enough is not being done. This is certainly an area that I would begin looking at immediately with a concentration on Meth and the entire opiate family of drugs. People, cocaine and Meth are here doing their ugly work!
Secondly from the viewpoint of a citizen, financesÝare another issue. Along with finances is the issue of the building of a new facility and number of deputies (we are very lean in personnel but are perhaps to top heavy in management positions?). The final issue that I believe faces our sheriffs department is contact with the public and department image. As a citizen I have heard many wonderful reports about the contactÝmany citizens have had with our department; to the contrary I have had face to face reports from individuals that have had contact that is very disturbing. Until you are right in the department with access to all records, reports and details it is not possible to draw a fair conclusion on this topic at this time, other then it needs to be a top priority as public contact and image will make or break your department. Being tough on crime does not mean your image needs to go down the tubers!
4) What works well in the department and what could be improved?
ELY: The Office as a whole works good, there are problems that most businesses have. With any business that has several employees you will always have some sort of problems. As Sheriff, I will make sure that the Sheriffís Office works with every agency in the County not just Law Enforcement, not caring who gets the credit for an arrest but making sure that the criminal getís their punishment.
FRANK: Over the past several years we have developed and refined an outstanding Sheriffís department. From the office support staff, to dispatcher/jailers to the deputies and investigators, all are committed professionals dedicated to serving their community.
Criminal investigations, civil process, E-911 dispatch and the jail are working very well. This is evident by our crime clearance rate, which is near three times the national average. Civil process generates revenues of nearly $100,000 annually. With recent updates, addressing and mapping, E-911 dispatch is better prepared than ever to handle whatever crisis may arise. The jail is handling record numbers of inmates and providing safe and secure environments and transportations for those inmates. The fact that we are operating in the oldest jail in the Midwest is a testament to the efficiency of this office.
The most important change I would implement is to improve our community policing and crime prevention efforts. In my campaign platform, I promote opening satellite offices throughout the county within the cities and townships. With the rising cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance, we need to rethink the sheriffís patrol and create staging areas throughout the county. The presence of deputies and the sheriff at these staging areas would not only deter crime, it would provide citizens with an opportunity to interact with officers of the Houston County Sheriffís Office.
I intend on establishing a police advisory council, write a monthly article on various law enforcement topics, and I would promote better utilization of the countyís website to provide timely and relevant information to the public.
SWEDBERG: The department as a whole work well. However, the department can be run more efficiently and accountable. I have the experience in grant writing to add financially to the sheriffís office budget without adding to the tax payers responsibility. As Lieutenant, I demonstrated my ability to form accountability with the deputies. As sheriff I will be accountable to the community and expect the same of the deputies. The department needs to have better communication within itself and then out to other agencies. As I stated previously, I have an existing positive working relationship with other law enforcement agencies; I have also demonstrated my ability to communicate effectively with my coworkers and other personnel. As Sheriff will expect, the law enforcement officers to be held accountable to they duties, to promote timeliness and effectiveness. This will ultimately lead to a more efficient and cost effective office.
THORSON: I would need a minimum of aÝ1 year in the department as the Chief and CommanderÝto adequately andÝhonestly give this answer or at least a start on it. If something is working I would praise that function, but if something is inadequate or broken I would get it fixed. You say how? I would be finding out internally from staff and from you the citizens by asking the following: ÑSo, how are we doing? And How are the children?â As your Sheriff I will be out and about visually in the communities, schools and at the various social functions (where ever and when ever possible and if invited to special community events. I think the citizens hold a vast amount of information and knowledge that is not being tapped. You the people ARE the county-wide community.
5) What is your opinion on the proposed new jail and criminal justice center?
ELY: I donít know anyone that does not think we do not need a new jail. The problem that I have is how the whole thing is going down. We the people paying for this monster have no say what so ever, as to how big it is going to be or how big it should be. I know that we have people in charge, that we put there to make these decisions for us. I would like to see the next Sheriff have some sort of input to the new jail. The Sheriff is going to be held responsible for the jail.
FRANK: Law enforcement is one part of this picture and the commissioners are addressing this issue. I believe that the sheriffís manpower and resources could be better spent in a proactive manner rather than transporting inmates throughout the state. Regarding the proposed facility, I have worked my way up from a jailer/dispatcher and have the knowledge needed to operate whatever facility the Houston County Commissioners decide to build. Planning and the transition into such a new facility will also be crucial and it is essential that the sheriff have a solid understanding of all aspects of the jails operations.
SWEDBERG: Mark Schiltz, jail administrator, and others have been working on this project form many years. I respect the work and research that they have to address the need for a new facility. The commissioners have the final decision; as Sheriff I will express the needs of the county and consider the implications to the taxpayers. Houston County is growing, as is the need for jail space. The needs of the jail and the needs of the community should be both considered when making the decision on the new jail.
THORSON: A new facility is definitely needed. It is a good thing that they have hired an expert to bring together the county-wide community and PLAN for what it truly needed. You want to project far enough out into the future statistically so that a facility is built that we will not out grow within the projected life span of the building. You also want to plan a facility with the option or avenue for expansion by either adding onto the facility or byÝbuilding up with another level. It does not need to be Ñon the cutting edgeâ or provide plush offices; the facility only needs to meet the mandates required by law, period.
6. Any other comments?
ELY: I would like to thank all the people I have talked to, and I want you to know that I also listened. I know it is not the size of your sign or how many you have that matters. I could have listed all the reasons that I should be the next Sheriff of Houston County. I think I will leave it to the voters of Houston County. They know itís time for some change.
SWEDBERG: A lot of people, including police officers, donít understand that a sheriffís office is more than dealing with traffic and criminal laws. The sheriff has the responsibility of civil procedures through levying on people wage, bank accounts, and property. The sheriff has to deal with search warrants and seizures of peopleís property. The sheriff has a responsibility to run the jail effectively and efficiently. The sheriff has the responsibility to transport inmates to and from jail and prison, and transporting people to and from mental health units. I have this experience and knowledge to be your sheriff.
I have been an active member of this community all my life. I have spent many days walking and talking to the citizens in every town of Houston County within the past months. I have taken this opportunity to listen to your concerns and advice; I will continue to listen to the community when I am Sheriff. This shows that I care about the Houston County community, not just during an election, but before, during, and after.
THORSON: If you have questions or concerns and would like to speak with me about a topic or issueÝthat youÝfeel is important I would be happy to make the time to talk to you now just as I would or will when and if elected as your sheriff.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com