Why Are You Running for Sheriff?

Why are you running for sheriff?

I believe the people of Gila County are not receiving services and protection that they should be receiving for their tax dollars.

Why are you the better candidate?

I have better people skills dealing with the employees and the public. I am able to relate to people on all economic and ethnic levels. I am also able to think outside the box and make things happen.

What is the No. 1 issue facing GCSO? How would you address this issue?

The number of deputies that we have working on the streets are not substantially enough to cover the entire county, whereas the number of administrators highly exceed the amount of supervision needed for the number of deputies. There are 15 administrators and only 31 deputies. The solution is more deputies on the street and less administrators.

What are your thoughts on the budget? Facilities? Staffing?

The 2017 Budget and Expenditures/Expenses for the GCSO is $13,798,321.00. The Sheriff’s department has 164 .94 employees with that budget. With this amount of a yearly budget, we should be able to take care of the existing facilities and reworking staff to be able to place more deputies on the street.

What do you think the GCSO could be doing better?

Delivering better services to the people of our county by having better response times and the right attitude and training to deal with every call in the appropriate manner, no matter how small, to make sure the job is done correctly. We need to show the people that they are getting services that their tax payer dollars have paid for.

Please talk a little about your background.

I started my career as a reserve deputy with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Lyman Peace. (During my career with the Gila County Sheriff Office, I worked for 3 different sheriffs). As a reserve, I became a Certified Law Enforcer Officer. While connected with the Gila County Sheriff’s Department, I worked in several areas such as a jailer and re-opened the Payson Jail after it was condemned. I went from there to being a Patrol Deputy, Water-craft Officer, School Resource Officer, DARE Officer, and Narcotics Task Force Agent. I was also an Arizona Post Training Officer and a certified Water-craft Instructor. I belonged to the Gila County Sheriff’s Dive Team. I have worked in every district and area in Gila County (Pine/Strawberry, Payson, Christopher Creek, Young, Tonto Basin, Roosevelt, Globe, Miami, and Hayden-Winkleman). I have also worked for Miami Police Department as a Patrol Officer and the Tonto Apache Tribe as a Patrol Officer.

Why did you get into Law Enforcement?

My older brother was killed in Vietnam in 1969. I was only 10 years old. At an early age, I decided that I would have to do something that would make my brother proud of me. As the years continued, I tried to do just that. As a School Resource Officer and parent, I told the students I believe there are only two kinds of people in the world. You are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem. I believe that going into Law Enforcement placed me in the category as part of the solution. That is why I am running for Sheriff!

Is there anything else?

I have always been a part of my Community. I believe that you need to be a part of your community not just have an address there. I have been involved in 4-H, Civil Air Patrol, Little League Coach, Payson Rodeo Committee, Elks Lodge Member, Boys & Girls Club, Boy Scouts Leader, Gila County Cattle Growers, Choir Boys Law Enforcement Organization, F.O.P., Past President Kwiana’s Club, Political Committeeman, along with participating in numerous charity organizations and fundraisers.

I believe the sheriff needs to have Integrity and Common Sense.

I believe the sheriff needs to be Conservative with the tax dollars.

I believe the sheriff needs to be Approachable and Accessible to the public.

And most of all, I believe the sheriff needs to be DEDICATED AND LOYAL TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF GILA COUNTY.

I know that I possess these qualities.