Morgan County Sheriff candidate Q&A

Jim Petty, Dem.  (Incumbent)

Q: What do you want to accomplish in the next four years?

A: My goals have been and will be to continue to provide the citizens with a professional and courteous sheriff's office and make Morgan County a safe place to live and work. With a budget of over $3,000,000, I want to keep operating as a successful business utilizing the extra beds to generate income. Until we started housing people for the federal government, the justice center was not a good investment. However in 2003 we started housing "I.C.E." Immigration and Custom Enforcement detainees. The first year we generated $380,854.20 for the last six months. In 2004 we generated $790,676.97, and now we receive over $1 million each year. As you can see this has to be as a business. Since 2003 we have made nearly $9,000,000 and this does not include U.S. Marshall inmates or other out of county inmates.

Q: Has the justice center been a good investment for the county?

A: In 2003 the county had about $750,000 in the bank and as of January 1, 2012 it was $2,500,000. As you can see, with fiscal responsibility and working with the County Commission we are avoiding the financial nightmare that many other counties are dealing with. In 2011 we almost broke even with the budget only transferring $124,000 from general revenue, and for this year so far we have been self-sufficient. We have not transferred any funds from general revenue to support this office other than for purchase of new vehicles which is not on my budget. The law enforcement sales tax of 1/2 cent brings in about one million dollars and we will make two million of housing this year. So, has the justice center been a good investment? YES!!

Q: What's the biggest challenge in law enforcement, and how do you handle it?

A: Our biggest challenge is to keep pressure on the drug traffic and use in the county. The three problems every county faces are drugs, stealing and domestic abuse. If we can control the drug problem, we can reduce the thefts and abuse. With the help of our citizens giving us tips and watching out for their neighbors, together we will continue to enjoy our wonderful part of the country.

Qualifications

Education

BA in Criminal Justice from CMSU and post graduate training in jail management; in 2001, attended the National Sheriff's Institute senior management program

Professional background

Worked 25 years with the Missouri Highway Patrol - six years in Maryville and 19 years in Morgan and Moniteau counties; appointed  to the MOSMART board responsible for the Deputy Sheriff's Supplemental Salary Program

Kendall Conklin, Rep.

Q: What do you want to accomplish in the next four years?

A: I would like to make Morgan County a better and safer place to residences and visitors. I have several ideas to make the sheriff's department more pro-active. The budget will have to be balanced correctly and a strict control on spending.I would like to boost moral with in the department. The staff should be proud and enjoy working for the sheriff's department, not be fearful of losing their job by doing their job, and will be held accountable for their actions. A fair and legal form of performance reviews will be established.

Q: Has the justice center been a good investment for the county?

A: Thus far the justice center has been a great investment and a good source of revenue for Morgan County. I feel that if changes are not made, particularly in the jail with the treatment of federal detainees, I fear that Morgan County residents will be left footing the bill when the Law Enforcement Tax and the federal contract for housing federal detainees is up in 2014. With out the Law Enforcement Tax and federal money the justice Center could become a financial burden to the tax payers of Morgan County.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge in law enforcement, and how do you handle it?

A: One of the biggest challenges is of course crime. Unfortunately you can not predict when and where a crime will occur. By being more pro-active and deputies being seen more in the rural parts of the county should tremendously detour crime. There is a lot more to Morgan County to protect than deputies sitting in restaurants in Versailles and patrolling Highway 5. I have had several residents convey to me that the only see sheriff's deputies when there is a problem or a special event. Several business owners have complained to me that they have never met the sheriff nor any of the deputies. Some feel they are being "short changed" when it comes to the protection being provided under the current administration. If elected your sheriff, I will do my best to address these concerns and I would appreciate your support on November 6th.

Qualifications

Education

Graduate from Morgan County R-2, Missouri Sheriff's Training Academy and has studied Criminal Justice at Drury University

Professional background

MoDOT - 12 years, City of Laurie - Reserve and Full-Time Officer, Miller County Sheriff's Department - Road Deputy, Detective, Supervisor