Messages

Well I didn't go into last night with a post prepared for if I lost. It's simply not how I work and, quite honestly it was not what I expected to happen. That being said, the night ended with me only receiving 42% of the vote. I don't know the how or the why, nor do I know what I could have done differently, if anything, to affect the outcome. In the end it really just boils down to the majority of the voters not being ready for change.

I do want to thank all of you who supported me. To those of you who had conversations with me expressing your concerns, and to those who were counting on my campaign's success, I'm sorry to have let you down.

If you see Sheriff Hanks around town, be sure to congratulate him, regardless of which side of the election you were on. Much like our country, our community needs to stand together in moving forward. Politics seems to bring out some very strong feelings in people and it's important when all the turmoil is over that we continue to be neighbors and treat one another with respect.

Thank you again to each and every one of you. I am still here for you if you need anything.

I appreciate the support as always. The reason I elected not to make a public statement is because I chose to focus on what I WILL do for the county rather than anything negative about the current administration. I believe the voters to be smart enough to recognize the issues for themselves. Again, thank you for the support and for reaching out to me. I understand your situation.

I do appreciate the support that has been expressed and I value the discussions that have been had on here, however I truly am not concerning myself with the private conversations had about me or the election.  It would be perfectly understandable for some at the Sheriff's Office to have discussed the election or my campaign and I understand if some of those conversations cast me in a negative light.  As I have said before, politics brings out passionate opinions, especially for those with a stake in the outcome.  Change can be a scary thing for some and it would be easier for someone who is afraid of impending change to see that change, or the person bringing it, as the bad guy.  I do not hold that against anyone and one of the great hallmarks of our country is that we have a right to speak out and express our opinions.  I have immense respect for our constitution and those rights it serves to protect.

Joe, none of that is to say I am accusing you of anything and I definitely understand your previous post refuted that claim.  My post is not directed at that accusation in any way, but rather is intended to convey that either way, it doesn't matter.  I am glad to live in a place where people are so intensely involved in the local political process.  Far too many people around this great nation are disinterested in politics and make no effort to ensure they have a voice in who represents their interests.

Thank you to everyone, whether you support me or not, for taking some interest in this election.  Please get out on November 8th and vote and while you are there, I would be honored if you would vote for me.

Thank you to everyone that came out to Grenola to the forum. I was the only sheriff candidate in attendance with Mr. Hanks declining earlier in the day but I think it was still quite productive and I got a chance to talk to a lot of people.

I hope she has a speedy recovery.

Just a reminder for everyone to come to the candidate forum/meet & greet in Grenola tomorrow 10/11 at 6 pm at the Grenola senior center.  I'm looking forward to speaking with those that are able to attend and hope to answer your questions and concerns.

All 4 candidates have been invited to attend. This should be a worthwhile event to attend.

While not specifically addressed at me, I'd like to respond to a few things.

I agree we most definitely don't need to have an agency with the equipment you find in larger agencies like NYPD. I would never call for such things. We most certainly don't need an armored vehicle as the use of such a tool is so few and far between that maintenance on a vehicle that sat unused for its entire existence would be cost prohibitive and unreasonable.

I certainly do not want to see property taxes raised and it wouldn't be necessary to do so for more equipment for the sheriff's office. There is a budget in place and I would like to work within the framework of the alotted budget.

I haven't seen or heard of anyone asking for those things so you can rest easy.

The issues of professionalism that have been brought to my attention by members of the community were not people who were upset they got a ticket or got in trouble. In several cases they were the victim or parents of a victim that had these issues. While personality conflicts do arise, one also has to look at the fact that if someone is having personality conflicts with that large a number of people, perhaps they are the reason. The same applies to the administration of the sheriff's office. 

In regards to the deputy you spoke with, it's possible they truly don't have an issue working there and that's great. It's also entirely possible they are unwilling to discuss the internal problems with the sheriff's office with the general public. That's also a good thing.

I'll never claim to be perfect, nor will I promise not to make mistakes. All I can promise is that I will always do my job to the very best of my abilities and with the utmost professionalism. I can also promise I will expect nothing less from the deputies and will ensure the agency is staffed with qualified professionals who meet only the highest of standards.

I have never said either Doug or John is a terrible person. I have said I don't believe they behave professionally and I base that not only on my own personal observations but also on the accounts of others who have had dealings with them. It's is not my intention to sling mud and I am not trying to impune their character, but as a candidate for office it is my duty to bring to the public's attention the ways in which I believe I can improve the agency.

I appreciate the civil discussion and as I have said, we don't have to agree on everything. I certainly would appreciate everyone's vote on November 8th but I understand some of you will vote for my opponent and that won't affect the way I do my job going forward. Everyone gets one vote and it's your right to cast it as you see fit. For those that are voting for me, I am humbled by your support and faith and I will do the very best I can to provide you with an agency you can be proud of.

Good question. The victim is never the one to "file charges" and law enforcement can file a report requesting charges of place someone under arrest for the commission of a crime even without a cooperating victim. In some cases this is common, such as domestic battery. In other cases the officer will often take into account whether or not there is a cooperating victim.

In your example, there are several crimes and several victims. You would be the victim of identity theft which specifically lists the use of a financial card or the numbers. The store is the victim of theft, and the bank is the victim of criminal use of a financial card. Because you have no monetary loss, you would not be the victim of that crime.

In this case, there are felony charges and as such the suspect should be taken into custody. In the case of misdemeanors, law enforcement is limited on when they may or may not make a custodial arrest. Not everyone who commits a crime can be taken into physical custody immediately.

Sir I have never walked away from anyone that started a conversation with me. If I didn't respond to you it's because I didn't hear you. As for stopping near my vehicle while I'm going door to door, I don't drive door to door, I walk. I wouldn't have been coming back to my vehicle so my apologies if you felt slighted. That's certainly not my intention. I'm somewhat confused however because I when I went door to door in moline I walked from home and didn't have my vehicle parked anywhere. Also, the weekend of the auction a couple weeks ago I was in Chicago. I have only gone door to door in moline twice so far and both times I was walking with my wife. I'm certainly not calling you a liar but it seems there's some misunderstanding somewhere.

Again if you'd like to speak with me feel free to reach out. I understand you feel it's my responsibility to contact the voters and not the other way around which is exactly why I have gone over 100 miles door to door in this county. I'm making an effort to speak with as many people as possible. If I haven't made it to you yet I apologize. In regards to the post cards, I sent one to every address on the list of registered voters provided to me by the clerks office. I'd be happy to give you one