Three candidates seek election as sheriff

Ron Peckman, Richards, is seeking re-election as Vernon County Sheriff.

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First elected as Vernon County Sheriff in 2000, I have been under budget, and broungt in more than $640,000 in grants as well as $40,000 in seizure money back to Vernon County.

Meanwhile, the Community Narcotics Enforcement Team, in which the sheriff's office participates, has netted 22 federal indictments; seizure of 100 guns, two vehicles, $100,000 in cash, 36 pounds of methamphetamine, nine pounds of marijuana and 200 marijuana plants.

I worked with the governor's task force on cattle theft and is working with the Attorney General on a new agency assistance agreement between Missouri and Kansas.

Why are you running for sheriff?

Vernon County is my home and always has been. I care what happens to all Vernon Countians. I want Vernon County to be a safe place to live and raise your family.

List education, honors, or experiences that qualify you for this office.

I have Missouri Post certification in Law Enforcement, 24 hours of sheriff training semi-annually, 40 hours plus from Missouri Southern annually, drug training, domestic violence training, crime scene training, court room security and jail training. I started as a reserve deputy, then became deputy sheriff for eight years, then sheriff for another eight years. I am Missouri Sheriff certified.

I am a Missouri Sheriff's Board member and am on the Missouri Southern Law Enforcement Board, have been Southwest Missouri Major Case Squad president, and co-founder and board member of the Community Narcotics Enforcement team.

Honors include outstanding law enforcement for Missouri, Drug Task Force of the Year, commendations from the Missouri Attorney General and commendation from the International Narcotics Association.

List public offices held, civic organizations to which you belong, and community service with which you have been involved.

I have been a member of the Vernon County Youth Fair Board, the Masons, the Domestic Violence task force, drug court, LEPC, Safe School, Chamber of Commerce, FFA boosters, the Missouri Limousin Breeders Board, a 4-H project leader, Children's Center, Vernon County Cattleman's Association, Missouri Cattleman's Association, Bronaugh 4-H, Missouri Sheriff's Association, and the National Sheriff's Association; started DARE and school resource officer programs in Bronaugh, Sheldon and Northeast Vernon County schools in 2002.

The VCSO also provides a school resource officer in Nevada schools, beginning this year.

What do you think the major challenges faced by the department will be in the next four years?

The department will be forced to keep drug trafficking out of Vernon County. With drugs, other crimes such as assaults, burglary, theft and domestics go up. Ninety percent of those in jail can be linked back to drugs.

What do you feel is the most important things voters should know about you?

I'm a fair and honest person.

JEFFREY PRATER

Jeffrey Prater, Bronaugh, is seeking election as Vernon County Sheriff.

Why are you running for sheriff?

To move the Vernon County Sheriff's Office into the 21st century of law enforcement, and to give all communities daily representation from this office. By a community I'm not just talking about the names of towns, but to all who live in Vernon County. But most of all I have the tenacity and desire to change what is lacking and to make sure what needs to be done is done.

List education, honors or experiences that qualify you for this office.

My education starts with a college degree and over 160 college credit hours. While going to college I received an academic excellence award and a superior academic achievement award. I have a class A license from the Department of Public Safety (police officer) from here in Missouri. I have also had one in Florida. In law enforcement I have earned more than 390 CEU's that are above and beyond the requirements to keep my state certification. Some of those are human diversity, advanced human and community relations, crime prevention, domestic abuse response team leader, advanced narcotic identification, active shooter in reference to school shootings, use of force, verbal judo, sage gun less than lethal force, survival Spanish for law enforcement, operations of military trucks for disaster relief, automated external defibrillator, international police mountain bike association police bicyclist, police motorcycle and severe storm spotter, to name a few. I have received two meritorious promotions in the United States Marine Corps, I was a squad leader for a mortar squad and honorably discharged.

List public offices held, civic organizations to which you belong, and community service efforts with which you have been involved.

I spent several years in community policing, on some of the worst streets of south Florida.

I attended numerous community meetings, and listened to the request for service from law enforcement. I worked both undercover and in uniform to combat the crimes of drugs, prostitution and burglaries in the areas. I did make a difference by the numerous arrest, and participated in several great American clean ups of numerous properties. This dramatically reduced the amount of call for service and crime in these areas I worked.

While on motorcycle duty, I was responsible for security and traffic control for diplomatic and funeral motorcades.

I have also performed numerous parade motorcades for the public. I have responded to more than 2,000 calls for service and on numerous occasions I have responded to as many as 15 to 25 calls a day.

What do you think the major challenges faced by the department will be in the next four years?

One of the major challenges would be to use all the personnel of the Vernon County Sheriff's Office. I feel everyone should work their share of nights, weekends and holidays, including myself. This would put more men on the streets, and out into your communities. Next, the never ending war on drugs.

We have the tools and resources and I will use them here in Vernon County. I will let these communities and all who live in Vernon County know that you will see us a lot in the next four years or more.

What do you feel is the most important thing voters should know about you?

I believe that my training, education and experience will make a difference on how the VCSO will be run and how it will be viewed in the next four years. I have lived debt free for the past 15 years.

This I feel is very important for the handling of finances of the sheriff's office.

Also, I have worked for the sheriff's office for approximately three years.

My family and church life have been great to me over the years. Lisa is an LPN at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Jordan, my son, in the United States Marine Corps, has been sent to Japan after completing his tour of duty in Fallujah, Iraq. Megan and my granddaughter still live at home with me along with my father, Donald, and my mother, Euline.

LONNE ROWLAND

Lonne Rowland, owner of RU Ready Construction and a rural farmer, Nevada, is seeking election as Vernon County Sheriff.

Roland said, "I am an honest and dependable individual who is dedicated to make a positive improvement in Vernon County. I have been married to my wife, Jan, for 31 years. I have three daughters whom all live in Vernon County. Julie Ast is a registered nurse at Nevada Regional Medical Center and married to Kerry Ast of rural Nevada. Andi Rowland is employed as communications officer and will finish a degree in Law Enforcement in May. Shelly Rowland is following in her mother's footsteps and will become a registered nurse after graduating from nursing school this December. I take pride in my family and stand up for what is right."

Why are you running for sheriff?

I am honored to have the opportunity to be your next Sheriff. I am a lifelong resident of Vernon County and want every member of this community to feel safe and trust our local law enforcement agencies. I am dedicated to make Vernon County a safe community for yourself along with your friends and family.

List education, honors or experiences that qualify you for this office.

I graduated from Metz High School. I am a hard working, honest individual who is willing to stand up for the community and do what is right for the citizens of Vernon County. Throughout my life I have been loyal and dependable to my family and friends, and am extending this to you. I will treat the people of the community with the respect and honesty that I would expect for myself and my family

List public offices held, civic organizations to which you belong, and community service efforts with which you have been involved.

I am a member of Masonic Lodge Osage 303. As my children were growing up I was involved with the Vernon County Youth Fair, FFA and Milo-Oakdale 4-H. I have coached soccer, ssoftball and basketball for the youth in Vernon County. I was a member of GMP Local 372 of Nevada for 15 years. I helped with disaster clean-up and rebuilding after the May 5, 2003, tornado and Hurricane Katrina

What do you think the major challenges faced by the department will be in the next four years?

The building of the new Vernon County Jail will be a challenge and adjustment for both the law enforcement personnel along with the citizens in the community. Change is difficult at times however it is needed for the continual evolving and improvement of our growing community. The fight against drugs has been and will continue to be a challenge. I will do what is expected of me and what is right for the people of Vernon County to improve the growing drug problem.

What do you feel is the most important thing voters should know about you?

I will stand up for the community and do what is right for Vernon County. A person should feel safe in their home and community. If a person would happen to need the services of the Vernon County Sheriff's Office, they should feel as though what ever their issue is it will be handled and addressed promptly and with the utmost respect.

It has been an important aspect in my life to keep my children and loved ones safe and I will also make it safe for your loved ones.