Sheriff candidates share views

Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Vernon County GOP Committee Chairman Jerry Wadel, far left, prepares to ask a series of questions of Republican candidates for Vernon County Sheriff, during a forum Friday evening. Four of the six Republican candidates took part. On the dais, from left are Jeffrey Prater, John Gazaway, Jason Mosher and Greg Kepler. Candidates Joe Colin and Marty Hill did not attend the forum.

By Lynn A. Wade

Nevada Daily Mail

A hot, muggy evening on the courthouse lawn was the backdrop for a GOP-sponsored forum of six hopefuls, each with his sights set on the Vernon County sheriff's seat.

Jeffrey Prater, Bronaugh; Joe Colin, Nevada; John Gazaway. Nevada; Marty Hill, Milo; Jason M. Mosher, Milo; and Greg Kepler, Nevada; all hope to be selected by voters Aug. 7 as the Republican candidate who'll take on the Democrat who prevails in the August primary. Colin and Hill did not attend Friday's forum.

According to the Missouri Secretary of State's Office, candidates for sheriff must be a resident of the county for more than one year before filing and must be a resident taxpayer and elector of county. Sheriff candidates must have no felony convictions and be "capable of efficient law enforcement."

Vernon County Republican Committee Chairman Jerry Wadel served as moderator for the event, posing several questions to each candidate.

Here's a brief summary of the candidates' answers to those questions:

Prater told the crowd he took an 800-hour course in law enforcement in 1996 and has finished 750 hours of continuing education as well as college course work. He has taken part in death investigations, a domestic violence response team and more.

Gazaway has been head detention officer at the Vernon County Sheriff's Office and was a detention officer in Bourbon County; and he is pursuing his POST certification.

Mosher is a certified crime scene investigator. He has served as a patrol officer, sergeant and has spent the last year and a half as chief of the Jasper Police Department. He also has received training investigating cases relating to methamphetamine trafficking and has experience in writing grants.

Kepler has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Missouri Southern State College, and has worked in law enforcement as a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the city of Nevada Police Department, and the Vernon County Sheriff's Office.

Asked about their view of the primary duties of the sheriff, Kepler said his motto has always been to "Protect and serve." He wants to do what's needed to "Keep the bad guys away from the good guys."

Mosher agreed that to protect lives and property is paramount, and added that the sheriff also is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the jail.

Gazaway noted that budgeting and working with neighboring counties are also important duties; and Prater said he felt the sheriff's office should have more than one deputy on duty at night and should bring the equipment and tools used by officers "up to the 21st Century."

In terms of revenue, all four agreed that revenue comes from citizens, grants and housing of inmates, and all appeared to be proponents of housing more federal inmates.

Asked to prioritize budget items, Mosher said that those items that impact the "protection of life and property," such as personnel, training, and equipment that would facilitate "24/7 coverage," would come first, along with proper maintenance of the jail; other needs or desires would come after that.

Kepler agreed, adding that he would be out patrolling as well as the other officers. "I'm not going to be walkin' around in a suit," but if elected would be taking an active role in law enforcement. Kepler also advocated a more noticeable presence in the schools.

Prater said a priority would be to increase the salaries of deputies.

He also advocated additional training and proposed gleaning more money from drug busts, reiterating his desire to house more federal prisoners.

To make the sheriff's office more efficient, Mosher proposed a more clear chain of command, giving deputies opportunities for advancement.

Kepler disagreed with that, saying he believes the type of system Mosher proposed could hinder teamwork, saying that when everyone's on the same level, "a lot more gets done."

Gazaway asserted there should be a male and female jailer on duty all the time; and Prater advocated working more closely with the Nevada Police Department.

As for the management of the jail, Kepler noted that in housing inmates from outside the county, "You could reach a point of diminishing returns," that is, a point at which more staff could be needed to manage the influx of more inmates.

Mosher noted that in addition to looking at revenue-building strategies, it's important to identify savings.

Gazaway said inmates should be put to work when appropriate, performing community service tasks such as cleaning up.

Prater agreed.

In a related question about the candidates' managerial expertise, Mosher noted that he supervises six officers and three reservists, has compiled several of the department's state-required reports, and developed a scoring and testing system to promote efficiency and fairness in the hiring process.

Kepler said he likes detail and bookkeeping tasks, likes working with law enforcement officers and has skill in "calming down situations." Kepler noted his maturity and years of experience would be an asset.

Gazaway touted his experience as a manager at home; and Prater said he's lived debt-free for 20 years as a testament to his budgeting and spending prowess and noted that "too many chiefs and sheriffs hire their friends."

Republicans asked candidates if they would confiscate citizens' firearms, if ordered to do so by the government. All four candidates adamantly said they would not.

Mosher noted that such an order would be a violation of the U.S. Constitution he would be sworn to uphold; Kepler added that. he would work with area rangemasters to help citizens become proficient in the use of firearms as well.

Asked about community resources available, all four candidates advocated working closely with other agencies. Prater suggested developing a cadre of reserve officers; Mosher suggested explorer and reserve programs as well.

Democrats running for the office, who were not included in Friday's Republican-led event, are Peckman, Michael Bullinger, Nevada; and Todd Joseph Davis, Nevada.

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