Sheriff's primary features an intradepartmental contest

Incumbent Henry County Sheriff Allen Wittmer is being challenged in the Republican primary to retain his position by one of his own ? Henry County Deputy Sheriff Rich McNamee.

The News sent questionnaires to both candidates and their responses follow. There is no Democrat running for the office, so barring unforeseen circumstances, the Wittmer-McNamee winner will not face opposition in the Nov. 6 general election.

Voting in Tuesday?s primary election is from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Allen F. Wittmer

Biographical information ? Age: 58; served two terms as Henry County sheriff; member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church; member of Iowa State Sheriff and Deputies Association; 911 board; emergency management board; Henry County Republican Central Committee; HCHC Citizens Advisory Board; Alphonsus Knights of Columbus; Mt. Pleasant Masonic Lodge; Order of Eastern Star; Loyal Order of Moose; wife, Bianca, one son, Tim, and one daughter, Angela.

1. Why are you seeking elective office (re-election)? I feel I still have much to offer our county. As sheriff, my main objective has been to make changes that increase efficiency in all departments, expand our resources and maximize staff capability. I made critical changes in some of our departments such as:

? Increasing jail staff to ensure 24-hour coverage and relieving deputies and dispatchers from jail duties.

? Assigning civil clerks to garnish wages, serve papers at the office and conduct sheriff sales, which frees up the deputies so they can attend to calls and other duties.

If re-elected, there are several areas of great importance I plan to continue addressing, such as:

? Strengthening our reserve deputy unit; they have been a great asset to our department and recently we have lost several members to retirement as they have reached the age limit or to relocation. As a matter of fact, I?ve been getting the word out on my own, and through the existing reserves, that we are looking for some good individuals willing to make such a serious commitment.

? Pursuing illegal drug activity affecting our county as well as investigating other criminal activity. All our deputies have received the appropriate training and tools to perform these tasks.

? Targeting specialized training for all my deputies to increase their skills and keep them abreast of current trends and information.

? Researching and acquiring the most current and appropriate technology and equipment for a department the size of ours, possibly with federal or state grant money.

? Continuing to make myself accessible to the public and provide the residents of our county quality law enforcement service.

2. What characteristics do you possess that lend yourself to the office you are seeking? I believe it is my ability to build relationships with the residents in this county; I grew up here and I?ve been serving this county for 31 years. People know me well and I know them. In some instances, I know three and four generations of families. They are comfortable approaching me and trusting me with their concerns, knowing that I have their best interest at heart and will do my best to help them out.

3. What is your greatest strength as a candidate? I am a dedicated. Hardworking person who has 33 years of law enforcement experience. I am committed to excellence in all that I do. I believe in accountability (both mine and the staff?s) to those we serve. I feel I have proven myself as an excellent steward of our taxpayers? money, especially in this time of economic hardship. I have done my very best to serve all the citizens of Henry County, and I will continue to do so by stressing the importance of investigating all criminal activity in our county to my officers. In my role as sheriff and administrator, I have always kept the welfare and safety of the citizens of Henry County and my staff in mind with every action and decision.

4. What do you see as the largest program facing the county? I see unemployment as our largest problem. From a law enforcement point of view, we know that many problems result when people lose their jobs and are unable to find employment. It often follows a chain reaction: Unemployment=unable to meet financial responsibilities=frustration, mental stress and unhappiness=increase in alcohol and/or drug use=domestic violence, other crimes=more calls from the sheriff?s office. It has been fluctuating for the last few years but the problem does not go away.

5. Why should people vote for you? As you consider who you want as your sheriff, I hope you will remember that I am not a stranger to this job. In the past seven years, I have gathered a lot of experience and learned much. I have strived to improve our office and jail to bring them into the 21st century; provided my deputies, dispatchers, jailers and civil clerks with the best training and tools needed to perform their tasks well; did a lot of community involvement and worked diligently to improve our services to you.

I can only promise to continue in the same progressive direction. My desire is to continue serving you well and make the appropriate changes and advances to stay abreast of the issues and concerns that affect our county.

Richard A. McNamee

Biographical information: Age: 40; former board member at Salem Recreation Association; former board member Henry County Community Credit Union; youth baseball coach; Member of First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant; Iowa Farm Bureau; group leader for men?s fraternity, Iowa State Sheriff?s and Deputies Association; wife, Carol, two sons, Reece and Gannon, two daughters, Keelyn and Ella.

1. Why are you seeking elected office? I would live to provide Henry County with conservative budgeting and hard-working law enforcement personnel, saving tax dollars and stopping drug dealers.

2. What characteristics lend yourself to the office you are seeking? Honesty, integrity and open minded to new ideas with high ethical standards and having family-oriented, Christian-based goals.

3. If elected what changes would you propose to your office and your constituents? I would control spending at the sheriff?s office. I would promote aggressive and proactive approaches to criminal and drug activity in an around Henry County. I would work to bridge the communication gap between the sheriff?s office and other local law enforcement and prosecutors. I would increase patrols in the rural areas and small towns.

4. What is your greatest strength as a candidate? My ability to relate to a variety of people in a variety of situations while showing respect to all, while being o pen minded to all types of input.

5. What do you see as the largest problem facing the county? Illegal drug activity in our county, this type of criminal activity leads, or is linked, to many other types of crime and if it can be controlled, many other crimes will be as well.

6. Why should people vote for you? I feel that it is time for a change in leadership at the sheriff?s office. This will bring a new outlook and a new approach to law enforcement. I will be open minded to all incoming issues and address them with a serious but respectful approach.