BENTON COUNTY : Sheriff’s race heats up
Posted on Sunday, May 4, 2008
Voters will go to the polls in Benton County this month to decide whether to keep their sheriff, bring one out of retirement or pick a younger political newcomer.
The Republican candidates in the race are a diverse trio: three-term incumbent Keith Ferguson, 64, is low-key, steady and likes to stick with what works.
Andy Lee, 60, Benton County’s longest-tenured sheriff, is vociferous, dogged and trying a second time to take the office from Ferguson.
Kelley Cradduck, 37, a Rogers police sergeant, is an energetic newcomer whose forte is gang eradication and whose platform is “embracing new thinking.”
The May 20 primary likely will decide the race, barring a successful write-in candidate in the November general election. There is no Democratic candidate.
In this campaign and in the 2006 primary, Lee has taken public jabs at Ferguson, saying the sheriff runs the sheriff’s office poorly, inflates his success on clamping down on illegal immigration and isn’t proactive about combating gangs.
“He says he’s tracking down illegal aliens and out there fighting gangs, but that’s all a bunch of fluff,” said Lee, who was sheriff from 1988 to 2002. “He’s just tooting his own horn, and he needs to be called on it.”
Lee — who lost in 2006 to Ferguson by a 2-to-1 margin — said voters shouldn’t define him by past setbacks.
Lee didn’t run for re-election in 2002, hoping to be chosen for a U. S. Marshal’s Service job, which he didn’t get. In 2004, he ran for the Republican nomination for U. S. senator. He lost the primary.
Lee said that he should be recognized for his foresight and track record as sheriff.
“I don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and I’m not afraid of defeat,” he said. “That’s why I’m back out there.”
Lee’s running this campaign differently, he said. His wife, Holly, has taken the lead, and he’s delegated campaign work to a committee. It’s also the first time he’s gone door-to- door to Hispanic businesses.
“I sure wouldn’t want to turn my back on any voter, and the reception’s been good,” he said. “They’re saying I’m the first candidate whose taken time to come and talk to them.”
If he’s elected, Lee said, he would start a regional gang and drug task force to be overseen by a paid director independent from law enforcement.
Lee would stop housing federal inmates in the Benton County jail and focus on building a juvenile detention center instead of adding space to the county jail, which Ferguson supports.
Lee also wants to start a boot camp for juvenile offenders, where they’d get wilderness-survival training and learn respect, teamwork and confidence-building.
Lee said he built the sheriff’s office from an agency with a condemned jail, seven deputies and no paid training to one with a multimillion-dollar jail, inmate work crews and other valuable programs.
“Every program that Ferguson is using started under my watch while I was in office,” Lee said. “He’s taken credit for everything I started.”
Ferguson hasn’t flinched under Lee’s attacks. Ferguson’s nearly 40 years in law enforcement speak for itself, he said.
He distinguishes himself from the other candidates because he’s not running for “personal gain or recognition,” he said.
“What I can say is, I have good morals. I’m married to the same wife and raised my children here in Benton County,” said Ferguson, a retired Arkansas State Police trooper. “I believe in honesty and I try to always be honest, and I’m doing the job I’m elected to do. I feel like I serve the people of Benton County 24 / 7, every day.”
Ferguson said he’s worked to take the sheriff ’s office into the 21 st century, including training detectives in computer forensics to catch online child predators and by implementing a Web site where the public can track sex offenders living in the county.
He’s satisfied with the agency’s participation in the federal program known as 287 [g ], where officers are trained to enforce federal immigration law. Five deputies are in the program, he said.
They work in the jail and at times on the Immigration Criminal Alien Task Force, which includes officers from the Springdale and Rogers police departments and the Washington County sheriff’s office.
“I am a firm believer of ‘if it’s not broke you don’t try to fix it,’ and this program seems to be working,” Ferguson said. “I do not see any need for change.”
Ferguson said his agency participates in the Gang Resistance Education and Training program, where deputies teach children and parents how to resist gangs.
The Quorum Court included a little more than $ 1 million in this year’s budget for a new facility to hold about 160 nonviolent inmates to ease constant near-full capacities at the jail that holds 505 inmates.
Fond of wearing a cowboy hat and boots, Ferguson said that his values and philosophy are old-fashioned and simple.
“I have no use for a liar or a thief,” he said. “I feel like everybody should be accountable for what they do.”
Cradduck said he’s tried to steer clear of campaign mudslinging, and for the most part, his opponents have left him alone. However, he said, he’s had more than $ 1, 000 in campaign signs stolen.
“I’ve tried real hard not to make it personal,” said Cradduck, who teaches gang suppression and prevention to area police, educators and civic groups. “I think it will pay off in the end.”
Cradduck said that he has the most varied experience of the candidates. It’s time for the county to have a leader who is proactive and has vision, he said.
“I believe I have the best ability to build relationships in our community that will help facilitate cooperation, trust and understanding on levels that are beyond just law enforcement,” Cradduck said.
“That, and I have certain specialized experience neither one of them have, including my gang suppression background, starting a program for at-risk students, my work as an undercover drug agent, and the free classes I’ve taught the public on personal safety.”
Cradduck also supports the 287 [g ] program but believes the work of the officers and the task force should be more transparent to the media and public.
He supports taking federal inmates out of the jail to create space, but he said the solution to jail crowding has to include crime prevention, not punishment.
Cradduck wants to create a countywide crime suppression task force, bringing together agencies from not only Rogers and Bentonville, but some smaller towns with limited resources, he said.
Law enforcement problems in the region should be tackled with a “unified approach” and with “regional solutions,” he said.
He also would like the sheriff’s office’s to create a mentoring program to divert juveniles from gangs.
If elected, he said, he will lead an initiative to compile a database of gang intelligence information that will be accessible to all law enforcement agencies in the region.
“Without that database, we can’t don’t really know how to attack gangs effectively,” he said. “When the best you can do is chase them out of your jurisdiction, they’ll just continue to swap out from city to city.”
Other innovations include implementing a free computer-driven General Equivalency Diploma program for inmates that would allow them to continue their studies at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, Cradduck said.
“We can’t continue to try to solve the problems with the same old thinking that got us here in the first place,” he said. “And I think the voters agree.” Benton County Sheriff
REPUBLICAN NOMINATION Kelley Cradduck Age: 37 Family: Three children Occupation: Sergeant, Rogers Police Department Crime Suppression Unit Education: Rogers High School; Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy Previous political experience: None Military experience: Four years in the U. S. Army What’s your position on the 287 [g ] program ? I would commit two deputies to the program. Audio and video should be used... to provide documented evidence of how any information regarding citizen status was obtained. This information should be available to the media and public. What would you do to combat gang crime ? Educate and engage the community..., share intelligence (with ) a database that is accessible to area law enforcement, create a countywide Crime Suppression Task Force that will focus on repeat offenders. What are you doing to deal with concerns about crowding at the Benton County jail ? Reduce recidivism rate, implement a GED program..., stop housing federal inmates, allow first-time, nonviolent misdemeanor offenders to be released on citation... to make room for violent and repeat offenders. Keith Ferguson Age: 64 Family: Wife, Sammy; three children Occupation: Benton County sheriff Education: High school GED, some college Previous political experience: Benton County sheriff since January 2003 Military experience: Eight years in the U. S. Army What’s your position on the 287 [g ] program ? This program is a positive for Benton County.... I don’t see any need for changes. What would you do to combat gang crime ? Gangs and gang-related crimes are predominately located within city limits. We are currently involved in the G. R. E. A. T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training ) program, which teaches our county’s children to resist the temptation of becoming involved in a gang. What are you doing to deal with concerns about crowding at the Benton County jail ? The Benton County jail is not adequate in size.... It is my intention to construct an additional jail facility which will hold approximately 160 nonviolent criminals. Andy Lee Age: 60 Family: Wife, Holly; four children Occupation: Realty Education: Associate degree Previous political experience: Bentonville alderman; Benton County sheriff Military experience: None What’s your position on the 287 [g ] program ? I support the program as long as we don’t racially profile. I do not believe there is a task force for the 287 [g ] program. All the entities work independently from each other. A true task force is one that unites the cities and the county to work as one. What would you do to combat gang crime ? A regional gang task force must be organized. The county’s Drug Task Unit would be part of this gang task force, and all members of this unit will be trained and certified under the 287 [g ] program. We need a new juvenile detention center. What are you doing to deal with concerns about crowding at the Benton County jail ? It is not managed correctly by our sheriff. I would stop holding federal prisoners. This will open up needed beds for those who are arrested from Benton County. Carroll County Sheriff
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION Jack R. Gentry Age: 47 Family: Wife, Penny; seven children Occupation: Assistant manager, Hill County Lumber Education: Berryville High School, University of the Ozarks and Southwest Missouri State University; Missouri Law Enforcement Standards Certification Previous political experience: Ran for sheriff in 2006 Military experience: None Top priorities if elected ? n Return the Missouri Drug Task Force to this county, for without a unit as such the county is open to neighboring county problems to come our way. n Redistribute community coverage and sectors. n Reduce turnover in all departments. C. E. “Chuck” Medford Age: 66 Family: Wife, Marjie; six children Occupation: Court-appointed process server; Carroll County sheriff Education: Brinkley High School Previous political experience: Eight years as Carroll County sheriff Military experience: Eight years in the Arkansas Army National Guard Top priorities if elected ? n Concentrate on major crime... especially drug dealers, methamphetamine manufacturing and theft. n Work with the current Quorum Court and to work within budget. n Give the sheriff’s office back to the people. Crawford County Sheriff
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION Jim Freeman Age: 52 Family: Wife, Liz; six children Occupation: Manager, Bob Cole Bail Bonds in Van Buren Education: High school Previous political experience: None Military experience: U. S. Marine Corps Top priorities if elected ? n To have an open door policy with the public, employees and all local law enforcement agencies. n To strive to build a very strong narcotics task force. We do not currently have a narcotics officer in the Crawford County sheriff’s office. n To form a strong relationship with law enforcement agencies and with the community and to have each town be able to deputize in the event of an emergency. Mike Allen Age: 43 Family: Wife, Karen; four children Occupation: Crawford County sheriff Education: Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy; FBI Swat School Previous political experience: Two terms as sheriff Military experience: None Top priorities if elected ? n Top priority is to continue to expand our abilities to deal with sex crimes. Our department is actively involved in maintaining a sex offender program that tracks all offenders within our county. n We have a strict patrol schedule that covers the entire county. The Quorum Court recently approved four new deputy positions, and three of the four will be dedicated to patrol. n Jail crowding will continue to plague us until a resolution is found. Options being considered include exploring the feasibility of a regional facility, GPS monitoring for criminals free on bond and an expansion project for the detention center. Johnson County Sheriff
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION Jimmy Dorney Age: 41 Family: Single Occupation: Johnson County sheriff Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, University of the Ozarks; Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy Previous political experience: Serving first term as sheriff Military experience: None Top priorities if elected ? n To try and solve the disappearance of Ms. Bonnie McFadden of Coal Hill, who has been missing since August 2005. n To get the Johnson County sheriff’s office Web site up and running so citizens can have better access to our office, including the posting online of the county’s registered sex offenders. n For all officers to continue to work hard each day, providing the citizens of Johnson County with the best possible law enforcement available. Terry Pelts Age: 40 Family: Wife, Melissa; five children Occupation: Meter technician Education: Lamar High School; Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy Previous political experience: None Military experience: None Top priorities if elected ? n Tougher fight against the manufacturing and distribution of illegal drugs. More frequent drug education and awareness programs in all schools. n Put together a task force... to keep track of registered sex offenders living in and moving into Johnson County. n To develop a closer working relationship with all law enforcement agencies to better combat the problems in each community. Jimmy Stephens Age: 43 Family: Wife, Traci; two children Occupation: Cattle rancher Education: University of the Ozarks Previous political experience: None Military experience: None Top priorities if elected ? n To provide the citizens of Johnson County the service, guidance, and protection to which they are entitled. n To help ensure Johnson County remains a pleasant, safe, and desirable place to live and raise families. n To combat the manufacturing and distribution of illegal narcotic Norman R. Wood Age: 58 Family: Wife, Diane; two children Occupation: Materials manager, Greenville Tube Corp. Education: High school Previous political experience: None Military experience: Six years staff sergeant in the 101 st Airborne Division Top priorities if elected ? n Fight against drugs, starting with children all the way up to manufacturers and dealers. n Sex offenders. n Protecting and serving the citizens of Johnson County. Logan County Sheriff
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION Robert Mikles Age: 59 Family: Wife, Karen; three children Occupation: Police officer, Air National Guard Education: High school; one year of college; Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy; Universal Trades School and Tech at Ozark Previous political experience: None Military experience: Vietnam War veteran Top priorities if elected ? n My department will be accountable to all the citizens of Logan County with an open door policy no matter the time or day. n We will have 24-hour rural patrols to deter crime before it happens and to crack down on the speeders on our rural county roads. n We will put an emphasis on drug enforcement and prevention to reduce crime to the public and their personal property. Steve Smith Age: 40 Family: Three children Occupation: Logan County sheriff Education: High school; Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy Previous political experience: Sheriff since January 2007 Military experience: None Top priorities if elected ? n If re-elected I’ll continue to do the same thing I’m doing right now: Serve the people of Logan County. If the people have a need I’ll continue to help them. I’ll also continue with the upgrades being done at the county detention center and continue to have a good working relationship with other law enforcement and emergency services agencies. Scott County Sheriff
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION Josh Franklin Age: 33 Family: Wife, Christy; two children Occupation: Chief deputy in charge of patrol, Logan County sheriff’s office Education: Waldron High School; bachelor’s degree in history and political science, Arkansas Tech University Previous political experience: None Military experience: None Top priorities if elected ? n If elected I’ll be honest and hardworking, I’ll be open and accessible to the people, and I’ll run the Scott County sheriff’s
office in the most cost-effective manner possible. Arthur Oldner Age: 53 Family: Wife, Cathy; one child Occupation: Insurance agent; 22 years of law enforcement experience Education: Associate degree in business working to complete bachelor’s degree in emergency management Previous political experience: None Military experience: None Top priorities if elected ? n Building a department with a solid reputation for honesty, courtesy and commitment. n Pursue and prevent drug and criminal activity throughout the county. n Develop school programs (with ) students to build a future relationship. Cody Carpenter Did not respond
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