Around 200 people gathered in the Clinton Prairie High School Auditorium Thursday night for the Clinton County Sheriff’s Forum sponsored by the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce featuring Republican candidates Mark Mitchell, Matt Myers, Jerrad Blacker and Rich Kelly.
The four discussed topics ranging from the opioid crisis to school safety to the budget and to the best way to run the department.
All four individuals have been involved in law enforcement almost their entire lives. Mitchell is seeking a return trip to the office after having served as Clinton County Sheriff from 2003 to 2010 and is currently a member of the Clinton County Council as well as the town marshal in Mulberry. Both Myers and Blacker have served at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office for many years, while Kelly has done the same thing with the Indiana State Police.
When asked why he was running again for sheriff, Mitchell replied, “Serving this community is a calling. It’s my passion. It’s what I’m about.”
Even though his career has been with the state police, Kelly said he has been a part of this community for 25 years.
Myers said his work is his life.
“I’m a novice to politics, but I’m not to providing professional law enforcement and correction services,” said Myers. “This job is really part of me.”
Blacker felt like all the candidates had one basic thought in mind.
“We all seem to share a similar goal and that’s to make Clinton County a safe place,” said Blacker. “I really thought the focus tonight was community safety. The safety of our kids and the safety of everybody in this community is important. I’m going to do what it takes to make sure that happens.”
Kelly said all law enforcement individuals are aware of the problems that exist in the county.
“This is almost three-year-old information, but Clinton County is absolutely the highest in the area for opioid overdoses that show in the emergency room,” said Kelly. “We don’t see that in the arrests. We’ve got to get to work.”
Mitchell said if there are issues that matter to the community, it matters to him.
“This gives me the opportunity to express to the community that experience matters in this dangerous time, this dangerous world to help give our deputies everything they need,” said Mitchell. “They are the biggest asset we have here.”
To further illustrate that point, Mitchell said there are 21 deputies, total plus the sheriff, to cover the 800 square miles of Clinton County. He added all services which could be added come down to a cost or how much are taxpayers willing to sacrifice.
All four individuals lauded the partnership that currently exists between the Sheriff’s Office and the Frankfort Police Department.
“It is an outstanding relationship and it is a direct reflection of the police chief (Troy Bacon),” said Mitchell. “We work well together.”
Blacker added, “I commend Troy. Things have really gotten better, especially in the last two years.”
Myers called the partnership a “strong community relationship.”
The event was broadcast live on WILO-AM, WILO-FM and WILO TV.