Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 28, 1995 TAG: 9503280050
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANN DONAHUE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Botetourt County Sheriff Reed Kelly announced Monday that he would seek re-election.
Although no one else has officially declared, Bud Brummit, chairman of the Republican candidate recruitment committee, said two men are considering entering the race.
Both are in law enforcement and do not wish to be identified.
"It's probably one of the most difficult races to recruit people for," Brummit said. "You've got to have people with a very specialized background."
Kelly, a Democrat, said he has focused on crime-prevention efforts. The number of burglaries and larcenies has decreased during his term, according to a prepared statement released Monday.
"All you can do is run on your record," Kelly said. He mentioned the declining crime rate as proof that Botetourt County has grown safer during his tenure as sheriff.
Kelly cited an increase in drunken-driving arrests as one of his department's major accomplishments during his four years in office. "Your family is at more risk at getting hurt by a drunk driver than anything else, statistically," Kelly said.
"We try to not just protect and serve ... We try to improve the quality of life," Kelly said.
Kelly, a Botetourt County native, graduated from the Virginia Forensic Science Academy and the FBI National Academy. He has worked in the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office for 22 years.
Kelly was elected sheriff in 1991 in a close, three-man race. He beat acting sheriff Jerry Caldwell by 280 votes. Caldwell took over the office when former Sheriff Norman Sprinkle retired in August 1991.
Kelly is preparing for competition.
"Politics is such a volatile thing," he said. "It's a long time between now and the filing deadline." Candidates have until June 13 to file papers declaring their intention to run.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB