Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 17, 1995 TAG: 9505170044
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
COMMUNITY TIES AND FAMILY: Born and raised in Dublin. Left for military service in 1967. Returned to the area and has lived in Montgomery County since 1979. Member of Gateway Baptist Church, Loyal Order of the Moose #1470, Virginia State Police Association. Married with three sons.
CAMPAIGN TACTIC SO FAR: Direct mail to Republican party members.
MASS MEETING TURNOUT GOAL: "One more vote than the other two candidates"
LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE: Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, 1992 to present, chief deputy since October 1992. Served three years with Hopewell Police Department before joining the Virginia State Police for 19 years through 1991.
WHY HE'S THE BEST CANDIDATE: Haga said he is the "heir apparent," citing the policy, budget and administrative experience he has gained as chief deputy. He has been an active Republican on the local and state levels the past four years.
"My concern is for the welfare and well-being of the employees of the Sheriff's Office [and] I have a deep desire to serve the people of Montgomery County with equality, openness and fairness."
KEY COMMENTS: Haga said he would "continue the course" Sheriff Ken Phipps and he have set for the office, but continually strive to improve. He said he would like to upgrade the deputies' pay scale, with cooperation from the State Compensation Board and and local Board of Supervisors.
"When I am elected sheriff, I plan to be a people person. ... You've got to have a heartbeat for the people."
He said he wants to give equal respect to all citizens and their complaints, no matter how minor others may perceive the problem. A barking dog might seem unimportant, but "to them, that is the only problem; that's the major issue of the day."
He said he is a delegator who will "surround myself with a very competent staff" able to handle the routine calls so that he is free to deal with the more serious matters and get out of the office to meet and talk with residents. He also wants to have "more and continued communications with the Board of Supervisors" about the Sheriff's Office's needs.
A GOOD SHERIFF IS ONE WHO: "is dedicated to his given profession, is dedicated to his employees and is dedicated to the entire county. There is no problem too little for a sheriff to be concerned with."
LAST BOOK READ: "The Fortunate Son," by Lewis Puller Jr.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." -John F. Kennedy
Keywords:
POLITICS PROFILE
by CNB