Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9506010030
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-9 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
COMMUNITY TIES and FAMILY: Married, two grown children. Born and raised in Montgomery County. Blacksburg High School graduate; life member of the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department; life member, Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad - captain, 19 years. Member, Hunter's Masonic Lodge, Montgomery County Moose Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police and several other organizations.
CAMPAIGN TACTIC THUS FAR: Door to door and mailings.
LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE: Virginia Tech Police Department since 1970; promoted to sergeant in 1974; assigned to investigations, 1986. Graduated from Central Police Training School, Virginia State Police Academy; associate's degree in police science from New River Community College.
WHY HE'S THE BEST CANDIDATE: Olinger has worked in public service roles for more than 27 years. Virginia Tech's Police Department is attempting to become certified as a professional law enforcement agency, meaning they must meet more than 400 standards of evaluation. Olinger says what he has learned during the accreditation process will "help me make the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office a top-notch law enforcement agency, one that the employees and citizens can be proud of."
A sheriff must keep in mind not only the immediate goals of the department but the long-range goals as well, he said.
KEY COMMENTS: Olinger said residents in rural areas and subdivisions want to see deputies patrolling the neighborhoods at times other than when responding to complaints or serving civil papers.
He said thorough coverage of the county on all shifts will be a priority. Management and supervisory members of the Sheriff's Office should readjust their schedules and work an evening shift if a deputy is out sick or on vacation, instead of having the shift operate short-handed.
"When I'm elected sheriff, I won't work a 9 to 5 schedule," Olinger said. "You've got to have good police protection that's around the clock. The community expects it."
He said that as sheriff, he would examine the pay scale and equipment needs of the department.
A GOOD SHERIFF IS ONE WHO: "establishes a good working relationship for all employees [and] maintains an open door for all citizens who want to see the sheriff." Olinger said a good sheriff also "must never forget the citizens elect you and they can un-elect you if they don't think you're doing a good job."
LAST MOVIE SEEN: "Above Suspicion."
LAST BOOK READ: "Brady's Emergency Care, 6th Edition," for recertification as an emergency medical technician.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "A winner never quits and a quitter never wins," and "You can be tough as nails but you can still be a gentleman."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB