Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9506010040
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
COMMUNITY TIES and FAMILY: Native of Dublin, lives in Christiansburg. Married and a member of Riner Baptist Church.
CAMPAIGN TACTIC THUS FAR: Door-to-door, personal contact, handing out business cards with slogan "Is it time for change? Vote for experience."
LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE: 30 years total, 12 as a member of the U.S. Army Military Police, 18 as a Montgomery County deputy. Served in the Army at various posts, including Vietnam, Korea, Japan, France and Germany. Retired from the department last November.
WHY HE'S THE BEST CANDIDATE: "With my experience as a deputy and a first sergeant in the military police, I'm better qualified. I've worked in every position in the sheriff's department, so I know how they function. I've had so many people throughout the county ask me. If I get the nomination, I know I can be the next sheriff. I had no intention of running. That's what motivated me. Plus, my wife said after I retired, I had to find a job."
KEY COMMENTS: "I want to make the sheriff's department the best in the state of Virginia. I want to increase the office's professionalism. We need better training on more subjects, like how to communicate better with the citizens of the county. We need to get input from the citizens. A sheriff's department can't work too good without cooperation from the citizens. I got along good with the people of the county."
A GOOD SHERIFF IS ONE WHO: "gets along with the county and has the input from the county; someone who gets along good with the citizens of the county and knows his job. Really, without the input from the citizens, the sheriff can't hardly do his job."
ASSESSMENT OF LAST FOUR YEARS: "He [Sheriff Ken Phipps] came in with good intentions. Things have hindered him from doing it."
LAST MOVIE SEEN: "Big Business"
LAST BOOK READ: Louis L'Amour western
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Do what you say you're going to do. Be honest. Be. truthful. Be sincere. Don't lie."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB