SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Note: For equal time purposes, a random name generator was used to determine which candidate would be mentioned first in this story.
After Tuesday’s midterms, Sullivan County will have a new sheriff.
Democratic candidate Jason Bobbitt said his years of experience working in law enforcement, including seven years as Sullivan County’s Chief Deputy, qualify him for the role.
“I learned during that period that there was a lot more to the position than just being a trained police officer,” Bobbitt said. “You’re managing a grocery store, you’re managing a restaurant, you’re managing courthouse security, dispatch, the jail staff.”
Republican candidate Billy Snead also has decades of experience working in local law enforcement, and is currently a part-time town marshal in Dugger as well as a member of the Sheriff’s Department staff.
“I’ve put in 32 years of hard work and dedication,” Snead said. “I mean, if they go back and look at my track record, Billy Snead is proactive, I’m not reactive.”
Snead said that proactive nature will come into play if he’s elected as he focuses on getting drug dealers of the street.
“I’ve been through a lot of good drug school training, and that’s one of my fortes,” Snead said. “That’s what I do; I go out here and I look for the drugs. I’ve never been on top as sheriff where I can start a drug task force. We’ve had a drug task force several years ago, but we haven’t really had any good enforcement going after the drug problem in Sullivan County.”
Both candidates said they hope to get programming into the new county jail that helps those struggling with repeat offenses due to addiction issues.
“I am going to be huge on rehab, rehabilitation, Bible studies for those that are interested and that want it,” Bobbitt said. “The majority of the people in that jail are really decent people. They just made a bad decision.”
Bobbitt said his time as Chief Deputy helped him be prepared to handle financials related to maintaining a county jail and a law enforcement team; financials he’ll be handling if elected.
“I was for seven years in the county council budget hearings,” Bobbitt said. “Obviously I didn’t manage the budget, it was the sheriff’s responsibility, but I am familiar with what line items are to come out of as far as the budget’s concerned.”
Snead said staffing will be a priority if he is given the reins.
“We’ve got to get more officers out on the streets,” Snead said. “We’re a small department; we don’t have the budget for that, so our reserve program, we’ve got to amp up our reserve program. We’ve got to get some people out there trained that want to be reserves that’ll come out here and help.”
Bobbitt and Snead face off on Tuesday.
