Thread: Miami County Sheriff

Vanbaalen owns several businesses and employs over 100 people? And some of those businesses are out of county? When would he have time to be a Sheriff????

He is not going to get my vote for that very reason. I want a dedicated full time Sheriff.

The guy owned more businesses and had more people working the entire time he was both Chief of Police and the Head of the Miami County Drug Task Force. He is obviously capable of multi tasking and is exaclty the kind of guy that you want as your Sheriff. Who else is capable of running a multi million dollar faciltiy and managing all those people. The first day on the job will not be his first day making tough decisions, the idea that he is too successful is nonsense and for small minded people. This county needs the "Best" Candidate to be their Sheriff. These scare tactics and smoke screens just will not work. The only decision to make is, who will be the best Sheriff. Vanbaalen has already proved with his work as chief and drug task force leader he is the man. Didnt hear any complaints about his committment for the past 20 years.

and was such a great chief then why did he retire? Wouldn't a run for sheriff be a step down for him?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The guy owned more businesses and had more people working the entire time he was both Chief of Police and the Head of the Miami County Drug Task Force. He is obviously capable of multi tasking and is exaclty the kind of guy that you want as your Sheriff. Who else is capable of running a multi million dollar faciltiy and managing all those people. The first day on the job will not be his first day making tough decisions, the idea that he is too successful is nonsense and for small minded people. This county needs the "Best" Candidate to be their Sheriff. These scare tactics and smoke screens just will not work. The only decision to make is, who will be the best Sheriff. Vanbaalen has already proved with his work as chief and drug task force leader he is the man. Didnt hear any complaints about his committment for the past 20 years.

Why would Sheriff be a step down?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The guy owned more businesses and had more people working the entire time he was both Chief of Police and the Head of the Miami County Drug Task Force. He is obviously capable of multi tasking and is exaclty the kind of guy that you want as your Sheriff. Who else is capable of running a multi million dollar faciltiy and managing all those people. The first day on the job will not be his first day making tough decisions, the idea that he is too successful is nonsense and for small minded people. This county needs the "Best" Candidate to be their Sheriff. These scare tactics and smoke screens just will not work. The only decision to make is, who will be the best Sheriff. Vanbaalen has already proved with his work as chief and drug task force leader he is the man. Didnt hear any complaints about his committment for the past 20 years.

I gave the reason why I won't vote for him. It is my right to vote for or not vote for anyone I so choose for any reason. That does not make me or anyone else that votes their belief small minded. Matter of fact it makes them a free thinking citizen that doesn't bend in the wind of politically demagoguery your post represents.

I did not attack you because you are in support this person. Be a considerate person and return the respect. I'm sure your candidate expects that of his supporters.

I must say that I am someone that agrees with Stoner more than not. But on this one we wont agree. I do think we need to vote for the best candidate and the person we feel will be the best office holder. We all are now witnessing what hiring some one unprepared for the job can mean (President on the job training). I see Stoners point, but I also see that it has been addressed. If vanbaalen has already been in top postions (Chief of Police, Drug Task force Leader) and was successul while owning those businesses, then why would that be a mark against him. I just dont understand the reasoning.
I do think Stoner is correct that it is his right to make up his own mind and should not be put down for it. All the voters will have a chance to look at the candidates background and make up their own minds. For me proven track record goes a long way. Vanbaalen looks like the best candidate for any office I have seen in a very long time. Married to high school sweetheart, very successful business owner, highly regarded and educated Police Administrator, and leader in the community...what is left to desire?? So I say I and my family will support the proven candidate and not risk having to train another unkown candidate.

Where do these people come from?? Sheriff is step down? And when someone is really good at a job they can never retire??? Anyway, carry on.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

and was such a great chief then why did he retire? Wouldn't a run for sheriff be a step down for him?

I don't quite understand the "Sheriff is a step down" statement either.

The population of Miami county is approximately 37,000. Peru is approximately 13,000. Take Peru's population out of the equation and you still have 24,000 people strung throughout the county that is the Sheriff's responsibility. Almost twice as many people to be responsible for verses the city.

The total area for the Sheriff's department to patrol is a lot larger than the little town of Peru. Look at a map. Its quite a distance from Macy to Cassville. And that is just north to south. The Sheriff's department has approximately 15 people. At any given time on a shift there are probably what??... only 2-3 deputies patrolling the county. The Peru police department has what??...14-15 people? and...maybe 4 officers on any given shift patrolling the city. 4 city officers patrolling a small city with less of a population and area than the county verses 2-3 Deputies patrolling that have to answer to all of Miami county.

The Miami county Sheriff is just that...the Sheriff of Miami county. He has a responsibility to all of Miami county. The county, the little towns, villages, etc within Miami county. He is responsible for tax sales, delivering jury summons in the county, serving warrants in the county, etc. I'm sure there are plenty of other responsibilities for the Sheriff that is not in the job description of a city police chief.

The Sheriff answers to all the voters in Miami county. A city police chief answers to whom??...a board of 4 or 5 townspeople.

Doesn't sound like a "step down" to me.

No way Sheriff is step down. But the city of Peru actually has 30 full time officers, the county has 14 road deputies. The jail employees about 15 or so Jail Deputies. The Sheriff answers to every voter and tax payer in the county. The Chief is appointed by the Mayor and governed by the City Council. The Sheriff is regarded as the top elected official in every county, both in responsiblity and compensation. The Sheriff does make decisions that will direclty affect the amount of money you pay in taxes. That is why it is critical to really look into the background of candidates before you make a choice. Really take a look at what their experience is in managing large budgets and managing large numbers of people. If you hire a guy to manage 30 or so full time employees he better have the experience to do it or it can be a disastor.

Originally Posted by Stoner

I don't quite understand the "Sheriff is a step down" statement either.

The population of Miami county is approximately 37,000. Peru is approximately 13,000. Take Peru's population out of the equation and you still have 24,000 people strung throughout the county that is the Sheriff's responsibility. Almost twice as many people to be responsible for verses the city.

The total area for the Sheriff's department to patrol is a lot larger than the little town of Peru. Look at a map. Its quite a distance from Macy to Cassville. And that is just north to south. The Sheriff's department has approximately 15 people. At any given time on a shift there are probably what??... only 2-3 deputies patrolling the county. The Peru police department has what??...14-15 people? and...maybe 4 officers on any given shift patrolling the city. 4 city officers patrolling a small city with less of a population and area than the county verses 2-3 Deputies patrolling that have to answer to all of Miami county.

The Miami county Sheriff is just that...the Sheriff of Miami county. He has a responsibility to all of Miami county. The county, the little towns, villages, etc within Miami county. He is responsible for tax sales, delivering jury summons in the county, serving warrants in the county, etc. I'm sure there are plenty of other responsibilities for the Sheriff that is not in the job description of a city police chief.

The Sheriff answers to all the voters in Miami county. A city police chief answers to whom??...a board of 4 or 5 townspeople.

Doesn't sound like a "step down" to me.