Miami County Sheriff

[Unregistered]

I dont live in Miami County and Im not a deputy. But, I do recognize that all the candidates for sheriff are either cops or retired cops. No one knows more about the background of these candidates than other cops. I think it makes perfect sense for us to ask a cop what they think about or know about a particular candidate. We can then form a good opinion ourselves before just voting based on political ads. So if I see a majority of deputies backing a particular candidate it gives me pause and makes me think there must be a reason. I dont consider it my only reason for voting for a person, but it is one of my reasons. So when a group of deputies strongly supports a candidate it does sway votes. I think if the HCSD employees formed a large consensus to back a candidate they can drive the electorate that direction.

Since:

A. I am not a taxpaer/voter in Miami County
B. Miami County has never tried to facistically impose their laws, ordinances, and taxation rates on me (as the city of Kokomo did through forced annexation)

I should really, really, really not comment on this one, but I just have to address one thing with the poster:

It is actually the voters of Miami County that decide who fills the sherriff spot, not the deputies.

Howard County SD employees, feel free to eavesdrop a bit here... As an average citizen, I have never walked into a voting booth thinking "you know, the deputies want X candidate, I'll vote for that person."

I'm guessing that most voters are the same. I'd say that until the election is held, its still a contest. I think there are enough people voting who aren't deputies to swing this election either way. Jeez, get real.

[Unregistered]

I dont live in Miami County and Im not a deputy. But, I do recognize that all the candidates for sheriff are either cops or retired cops. No one knows more about the background of these candidates than other cops. I think it makes perfect sense for us to ask a cop what they think about or know about a particular candidate. We can then form a good opinion ourselves before just voting based on political ads. So if I see a majority of deputies backing a particular candidate it gives me pause and makes me think there must be a reason. I dont consider it my only reason for voting for a person, but it is one of my reasons. So when a group of deputies strongly supports a candidate it does sway votes. I think if the HCSD employees formed a large consensus to back a candidate they can drive the electorate that direction.

Its clear you dont value local law enforcement as a whole. The guys have to work with some of the potential canidates so why not value what they have to say? I listen to the because you learn the facts canidates dont want you to see, their opinions count, so who are you to discount that?

[Unregistered]

Its clear you dont value local law enforcement as a whole. The guys have to work with some of the potential canidates so why not value what they have to say? I listen to the because you learn the facts canidates dont want you to see, their opinions count, so who are you to discount that?

How is that "clear?"

[Unregistered]

Did I miss something?? Where do you see that the poster didnt value local law enforcement?? It seems to be exactly what he said he did value...

Its clear you dont value local law enforcement as a whole. The guys have to work with some of the potential canidates so why not value what they have to say? I listen to the because you learn the facts canidates dont want you to see, their opinions count, so who are you to discount that?

[Unregistered]

I was at the Miami County fair last week and saw some guy wearing a shirt that said Miller for sheriff. Besides the fact the guy needed a bigger shirt (or smaller gut) I had to ask who is Miller??

[Unregistered]

If Im not mistaken Miller is yet another trooper wanna be sheriff candidate. We will see them in droves in this next election cycle. It appears to be part of the ISP retirement package.

I was at the Miami County fair last week and saw some guy wearing a shirt that said Miller for sheriff. Besides the fact the guy needed a bigger shirt (or smaller gut) I had to ask who is Miller??

[Unregistered]

Wow, I live in south miami county and know Miller from the Mac school board (not a good thing). I was curious about what this Miami County race would look like with a trooper -v- a retired Peru cop. I went to the parade today in Peru and both candidates were there walking in the parade. Every single person around me was out spoken about their support of van baalen. Miller is not known to anyone up there and they really like the van baalen guy. He must have made a heck of an impression on that town to get that kind of support. I would say that race is going to be an up hill battle for the trooper. Much like Howard County the people of Miami county are tired of troopers making their sheriff department into a retirement job....

[Unregistered]

My family lives in Peru and I was also at their circus last week. What I heard from them was that #1) Miller is not very well known, most have never heard of him #2) The people that dont support Miller dont dislike troopers, they really dont like what he has done at the Mac school board. Recently the school voted down a huge school renovation program that miller and the school board had tried to enact. The voters thought the school board was reckless and careless with their money and went against them. So it is a bad time for a little known trooper that is on a very unpopular school board to run for sheriff in miami county.

Wow, I live in south miami county and know Miller from the Mac school board (not a good thing). I was curious about what this Miami County race would look like with a trooper -v- a retired Peru cop. I went to the parade today in Peru and both candidates were there walking in the parade. Every single person around me was out spoken about their support of van baalen. Miller is not known to anyone up there and they really like the van baalen guy. He must have made a heck of an impression on that town to get that kind of support. I would say that race is going to be an up hill battle for the trooper. Much like Howard County the people of Miami county are tired of troopers making their sheriff department into a retirement job....

[Unregistered]

thats what Miami County needs a Sheriff who owns a bar, drives a tricked out Escalade, chases women, and has lots of money..bring it own, party in Peru.

[Unregistered]

Vanbaalen owns several restaraunts inclunding subways and Beef Obradys, no bars. His wife drives a suv, stock and not tricked out. He has been married for almost 30 years to same woman, no affairs and everyone here knows he worked his a** off for everything he owns. So if you want to party in Miami County be ready for a stay in our new jail, this guy is the real deal,........get your facts straight before you slander people

thats what Miami County needs a Sheriff who owns a bar, drives a tricked out Escalade, chases women, and has lots of money..bring it own, party in Peru.