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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 8, 2006 About the sheriff candidates Mike Winters, incumbent Age: 48. Town: Ashland. Employment: Jackson County sheriff since 2003. Education: Ashland Senior High School graduate and graduate of the Oregon State Police Academy. Also completed numerous other classes related to policing. Advertisement Experience: Twenty-year veteran of police work, including nearly four years as Jackson County sheriff. Former owner of a small business that performed site-development operations and environmental stream restorations. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Enforcement to reduce drugs — Federal and state reports indicate that cartels diversify between meth and other drugs, and knowing this we have pulled 44,000 marijuana plants out of Jackson County in just this season. Increased patrols and enhanced training will continue to put the hurt on dealers and cartels. 2. Solutions for our outsized jail — An option is creating one combined, cost-effective facility with the state. Forced releases from jail already have decreased from as many as 126 in one week to as little as zero by establishing contracts with other facilities that furnish lodging at a lower cost. 3. Consolidation for dispatch — We need to co-locate all emergency dispatch centers into one, earthquake-proof building, thereby creating the conditions necessary for more efficient and consistent communications, and finally reducing the overall burden on Jackson County taxpayers. Tim George, challenger Age: 50. Town: Medford. Education: Bachelor of science in criminology, Southern Oregon State College; FBI National Academy graduate, Quantico, Va. Experience: More than 29 years of law enforcement experience with the Medford Police Department as patrol officer, field training officer, detective, sergeant and current position of lieutenant. Division commander over investigations, gang/street drugs (including SROS) and community response. Over 4,400 hours of state-approved training. Commander of the SWAT/HNT team. Public information officer for the department. President of the Crimestoppers board, member and former chairman of Rogue Federal Credit Union since 1992. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Corrections/detension — The sheriff's responsibility to all Jackson County residents is to detain pre-trial suspects who are a threat to the community. The sheriff must ensure that suspects convicted of crimes serve their sentence. Jackson County has not been a safer place to live during the tenure of the current sheriff. 2. Meth epidemic — There is no strategic plan, no collaboration with other criminal justice entities, and recently the sheriff closed down JACNET. Jackson County's drug problem is at outrageous levels. The majority of criminal behavior here is fueled by methamphetamine. I will bring all available resources together to make a difference. 3. Personnel selection, promotion, training — I will not "hire my friends and fire my enemies." Political favors and "cronyism" have no place in law enforcement. Personnel training should be a priority. "The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle." Our sheriff's department requires continuous, high-level training. If you live in an incorporated city you may be under the mistaken assumption that the sheriff's race bears no meaning on your life. Think again. The following is a list of responsibilities for the sheriff's department. Provides airport and court house security Serves court orders, including divorce papers and restraining orders Issues concealed weapon permits Maintains the Jackson County Jail Provides search and rescue services Assists city police departments during emergencies Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com