Terese Amazi, Incumbent Mower County Sheriff Q.Crime rates are up locally,what techniques can you as sheriff implement to reduce those numbers? A. Active patrol can have an impact on crime rates. Any proactive measures, such as the “Drug Drop Box”, may have an impact on drug crimes,although this is difficult to measure. Drug crime investigation will continue to be a priority.
supervisors on a daily basis is important in this transition process. Relationships with other agencies and support services are critical in opening the new jail and running it efficiently. Developing and maintaining relationships are critical in all aspects of the sheriff’s office.I continue to build good working relationships with many different departments and agencies. I have also worked in all areas of the sheriff’s office; jail, patrol, use-of-force training deputy, undercover narcotics deputy, investigator, Chief Deputy Sheriff, K-9 handler and elected your sheriff in 2002.
Jeff Ellis, Challenger for Mower County Sheriff Q.Crime rates are up locally,what techniques can you as sheriff implement to reduce those numbers? A. Maximizing current resources through effective training,proactive versus reactive patrol, increased department morale,and active citizen involvement through police/community partnership is the very best strategy to attack rising crime rates in Mower County. By not only working together, but working together efficiently, we can really fight crime.
Q.With Mower County facing continued budget concerns, are there any ways you could operate the sheriff’s department Q.With Mower County facing continued more efficiently? budget concerns, are there any ways you Q.What other issue or issues are imporA.Budgets are continually monitored.New could operate the sheriff’s department schedules have been implemented and will tant to you as a candidate, and what polimore efficiently? continue to be evaluated to ensure they are cies do you favor in these areas? A. I’ve talked a lot about sensible leaderA.Currently all sheriffs’offices through the saving money.The County Board has recently ship and economic responsibility; those are signed a new medical provider contract in the State of Minnesota are working with a comvalues that I live.Years ago,I realized we could jail. Having a medical area in the new jail was pany to standardize policies of the sheriff’s ofmaintain services while saving tens of thoukey. An alcohol detoxification policy was re- fice and jail. Mower County is participating in sands of dollars by a simple schedule shift.This cently changed,with the new medical director this as well. With all sheriff’s offices and jails signing off. Cost saving measures, in all areas operating with the same policies, most litigaalso increased morale and provided critical of inmate healthcare, are expected. Constant tion should be minimized. training, with no increase in cost. While I was monitoring will be done to ensure this is the designing the schedule, I heard from admincase. Since 2004, the sheriff’s istrators “It will office budgets have been never work,”but I $700,000 under budget. The didn’t give up. County Board approves Another exambudgets. Those budgets are ple of living this never allowed to be inflated philosophy was for unforeseen costs. Addimy taking initiationally, I partnered with the tive to begin State of Minnesota on the meeting with the radio project, saving Mower County CoordiCounty taxpayers $440,000 nator and on a radio tower and building. County Finance I will do my best to continue Herald File Photo Director in 2009 this trend. Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi and challenger Sgt. Jeff Ellis take part in Monday night's regarding budgdebate sponsored by the Austin Daily Herald and KSMQ and moderated by Herald publisher etary issues. We Q. What skills do you Dave Churchill. need to keep have that you think are unique and make you open minds to stand out as a candidate? new ideas, working together with citizens to A. I have 24 years experience in law enkeep costs down while maintaining the highforcement. I have numerous years of jail exest level of public safety. perience in different facilities.This is important with the new jail about to open.Meeting with Visit austindailyherald.com today.
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Q. What skills do you have that you think are unique and make you stand out as a candidate? A. Leadership is about motivating diverse groups of people to work towards a common goal; communication, built on a solid foundation of technical skill,is key.Following these principles, I’ve found great success: I’ve developed and defended policy in federal court; implemented a nationally recognized police program, including cost and liability analysis; I’ve tirelessly sought to improve my leadership skills,completing a police Supervisory Certificate program consisting of Ethical Decision Making, Motivational Leadership, Managerial Communications,Media Relations,and Police Management Principles & Practices; I’ve volunteered on regional and national executive boards,engaging in budgetary management, training development, and policy implementation; and I’ve received over 25 letters of recognition and commendation.A proud testament to the kind of leader I am is the recent announcement of support from local law enforcement officers across agencies. Q.What other issue or issues are important to you as a candidate, and what policies do you favor in these areas? A. Effective leaders know how to communicate – especially with the people they serve. The sheriff is the ONLY elected law enforcement official, so it’s critical that the sheriff always listen to the concerns of the citizens. Several years ago the current sheriff disbanded the Civil Service Commission, effectively silencing citizen input outside a single day in November every four years. Our government is based on a system of checks and balances, and this Commission provides balance to the power of the Office of Sheriff.I believe this Commission needs to be reinstated, so that this valued,important citizen input can be prominent in our County’s law enforcement.