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The safety and security of Greene County citizens has been the number one issue in the Republican primary race for Greene County Sherriff. Tomorrow, voters will choose a republican and democrat to square off in November. Nathan McVay has more on the three candidates vying for a spot on the Republican ticket.
Three men with years of experience in Springfield law enforcement will be on the Republican ballot tomorrow for Greene County Sherriff.
Each man has his own background and priorities but each shares the same goal, to better protect and serve Greene County.
Mark Webb is a retired officer who decided with the help of his wife that this was the next thing to do with his life.
'I've lived here my whole life as a police officer for the city of Springfield, I retired as a police Lt. I've spent most of my adult life trying to make Springfield a better police for our families and bus. I've seen the quality of life we've enjoyed beginning to slip away"
Gene Thomlinson is the Director of Security at Evangel University and he agrees with Webb that there needs to be a change in Greene County law enforcement, but he believes he is the best choice to make these changes.
"I believe the morale of the department is as low as I have seen it in my 37 years of being there. I think it's time we get back to balanced method of law enforcement and get the morale of the dept back where it needs to be and the service where it needs to be. "
Jim Arnott has worked at the sheriff's office for twenty years and he is hoping to take the next step to becoming Greene County sherriff.
"I am quite aware of the crime problems we have since I deal with it everyday. I know exactly what the problems are and I have the solutions to accomplish the things we need to do at the sheriffs department."
Arnott says he hopes to use his experience working in the sheriff's office to focus on making changes.
"Of course our number one priority is going to be to work on crime, but then also within the dept I am going to work on the salary, schedule and the budget, as far as asking for new officers and help with finding the right staff."
Mark Webb says he would like to establish a better relationship with the citizens of Greene County and pool his resources to better protect all areas.
"You've got to get the officers to these areas, you've got to build report and trust bonds with the citizens in those neighborhoods and let them know that you are there for them and are going to address the problems with the resources available."
Gene Thomlinson says he wants to make changes by using Greene County's officers in ways they haven't been in past years.
"Number one priority is to get back to balance in law enforcement, getting our cars back in the county, not working the fringe areas in the city, not working downtown in the square, but working the actual counties."
The primary election for Greene County Sherriff is tomorrow. Democrats will decide between two sheriff candidates who want to be on the November ballot. They are Jerry McGeeHee and Mike Ramon. Polling places will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. For KSMU News I'm Nathan McVay
