Where I stand
Transparency and Real Oversight
When the public had questions about Ridglan, our Sheriff posted a video and disabled the comments. When his office planned a welfare check of the facility, it was announced in advance, a “scheduled” walkthrough that gave the facility time to prepare. When county supervisors sought information after April 18th, the department went quiet behind its lawyers, and the County Board’s oversight has been largely frozen ever since.
That is a pattern, and the pattern is the problem. A public official who shuts off public comment, telegraphs his inspections, and stonewalls the elected board that oversees his budget is telling you exactly how he views accountability: as a threat to be managed.
I see it differently. Accountability is the job description.
As Sheriff, I will:
- Keep public comment open. You do not get to mute the county you serve.
- Publish use-of-force data and policies on a regular schedule, in plain language.
- Cooperate with the County Board and independent review, including making senior staff available to answer oversight questions.
- Conduct real, unannounced welfare checks where the law allows, instead of scheduled photo opportunities.
- Answer records requests promptly instead of treating them as a nuisance.
If a department is doing its job well, transparency costs it nothing. If it is not, transparency is how we find out. Either way, you deserve it.