Marty Gordon, NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Four of five candidates for Montgomery County sheriff took part in a public forum Friday at the county administration building.
Over 100 people attended the event in person, and many others watched it online.
Three Democrats – Greg Warden, Ed Hertling and Tim Brown – joined Republican Tim Shepherd. The other Republican, Robert Page, was absent.
Initially, Page had planned to attend the forum but issued a statement since he would be attending the funeral of the recent Carroll County deputy’s shooting death and would not make the event.
Brown, Hertling and Shepherd also attended the funeral and were able to make it back to the forum.
Page is using social media as a major component of his campaign, his first for any public office. This is where he broke the news about not being at the forum. Initially, he had said he looked forward to speaking to voters. Then two days later, he posted an explanation on why he would not be there.
“I regret to inform you that I will be unable to attend tomorrow’s candidate forum, as I will be representing our county and paying my respects at the funeral of our recently fallen law enforcement officer and brother,” he posted. “I am disappointed to miss the forum, especially because it was scheduled in advance and I had looked forward to the opportunity to speak directly with members of our community.”
He continued to say there are moments in life that transcend politics and campaigns.
“I remain committed to earning the trust of our community and welcome every opportunity to discuss my vision for the future of our sheriff’s office,” he said.
Page, who is a Republican, will seek the nomination on June 20 during a firehouse primary by the party against Shepherd.
The other Republican addressed Page’s absence at the end of Friday’s forum. Shepherd said he was disappointed.
“Four of five (candidates) went to the honor the Carroll County deputy. Three of those four then felt compelled that being at this open forum was a priority. I hate I did not get the opportunity to actively debate Robert Page and get his opinion on the topics,” Shepherd said.
The two Republicans have had several join appearances during that party’s weekly luncheon, but not any other open event like this one on Friday.
The Democrats will not decide their nominee until August. None of the Democrats mentioned Page’s absence.
But organizers said they had tried to contact Page and push Friday’s forum back 30 minutes to allow him to get back from the funeral. In addition, organizers said they also sent an email about possibly cancelling the event. They did not receive anything from the Page campaign.
The other candidates tried to take advantage of the public event in the Montgomery County Supervisors’ meeting room.
The forum hit on subjects like cooperation with ICE, school security, use of new technology and proper training of deputies.
Several candidates said there needs to be a change in the sheriff’s office especially in addressing challenges for the county over the next two-to-five years.
Brown said the department must do a better job in recruiting and keeping new personnel.
“I look at recruitment as an investment,” he said.
Brown also pointed to the continued meth drug problem in the area. “We must target the dealers and must be more proactive.”
Hertling agrees the most pressing issue in Montgomery County is drugs. As sheriff, he said, he would hit drugs from both sides.
Shepherd is pushing for more K-9 dogs within the department to help in searches and also believes the drug problem is the biggest challenge over the next five years.
“We need to stop it at the sources. More K-9’s will help with this enforcement. I would also like to start a division just to handle traffic and form a DUI task force.”
Warden hit upon the mental health problems throughout our community.
“Community engagement has not existed in Montgomery County. We also deal with the homelessness population that is growing.”
Shepherd said the mental health issue is broken across Virginia.
“We must have deputies well-trained in this,” he said.
Brown and Hertling agreed that officers need more training.
In their closing remarks, Shepherd pointed out this election comes down to who is prepared to handle the sheriff’s office on day one. He emphasized his experience and military background. Hertling agreed the election comes down to experience.
