THE LEVISALAZER.COM MANAGEMENT AND STAFF HAS DECIDED TO TAKE THE ELECTION TO THE CANDIDATES IN THIS YEAR’S NOVEMBER 6, GENERAL ELECTION.
The citizens of Lawrence County will have the opportunity to choose leaders for the next four years and we want you to know all we can provide.
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE IN OUR 5 DAY LAZER POLL THIS WEEK ON MAIN PAGE!
This week we decided to ask the first questions in the series of the SHERIFF CANDIDATES. Republican Chuck Jackson faces off with fellow deputy Mark Wheeler, the Democrat in what many see as the tightest race of all this year. Here’ what each had to say:
Democrat Mark Wheeler
LAZER Question #1:We have had the same sheriff for 16 years now. If you win, what do you plan on doing differently and what are some of the first goals you’d like to accomplish as Sheriff?
WHEELER ANSWER: I believe we are in a situation where overall things run pretty efficiently at the Sheriff’s Office and I am proud to have been part of getting it to where it is today. We handle the majority of the calls for service in the county and have come a long way in providing quality law enforcement services to the citizens. I will work to maintain an efficient office which includes tax collection, paper service, court security and law enforcement duties.
With that being said some of the first goals I will look into accomplishing are:
Work to hire motivated and qualified deputies to fill vacant positions which will allow us to provide better services to the citizens.
I have been working for several years closely with other agencies to help reduce the amount of drugs being brought into and sold in the county. I believe it would be a huge asset to combine forces to have access to equipment and funding to accomplish that goal. This is something I will build on.
Work to complete the reaccreditation of the sheriff’s office for our second 5 year period through the KY Association of Chiefs of Police. At present we are one of 19 sheriff’s offices out of the 120 in Kentucky to be accredited. Through the accreditation process we have helped establish more structure and minimize our agency’s exposure to liability, reducing vicarious liability suits by following standards that are commonly accepted in law enforcement. It also promotes accountability among agency personnel and the evenhanded application of policies.
With all this being said I will not promise the citizens of Lawrence County anything that I cannot accomplish and I will do the best job I can as the elected Sheriff to keep Lawrence County a great place to live and raise our families.
Question #2: Where do you see the opiate crisis after 4 years of YOU being Sheriff? How do you plan handling the crisis?
I believe that it will take a combined effort of good caring law enforcement officers and other community partners that over the next 4 years that we will see the rate of opiate addictions decrease due to the availability of substance abuse treatment centers. These treatment centers give individuals a good foundation along resources that will help them throughout life to stay focused and continue to beat their addiction. Law enforcement has evolved from just arresting and putting individuals in jail to the point where we need to address the underlying issue as to what drives their addiction and the way they pay to support that addiction. I believe that this will help reduce the crime rate in Lawrence County and help bring families back together.
As Sheriff I will continue to do what I have being doing for several years as a deputy and that is to help individuals get into treatment whether that is through the drug court program or recommending substance abuse treatment through their sentencing in the court system. I have on several occasions called the treatment centers to get information on their services and help facilitate individuals getting into the programs. I have given out a list of treatments centers and phone numbers to individuals who wanted the change. On the law enforcement side of handling the crisis I will work to aggressively go after those individuals who are selling the illegal drugs as well as prescription drugs. I have worked for several years with the Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement/ Special Investigations Unit to conduct controlled buys here in the county and will continue to do so. Through that work there have been multiple drug dealers taken off the streets. We will continue to be proactive with the fight drugs.
Republican Chuck Jackson
LAZER QUESTION# 1-We have had the same sheriff for 16 years now. If you win, what do you plan on doing differently and what are some of the first goals you’d like to accomplish as Sheriff?
JACKSON ANSWER: I plan on having a more community-oriented office not only by being more involved with the youth but by being involved with the residents and community events. I will be accessible and actively involved with community as much as I can as well as encouraging each officer to do the same.
My first goals I have plan to accomplish will be the setting up of the drug interdiction program. Along with already ensuring a K9 unit will be available, I have reached out to surrounding agencies. These agencies have already established successful interdiction programs. They have generously agreed to share resources, training and tactics that they have already found to be effective in their own communities. I intend on using their input, their trial and error ,This will help us create a program that is best suited for Lawrence County.
My second goal:
Would be building a strong Foundation throughout the community with the youth. I plan on doing this through assemblies and reaching out and utilizing resources I have already connected with.
Question #2: Where do you see the opiate crisis after 4 years of YOU being Sheriff? How do you plan handling the crisis?
I can’t tell you for sure where we will be in four years with the opioid crisis. Through the years we’ve been fighting the War on Drugs in one form or another, prescription pain pills, bottle dope ,bath salts, now crystal meth and heroin. It seems like we move from one drug-related epidemic to another. What I can tell you is that I strongly believe the only way to fight any drug epidemic effectively is through drug interdiction. Prevention programs through partnerships and shared resources educating our youth before the drug addiction spreads, rather than just picking up the pieces. It is my intention to fight these drug epidemics both new and old and to the change tactics as often as they change.
I believe it’s going to take all of Lawrence countians working together to make a real and positive change.
Thank you for your consideration and vote Chuck Jackson on November 6th.
I know this is gonna be a close race but honestly knowing both of them VERY WELL personally and have had for over 20 yrs now, it comes down to who will honestly be the best sheriff. And I don’t see how the choice couldn’t be Chuck Jackson. The man has little to no ego, he doesn’t use his badge to flash his authority, he treats everyday common citizens and equals and knowing his background he came from a hard working family that wasn’t well to do and knows what it’s like to be just common and doesn’t look down on people.
Mark may have all the qualifications in the world and definitely has the desire to be sheriff but he also has been known to and does use his badge to flash his authority. He went from being a good friend and just a run of the mill guy to being cocky and arrogant, very unlikeable, and he definitely looks down on people. I’m not saying any if this bc I don’t like Mark bc I do and he has been a friend for a long time but it’s time we are honest with ourselves.
Chuck Jackson is by far the best man for the job.
I know both these men well. I like them both equally. But I’m telling you right now Mark Wheeler is the man for the job. He is professional and committed. A vote for Mark is a vote for experience and dedication. A vote for Chuck is a vote for personality and inexperience. Lawrence County will be truly disappointed and let down if they vote Chuck.
Inexperience? Are u kidding me? This man has been with the sheriffs dept in Lawrence County for a long time. I would guess probably 12-15 yrs anyhow and before that he was the city cop in Fort Gay, WV. So if your a man who says u know both then you would’ve known that and would have to know that you may be able to say a lot of things u may not like about Chuck but inexperience is definitely not one of them. All your getting with Mark is two faced, broken promises. But I guess that’s the personality your talking about, haha. If ur not bright enough to figure it out I’m being sarcastic.
Mark is by far, the more dedicated officer. Prepared, well-rained, and ready to step in and take his fight against crime and drugs to the next level ! We are lucky to have him……….
Mark is the best qualified to replace Sheriff Roberts. He is honorable, dependable, dedicated just to mention a few of his qualities. The Sheriffs’ office is responsible for several things besides law enforcement the first and most important duty is Tax Collector and then Court/Bailiff Security, Paper Processing Services. Mark is by far better qualified for to insure that the office is run with professionalism and integrity. Law enforcement is important to the citizens of Lawrence County, but we all need to remember that Lawrence County is geographically a very large county and patrolling it can be a difficult task. I personally feel that Mark is NOT making promises that can not be kept and is being very honest and accessible to all citizens with any complaints or concerns. I wish we all would remember when voting that this is not a popularity contest, but a very important position that we are electing. Mark Wheeler is the best choice on November 6th.
Being in the law field I can tell you Chuck Jackson is by far the most qualified candidate for sheriff of Lawrence County. I have seen him bring cases into court and he is tough but fair. He’s honest, reliable and understands what needs to be accomplished in the county. Drugs are a major problem and I can tell you first hand that you won’t see his campaign signs in drug dealers yards as you see his opponents are being done. That tells citizens a lot. You cannot go wrong with achuck Jackson as sheriff. I agree with “Gary”..I have seen the arrogance of Mark Wheeler in and out of the courtroom. The good citizens Lawrence County does not that type of sheriff. You need someone that is well balanced, not a bully with a badge.
Chuck Jackson all the way!!!
Chuck Jackson would be the best candidate for Lawrence County as his proven record and his commitment to continue to serve with excellence.
Levisa lazer should do a poll for the judge race. Hope you get it chuck!!
Mark Wheeler all the way
I will vote for mark
Chuck Jackson all the way!
Our family supports Chuck Jackson.He is the best candidate for Sheriff.
I know this is gonna be a close race but honestly knowing both of them VERY WELL personally and have had for over 20 yrs now, it comes down to who will honestly be the best sheriff. And I don’t see how the choice couldn’t be Chuck Jackson. The man has little to no ego, he doesn’t use his badge to flash his authority, he treats everyday common citizens and equals and knowing his background he came from a hard working family that wasn’t well to do and knows what it’s like to be just common and doesn’t look down on people.
Mark may have all the qualifications in the world and definitely has the desire to be sheriff but he also has been known to and does use his badge to flash his authority. He went from being a good friend and just a run of the mill guy to being cocky and arrogant, very unlikeable, and he definitely looks down on people. I’m not saying any if this bc I don’t like Mark bc I do and he has been a friend for a long time but it’s time we are honest with ourselves.
Chuck Jackson is by far the best man for the job.
I know both these men well. I like them both equally. But I’m telling you right now Mark Wheeler is the man for the job. He is professional and committed. A vote for Mark is a vote for experience and dedication. A vote for Chuck is a vote for personality and inexperience. Lawrence County will be truly disappointed and let down if they vote Chuck.
Inexperience? Are u kidding me? This man has been with the sheriffs dept in Lawrence County for a long time. I would guess probably 12-15 yrs anyhow and before that he was the city cop in Fort Gay, WV. So if your a man who says u know both then you would’ve known that and would have to know that you may be able to say a lot of things u may not like about Chuck but inexperience is definitely not one of them. All your getting with Mark is two faced, broken promises. But I guess that’s the personality your talking about, haha. If ur not bright enough to figure it out I’m being sarcastic.
Mark is by far, the more dedicated officer. Prepared, well-rained, and ready to step in and take his fight against crime and drugs to the next level ! We are lucky to have him……….
Mark is the best qualified to replace Sheriff Roberts. He is honorable, dependable, dedicated just to mention a few of his qualities. The Sheriffs’ office is responsible for several things besides law enforcement the first and most important duty is Tax Collector and then Court/Bailiff Security, Paper Processing Services. Mark is by far better qualified for to insure that the office is run with professionalism and integrity. Law enforcement is important to the citizens of Lawrence County, but we all need to remember that Lawrence County is geographically a very large county and patrolling it can be a difficult task. I personally feel that Mark is NOT making promises that can not be kept and is being very honest and accessible to all citizens with any complaints or concerns. I wish we all would remember when voting that this is not a popularity contest, but a very important position that we are electing. Mark Wheeler is the best choice on November 6th.
Being in the law field I can tell you Chuck Jackson is by far the most qualified candidate for sheriff of Lawrence County. I have seen him bring cases into court and he is tough but fair. He’s honest, reliable and understands what needs to be accomplished in the county. Drugs are a major problem and I can tell you first hand that you won’t see his campaign signs in drug dealers yards as you see his opponents are being done. That tells citizens a lot. You cannot go wrong with achuck Jackson as sheriff. I agree with “Gary”..I have seen the arrogance of Mark Wheeler in and out of the courtroom. The good citizens Lawrence County does not that type of sheriff. You need someone that is well balanced, not a bully with a badge.