Former Lt. Pat Kelly filed as an Independent candidate for the Athens County Sheriff election Friday.
Kelly said he decided to run for Sheriff because residents of Athens County deserve a sheriff dedicated to the county.
We need new leadership
which I can provide because of my past 15 years of experience in the office he said.
Kelly has helped to write, obtain and implement grant funding for the sheriff's office, as well as supervise investigations and manage day-to-day operations of the patrol division.
If he is elected, Kelly plans to restructure the office. He said the department is in need of new training services and technology enhancements.
I will better manage existing personnel and increase patrol where more crimes are being committed Kelly said.
Kelly also submitted his resignation as lieutenant at the sheriff's office, according to state law. He works as a part-time instructor at the National Rangers Institute program at Hocking College.
Kelly will face the winner of Tuesday's Democratic primary - either current Sheriff Vern Castle or his opponent Glen Burchfield - and the Republican candidate David Redecker in November's general election.
Kelly would not comment on Castle's current administration because he said he is not running for county sheriff against any current or previous sheriffs.
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Nicole Bonomini
