Tuesday's Democratic primary for Athens County Sheriff is the culmination of months of arguments and mudslinging for the county's only elected law enforcement position.
Sheriff Vern Castle is nearing the end of his second four-year term and is running for the position for the last time. Democrat Pat Kelly is challenging Castle for the party nomination.
Kelly says he is running for the office because over Castle's seven years the department lacks both accountability and credibility
and stated that the office has become divided under Castle's administration.
A representative for Castle disagreed with Kelly's claims.
For all the discussions of low morale we've never had anyone leave in seven years said Chief Deputy David Malawista, whom Castle asked to speak on his behalf because of a recent illness.
Malawista argues that Castle ' a Coolville native with nearly 30 years in law enforcement as a jailer, deputy and sheriff ' overshadows Kelly's experience.
Nelsonville resident Kelly disagrees, stating he can represent Athens County better than Castle has been able to during his administration. He spent more than 15 years in the Athens County Sheriffs Office until 2004, was a trainer in Baghdad for the International Police and Marine for five years.
My experience speaks for itself
he said.
Kelly said he would implement a quicker response team to crime in the county and be more accessible than Castle. For hard drugs, he will implement a new system of prevention, enforcement and education, he said.
Malawista stated that the current task force implemented by Castle is a large improvement over the previous one, as it involves a working relationship with departments outside the county to stop the trade of hard drugs early on.
The Athens County Sheriff position pays an annual salary of $69,372, according to the Athens County Auditors Office.Stephen Kane is running unopposed for the Republican nomination, which will also be held on Tuesday.
For all intents and purposes
I believe the election comes down to March 4
Malawista said.
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