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Political forum: Dudderar, Ward list qualities for sheriff's job |
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Monday, 05 May 2008 |
James Ward, owner of a security business, and Tim Dudderar, a Saline County sheriff’s patrol sergeant, each wants to be the new sheriff in town.
The Republican candidates touted their strengths Sunday afternoon during Political Forum 2008 at the historic Royal Theatre in Downtown Benton.
The forum is co-sponsored by the Courier and Courier TV 95.
Either Ward or Dudderar will face Democrat Bruce Pennington, also a sheriff’s sergeant, in the November general election.
Dudderar, 45, was director of security for the late Lt. Gov. Winston Rockeller and has been with the sheriff’s office about 11 years. He owned his own business for eight years.
Leadership is important both in business and law enforcement, Dudderar said, but the difference is that the latter requires that lifesaving decisions be made in a matter of seconds.
Ward, 31, is owner and operator of COP Security Systems, a business he and his wife started in Benton in 1998. The business, now in Alexander, provides security to homes and businesses in 56 Arkansas communities.
Dudderar, responding to a question about controversy in the sheriff’s office under the current administration, said his primary goal would be “to keep peace in the county.”
“My priority will be to serve and protect the citizens,” he said, noting that the operation of the county jail is chief among the sheriff’s responsibilities.
Ward said it is important for the sheriff to have open communication with the Quorum Court and work closely with surrounding police agencies. “The sheriff should be accountable at all times,” he said.
He added that it’s also important “to keep egos in check.”
Responding to a question from moderator Dave Woodman, Dudderar discounted opinions that there are personal and political divisions with the sheriff’s office.
He said he supports teamwork and believes he can lead the sheriff’s office effectively.
When the candidates were given an opportunity to ask questions of each other, Ward asked Dudderar about oral depositions he gave in a lawsuit filed against the sheriff’s office.
In Dudderar’s deposition, Ward said Dudderar had said he was “lazy” in his record-keeping.
Ward asked how he (Dudderar) could feel qualified to be sheriff if this were the case, but Dudderar said he does “not remember” making any remarks discounting his ability to keep records.
Dudderar asked Ward to name the three specific duties the Arkansas Constitution outlines for a county sheriff and also asked him to outline his experience.
Ward did not specify the three duties, but said he knows the primary duty of the sheriff is “to protect the citizens of Saline County.”
If elected, he said he would “put the right people in place to do this for Saline County.”
Dudderar promised to “lead by example” and said the difference between him and Ward is “experience.”
Ward pledged to “bring honesty, integrity and accountability to the sheriff’s office.” |
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