Sheriff Ed Kilgore said he will seek re-election and he said his focus remains the same: better response, better service and a better end result.
Kilgore was elected sheriff in 2007 and said the last eight years have been rewarding because of the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community. Kilgore said he still feels his job is interesting and he enjoys what he does and hopes to continue doing it.
"We need to keep focusing on the needs of the community," he said.
Kilgore said he doesn't see many drawbacks to his job, although its necessary to be open and prepared for anything. And as for openness, Kilgore said he is always available to answer questions.
"If anybody wants to talk about where I've come from and what I've done I am willing to talk," he said.
Kilgore said the community is a solid one with core values and he wants to continue to maintain professionalism in the sheriff's office and help people in need with whatever services can be provided. Public safety is truly a 24/7 occupation, he said.
The politics of the job are not something he has difficulty with, Kilgore said, even though there will always be different opinions and points of view.
"Our job is not to please everybody," he said. "Our job is maintain public safety."
By doing their jobs, he said, some people might feel like the law is not on their side.
At the end of the day, he said, the main focus is to try to do the right thing. Kilgore said he has two goals when he comes to work each day: to do what he can for the community he serves and to do what he can to make sure the people who work at the sheriff's office get better at their jobs. Some days those goals are met, some days they aren't, he said.
Kilgore said a big part of why he still enjoys his job is because of the seamless cooperation and collaboration between all law enforcement and emergency response agencies in the community.
"I think we are on a pretty good path public safety-wise with the services we are providing and the cooperation between all the agencies," he said.
Kilgore said he realizes it is impossible to please everyone all the time but feels democracy allows for those differences in opinions.
"I truly think the American election process is unique," he said. "It does give people a chance to decide, and that's healthy."
Kilgore's announcement to run for re-election comes on the tails of a lawsuit that has been filed against the sheriff's office. The lawsuit alleges a deputy illegally seized money from the defendant. Kilgore said it's always alarming to get "painted in a bad light," but he feels comfortable with the sheriff's office's position.
Kilgore acknowledged that as the election gets closer, more criticisms and even some rumors will be voiced, but he said he will address those as they come when there is something tangible to back them.
"I truly love what I do and look forward to serving another four years," he said.
At this point no one else has announced running for sheriff, but Kilgore said he can't remember the last time it was an uncontested position.
Filing for the office opens March 3 and runs through March 14.[[In-content Ad]]
