Debate Set: 5 of 6 Candidates for Sheriff Expected to Attend

HELENA-WEST HELENA, AR -- On Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Helena Municipal Building, Ray Foran, Robert Ford, David Lawman, Fred Smith and Wayne Webb, will square off in a discussion about the future of the Office of the Phillips County
Sheriff and Tax Collector. This debate will be recorded and will air on KJIW FM 94.5 [1] beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday night.

These candidates are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The winner will face two independent candidates in the November General Election: Mr.Neal Byrd and Mr. John Tilson.

Sheriff Ronnie White, who has served since January 1, 2001, is not seeking re-election. Sheriff White's departure has left an opening through which eight (8) men are striving to cross. Sheriff White succeeded Sheriff T. L. Green (May 1, 2000 - December 31, 2000) who was appointed by the Phillips County Quorum Court to serve out the remainder of Sheriff Kenneth Winfrey's term.

Sheriff Winfrey served from 1987 through his retirement on April 30, 2000. Winfrey succeeded Sheriff Marion Selmo Hickey (1967-1986) who had succeeded his father, Sheriff Edgar Putnam Hickey (1947-1966). PhillipsCounty had another father son team elected during different time periods. F. F. Kitchen served 1898-1910 and 1916-1921 and Frank F. Kitchen, Jr. 1931-1946. Joseph Barlow served as Sheriff between 1929 and 1931 and J. D. Mays was Sheriff from 1921 to 1928. Records are incomplete regarding who served as Sheriff between 1910 and 1916.

THE SHERIFF AND TAX COLLECTOR IS ELECTED TO SERVE TWO (2) YEAR TERMS
AND OFTEN IS RE-ELECTED TO SERVE UNTIL RETIREMENT, RESIGNATION OR DEATH.
THEREFORE, THE WINNER OF THE MAY PRIMARY OR JUNE RUNOFF (IF NEEDED) WILL
HAVE HISTORY ON HIS SIDE.

Here's what Wikipedia says about Sheriffs in Arkansas:

In Arkansas, sheriffs and their deputies are fully empowered peace
officers with county-wide jurisdiction and thus, may legally exercise
their authority in unincorporated and incorporated areas of a county.
All peace officers in Arkansas, whether sheriffs, city police, state
troopers, or constables, have state-wide arrest powers for any felony
criminal offense committed within their presence or view.

The duties of an Arkansas sheriff generally include providing law
enforcement services to residents, managing county jail(s), and
providing bailiffs for the county, district, circuit, and other courts
within the county.

With very limited exceptions, sheriffs and their deputies may exercise
their official authority only within the geographical boundaries of
their specific county.

The office of sheriff was created by the state constitution and the
office has not been substantially changed in 100 years.

Sheriffs in Arkansas are elected in even numbered years by citizens of
their county to serve a term of two (2) years in office in accordance
with the state constitution. Sheriffs rely upon the county's
legislative
body, known as the "Quorum Court", to appropriate funding and approve
the yearly operating budget. However, in all other circumstances, the
sheriff is entirely independent in the management of his elected office
and is not subservient to or accountable to any other elected county
official or body.

In some counties of Arkansas, a sheriff cannot campaign for reelection
while wearing a county owned badge.

If you would like to participate, please email questions to
debate@insidescooponline or use our twitter handle @scooponline and
hash tag #pcsodebate.

Wiki - Sheriffs in the United States [2]



Links:
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[1] http://www.kjiwfm.com
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheriffs_in_the_United_States