Sheriff candidates address Optimists

— Sheriff Keith Ferguson and his opponent Kelly Cradduck fielded questions from residents of the Pea Ridge area at the Pea Ridge Optimist Club meeting Thursday morning, April 15.

Cradduck began by specifying a lengthy list of credentials to Optimist members and guests, including his experience within Rogers Police Department, the S.W.A.T. team, as public information officer, School Resource Officer and more.

Ferguson, in turn, stood in front of the crowd and said he would not go into all the details about how qualified he was. Ferguson was an Arkansas state trooper for 32 years before retiring when diagnosed with cancer. He first ran for Benton County sheriff in 2002, was elected and took office in January 2003, and has now been sheriff for seven years.

Ferguson was the first to raise the subject of the recent controversy with the Sheriff Office’shandling of the man hunt for Cory Wolf, the Oklahoma man who evaded law enforcement in the area.

“I have taken care of the issue,” Ferguson said, as the recent firing of the deputy who failed to look into the Henson’s claim was front page news that morning.

Ferguson terminated the employment of Cpl. Todd Cornwell, after Cornwell and another deputy spent only 17 minutes investigating a sighting of Wolf in March at a Cloer Road residence. It was also determined the deputies did not check a camping trailer where Wolf was alleged to be hiding and did not file a report about the incident.

The first question from the crowd of about 40 people was directed to Cradduck, asking what he plans to do differently.

“I’m going to start by setting goals,” Cradduck said, mentioning major traffic problem areas in Benton County, reducing personal and property crimes, reducing warrants for arrest and bringing in a national standard of policies.

“I’m not going to spend millions on a jail,” he said.

Ferguson rebutted saying the Sheriff’s Office under his command is moving forward and thinking ahead. Ferguson has 209 employees who receive training every day in everything from terrorist attacks to disasters.

“Do they mess up? Yep. We’ve got human beings working for us,” he said.

Regarding concealed handgun permits, Cradduck said he taught a handgun class, and every person has a right to defend themselves and their family, referring to the constitutional amendment allowing citizens to bare arms.

Cradduck said he is in favor of the permits and of carrying a weapon, given the person has gone through the correct channels to be able to do so.

“I also believe in the Constitution,” Ferguson answered. “I’ve been a National Rifle Association member as long as Kelley has been on this earth.”

Ferguson said every permit comes across his desk and he hasseen increasing numbers in the past few years.

Bruce Sloan, from Garfield, brought up the lack of patrol on Beaver Lake, resulting in damage and theft of property.

Cradduck agreed that control of the lake is a problem, saying manpower is the issue.

“I’ve been to employee retention, that place is a swinging door,” he said. “To keep people,you’ve got to make sure morale is good so you can staff (something like) a lake patrol.”

“The lake is a problem,” Ferguson said. “I have 55 sworn deputies that patrol the highway. We have four boats. We just don’t have the manpower.”

Ferguson said his campaign is based on integrity and honesty,and that he won’t “blow smoke.”

“I can’t pull them off the highway and put them on the lake,” he said.

Ferguson said it takes a three month process through Benton County Quorum Court to even establish a position like that of a lake patrol. He said the Sheriff’s Office works in cooperation with the Coast Guard and part-time employees on the water.

“It’s not good enough to say ‘we are doing the best we can do,’” Cradduck said. “We’re going to find a way.”

John Lasater, president of Arvest Bank in Pea Ridge who helped start the Optimist Club in Pea Ridge, asked what the men’s stances are on a neighborhood watch system.

Ferguson answered first, saying there is a very active neighborhood watch in Lost Bridge Village and Bella Vista.

“We do promote it and it’s a good program,” he said, adding the problem was turnover and getting people involved.

Cradduck agreed that it is difficult to get members of the community involved.

Cradduck closed by saying he is intent on building good relationships and focusing on retention and professionalism in the department.

“I will not promote, hire or fire by pointing fingers.

Promotions should be fair.

I will not give badges to my buddies.

“I have yet to hear (Ferguson) say ‘Yes, we messed up, but the buck stops here with me, I am at fault,’” he said, again referring to the manhunt.

“The easiest way to make it go away is to fire someone,” he said.

Ferguson said: “I take responsibility for my department every day, but I don’t get out here to the media.

I let my people who do the work tell them what they do, what they have accomplished. They need that recognition, but it does ultimately come back to me.”

Merrill White, president of the Optimist Club, closed the meeting by saying both these men are pillars in the community.

“They’re both good guys, it just stinks that of office of sheriff becomes a political thing. But it takes them all to make it safe where you sleep at night,” he said.

News, Pages 1 on 04/21/2010