FOUR RUNNING FOR BOLLINGER SHERIFF

MARBLE HILL -- Curbing crime in Bollinger County has prompted four men to run for sheriff in Bollinger County.

Voters will chose one candidate from each party to run in the November general election. Polls are open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Incumbent Dan Mesey is seeking his second term in office. Mesey filed as a Republican. He will face Dan Hovis in the Aug. 6 primary.

Mesey was first elected sheriff in 1991 after serving two years as a special investigator for the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department. Mesey has 30 years experience in law enforcement: He spent 23 years as an officer with the St. Louis Police Department before moving to Bollinger County.

During his term in office, the sheriff's department has received awards from the Missouri Association of Counties for its emergency notification system and Sheriff's Posse.

Despite low funding, inadequate equipment and manpower, Mesey has worked to rebuild the department. Prior to his election the department was "riddled with indecision and unable to adequately service our community," Mesey said. "I'm proud of this county, its history, its future and, most of all, its people. If re-elected, I will continue to stand up for what is right, regardless of the cost. I won't forsake the goal of serving the people."

Like Mesey, Dan Hovis wants to serve the people and give something back to his community. Hovis is a lifetime resident of Bollinger County and wants to build a rapport between the sheriff's department and the residents.

Since many county and city residents are concerned about jail breaks, Hovis would like the department to upgrade police coverage in all areas of the county and to notify residents if a prisoner flees. Another election goal is to hold public auctions to sell confiscated property seized by the department.

"I would like to be able to give something back to the people who have given me so much," he said.

Hovis, a business owner and salesman for 22 years, does not have experience in law enforcement but would attend training academies if elected. You can't gain the values of life by simply attending a police academy, he said.

Democratic candidates for sheriff include H. Wally Gansmann and Dennis W. Willis.

Gansmann is a retired officer from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. He spent 10 years as chief of detectives, but also worked as a special duty sheriff, road patrolman and field commander.

"I am proud to be a resident of Bollinger county and I feel I have something to contribute to this community," he said. "If given the chance to be your sheriff, I think you will like what you see in my professionalism and my service to the community.

Gansmann wants to implement a community policing program to familiarize residents with deputies and to establish better communication and relationships with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and other government and law enforcement agencies.

Dennis W. Willis is opposing Gansmann on the Democratic primary ticket.

Willis, a former deputy in the Bollinger County department, is currently employed by the City of Marble Hill as a police officer. He has nine years of experience as a law enforcement officer in Bollinger County.

"I will make only one promise to the people of Bollinger county," he said. "If elected sheriff, I promise to use the experience I have along with the common sense to do the best job for the people."

Like the other candidates, Willis would like to expand the neighborhood watch programs and update and expand the watch areas for the deputies.