Profile: Gary Schaaf, incumbent Perry County Sheriff (R)

Date of birth: 1956

Place of birth: Perryville

Spouse: Tamara

Children: Amanda Geile, 33; Brian Schaaf, 25; Aaron Schaaf, 23

Occupation: Sheriff, Perry County, Mo

Employer: Perry County

Businesses owned: none

Public offices held: Police chief of Perryville, sheriff of Perry County

Past political campaigns: see above

1. Would you support resurrecting another tax initiative to support law enforcement and improve the jail?

Answer: One of the main reasons for the tax proposals was to be able to increase the salary of the deputies. with recent passage of HB 2224, starting personnel out with a competitive wage has become a lot easier. Although other surrounding agencies still pay several thousand dollars more as a starting salary, ours will be much closer to parity. We should be able to attract and retain good people much easier with this arrangement, and so I do not think a sales tax is necessary at this time.

2. How would you best use funds for law enforcement in light of two recent failed tax proposals?

Answer: Both proposals involved monies for salaries and monies for building repair and maintenance. Passage of HB 2224 will help with the salary issue and the commission has found a way to fix the main problem we have with the current facility, the roof and the HVAC. Of course, we still need expansion of the current facility, and certain modifications to the existing layout would greatly enhance staff, as well as inmate, safety. But we'll just have to try and find another way to fund this.

3. Name two areas of law enforcement that will be at the top of your priority list.

Answer: My priorities have always been combating illegal drugs in our community and reducing criminal activity in Perry County. We consistently make more drug-related arrests in Perry County than any other agency operating within our jurisdiction. We work closely with the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and federal law enforcement agencies on a regular basis to keep the heat on those dealing in illegal drugs. I'm proud to say I have been on the executive board of directors of the SEMO Drug Task Force since its inception in 1990.

Burglaries have declined and remained low for Perry County under my direction. The year before I took office there were 77 burglaries in Perry County. We have gradually reduced those numbers and last year we experienced only 13 burglaries for the whole year. So far this year, we have had only eight burglaries, and had no reports for the whole month of February. We have achieved this because my personnel are trained and dedicated to serving the people of Perryville/Perry County.

4. Why do you feel you're the best person for the job?

Answer: I believe I am the best candidate because I have proven that i am effective in administration of the office of sheriff of Perry County. In fact i am the only candidate that has ever actually administered a law enforcement agency. I have proven that I can work with other area agencies and the citizens of our community to make it a better, safer place to live, work and raise a family. I have proven that I'm there for them when disaster strikes and will do everything within our power to ensure their safety and recovery.

Anyone can make claims and promises, and politicians are noted for that. But i can honestly say that when i first ran for the office of sheriff I promised to do exactly what I have been doing since I took office. I have kept my promises and intend to continue to do so.