Profile: Joe Martin, Perry County Sheriff (R)

Age: 48

Family: Kate, three children

Occupation: Sergeant, Perryville Police Department; owner, Martin House Vending

Past political offices sought: I have never run for or held public office.

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

Answer: I'll never say never. However, I plan to form a Sheriff's Advisory Council made up of community members with backgrounds in business, law enforcement and social, civic and school organizations, which will develop recommendations about spending as well as a recommendations on how to best address the issues with the facility. Once the SAC has had a chance to form its recommendations, we will present them to the county commissioners.

There is a perception that our community doesn't support law enforcement because these two tax proposals have failed. That's simply not true. Our community will rally behind a fiscally sound, clearly stated proposal to improve jail facilities and provide wage increases for the men and women who protect them.

However, the community wants to trust that the money is going exactly where promised, and they want a sunset clause to give them — the people footing the bill — some oversight on the spending. That's fair, and it's something that I'm confident the SAC will take into consideration when developing its recommendations.

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

Answer: I will not spend money in any way that doesn't directly address my goals of making the jail safe for staff and secure for prisoners, paying deputies a living wage and providing the tools needed to protect the citizens of our county.

In addition to the SAC, I plan to form a Perry County Sheriff's Department Auxiliary, which can help raise money for needs outside those goals, much like many fire department auxiliaries do. The auxiliary can also be trained to provide community education programs and manage resident volunteers during disasters.

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

Answer: First, I will ask the Sheriff's Advisory Council to thoroughly examine past spending and the current budget to help direct spending as we work to meet some simple goals — making the jail safe for staff and secure for prisoners, paying deputies a living wage, and providing the tools needed to protect the citizens of our county.

Second, I will put enact and enforce new policies and procedures, which will solve most of what I consider to be problems within the department. If you don't have clear policies and expectations as a street officer, you don't have any hope of enforcing the laws in a fair and consistent manner. Every resident has the right to be treated fairly and compassionately when the victim of a crime and every suspect has the right to equal enforcement and humane treatment.

The core staff of the Perry County Sheriff's Department is solid and professional. With good guidance from the sheriff, this staff can provide excellent protection for and service to our community.

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

Answer: I believe I'm the best candidate because I have a vision for improvement. The current sheriff has been in office for 16 years and, if his press releases are any indication, the department is in worse financial shape than when he took office. I am a fiscal conservative and I don't believe that the sheriff's department can have success in any area if its financial affairs are not in order.

County residents want to feel safe in their homes, safe on the roads and want to know that someone cares about the safety and well-being of their children.

None of that can happen without properly trained and managed staff, clear policies and procedures and a safely operated and maintained jail — all of which depend upon a financially sound foundation.

Finally, my 30 years as a street officer gives me a deep understanding of our community's weaknesses and strengths. A sheriff must be in touch with the people he serves.