County judge and sheriff candidates face off

PEA RIDGE -- Sheriff Kelley Cradduck faced off Monday night at a forum against the three men attempting to defeat him in the upcoming Republican primary election.

Cradduck, Lowell Police Lt. Paul Pillaro, Siloam Springs Cpl. Timothy Filbeck and Sheriff's Office Maj. Shawn Holloway are the four Republicans seeking the position of Benton County sheriff. The forum, which was sponsored by the Pea Ridge Optimist Club, was held Monday night at Pea Ridge High School.

Sheriff hopefuls

There are four candidates seeking the Republican nomination for Benton County sheriff. Glenn Latham is running as an independent and will face the winner of the Republican primary in November. The primary election is March 1. Early voting begins Feb. 16 and continues through Feb. 29.

Source: Staff report

Kent Marts, the publisher for Northwest Arkansas Newspapers' weeklies group, and Pea Ridge High School students Levi Peronia and Allie Van Houden were the moderators.

The candidates were asked about their daily attendance at work.

Pillaro said they joke a bed should be in his office due to time he spends at work. Pillaro said he loves working and wanting to help and assist other officers at the department.

Cradduck said last year was a tough one for him and his family. He said his wife was ill and had to go to the Mayo Clinic and he was hospitalized last year after suffering a stroke. Cradduck said people have made up rumors about his illness.

Holloway said last year was one of the busiest of his entire career. Holloway said he went out on numerous SWAT calls and had to attend Quorum Court meetings, along with preparing the 2016 budget for the Sheriff's Office.

Filbeck said he used one sick day last year and didn't take any annual leave.

The candidates were asked about their qualifications to handle the budget for the Sheriff's Office.

A question was asked about the Sheriff's Office having roadblocks within city limits.

"I am a city officer," Pillaro said. "If I got people coming into my city, I would like to know about it."

Pillaro said the Sheriff's Office should assist the cities.

Cradduck said the Sheriff's Office averages 125 call per day. "We are all over the county every single day," Cradduck said.

Cradduck said the roadblocks in cities and unincorporated areas of the county saves lives.

Holloway said deputies respond to calls in the county but questioned the response time. "If you are calling 911 would you want a deputy there in 30 minutes or 10 minutes," Holloway said.

Holloway said they need to notify the local agency if the Sheriff's Office is doing roadblocks in that area.

Filbeck said law enforcement agencies have to work together. Filbeck said some deputies should be patrolling in the county, but deputies assigned to specialized divisions need to go where the crime is.

A question also was asked about whether the candidates had been investigated or indicted for a crime.

Filbeck said he's never been indicted or investigated for a crime.

Pillaro, 44, said at 18 he was accused of disturbing the peace and was found not guilty.

Cradduck, 45, of Rogers is currently charged with tampering with a public record, a Class D felony; and tampering, a Class A misdemeanor. His arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m Feb. 22 in Circuit Judge Robin Green's court.

"I did get two milks in the lunch line yesterday," Cradduck said. "That's another one."

Cradduck said he had been falsely accused.

Holloway said his name has come up in internal investigations, but he was cleared each time of any wrongdoing.

Filbeck said he's also been sued as a law enforcement officer, but never had a internal investigation against him.

County Judge Bob Clinard and his opponent Justice of the Peace Barry Moehring also spoke at the forum.

Moehring said roads are the first priority for the county judge, but he said the county needs a comprehensive plan to deal with roads.

Clinard countered and said the plans dealing with roads are in an ordinance and the county used several factors when it comes to paving roads.

Clinard said the county judge and Quorum Court will have to work together on the proposed new courthouse. Clinard said it's his responsibility to bring a solution to the Quorum Court and then the Quorum Court has to decide how to pay for the project.

Moehring said he's against a tax increase for the new courts facility. Moehring said he believes current buildings can be refurbished along with a modest expansion to resolve the issue with the new courts facility.

Clinard was critical of Moehring's candidacy and described his opponent as a cartoon movie salesman. "It's his wealthy supporters against my common sense," Clinard said.

Clinard said he has the qualifications and experience to serve as county judge and added Moehring had plans but no solutions.

Moehring objected to the description of him as a cartoon salesman. Moehring said he has 20 years of executive experience with companies and he has opened offices around the world and handled budgets in excess of $100 million.

Moehring said people need to ask themselves if the county is in better shape after five years of Clinard's tenure.

The election is March 1 and early voting begins Feb. 16.

NW News on 02/09/2016

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