Two candidates are vying for Anderson County Sheriff in the Election tomorrow. The first is incumbent Vern Valentine. He served in the Kansas National Guard for 21 years and spent a year in Iraq in 2005. He says he will always support and uphold the Constitution of the United States, including the Second Amendment. Valentine started his Law Enforcement career in 1997, coming to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office in 1998, before being elected Sheriff in 2012. He has brought modern technology to the jail, 911 Communication center an been able to provide the Deputy Sheriffs with dependable equipment, body cams, and tasers, while staying within budget. He says he has saved on inmate health care cost, as well as increased the income of the jail by $200,000.
His challenger is James Akes. His career began in Anderson County, under Sheriff Hupp as a part time jailer. The Anderson County Fire Department gave him the chance to complete his E.M.T. Certification. Once completed, he worked full time as a Deputy in Linn County, where he has been the last five years. He says during his years of service, he has learned to be open minded and to listen to what the people want and need. He believes everything should be done as a team. If elected, he promises a focus on theft, drugs, mental illness and property crimes and implementing Crime Stoppers and Night Out Against Crime Programs in the county.
