SILOAM SPRINGS -- The four Benton County Sheriff candidates told voters on the west side of the county why they were best for the job during a town hall meeting Monday night.
The four candidates -- Sheriff Kelley Cradduck, Lowell Police Lt. Paul Pillaro, Siloam Springs Police Cpl. Timothy Filbeck and Sheriff's Office Maj. Shawn Holloway -- spoke at the meeting the Siloam Springs Republicans Women sponsored at 318 E. Main St.
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
Each candidate was given 10 minutes to address the crowd of about 70 people, which is five to seven minutes longer than they've had at other forums. Each spoke about their background, experiences and what they would do if elected sheriff.
Cradduck highlighted what he has done in his first two terms, such as adding commissary and providing hot meals to use as behavioral modification tools, he said.
Cradduck also emphasized his support for moving the courts facilities from downtown to Southwest 14th Street in front of the Sheriff's Office and his desire for deputies to be equipped with body cameras.
Cradduck briefly addressed the controversy surrounding him. He was arrested Jan. 19 in connection with tampering with public documents, a Class D felony; and tampering, a Class A misdemeanor.
"Lately, I know I have been peppered with, for the last several months, with accusations and innuendos and gossip that's intended to destroy my credibility and my character," he said. "Eventually, I will have an opportunity to tell my side of the story."
Filbeck spoke about his family's roots to Northwest Arkansas and his more than 30 years in public service.
He said he would work to bring more unity among law enforcement agencies throughout the county as well as provide more youth programs and a junior deputy program.
Filbeck said he'd also bring more transparency to the department. Social media would be one avenue to help increase it.
"We as law enforcement officers are only as you, the people, perceive us," he said. "We could think we're the best thing since sliced bread, but if you, the public, don't think we're worth a toot, we're not worth a toot."
Holloway emphasized "leadership under pressure" he learned while being a SWAT team commander. He explained how he went from wanting to be a U.S. Wildlife Officer while in school to entering law enforcement to becoming the Sheriff's Office major over operations. He's been in that position for the last three years of his 21-year law enforcement career.
The Lincoln native said he believes the Sheriff's Office should be more visible and accessible, how crime should be targeted based on statistical data and how the department needed a long-term plan, especially with the way the region is growing.
"We need to be doing this long-term planning instead of this year-to-year knee jerk," he said.
Pillaro, who has had three members die from domestic violence, said he would work to develop a county task force for domestic violence. He also said he'd like to provide more training for deputies and implement a hiring preference for military veterans.
Pillaro addressed recent accusations he's heard that he would fire everyone if elected sheriff. He clarified he would like to speak to everyone and make sure their skills were being used.
Pillaro also emphasized he would be accountable to Benton County taxpayers if elected sheriff.
""Everyone in here would be my boss if I'm sheriff," he said. "That's the way things work."
There was a short question and answer session where attendees asked a couple questions, and each candidate was given a set time to respond. Two of the four questions were about the national debate regarding gun-ownership rights.
NW News on 01/26/2016