TORRINGTON – Two Republicans, Herb Irons and George Mills, are competing for Goshen County Sheriff in the Aug. 18 primary. Both answered the Telegram's full candidate questionnaire. A third candidate, Diane Servantez, is running as a write-in and was not sent the questionnaire ahead of press time.
What motivates you to run for this office?
Herb Irons: I am running for Goshen County Sheriff because I believe our community deserves a Sheriff's Office that is professional, accountable, responsive, and focused first and foremost on protecting the people of Goshen County.
I want to bring strong leadership, common sense, and a commitment to the citizens back to the forefront of the Sheriff's Office. This community has given my family a great deal, and I want to give back by serving the people of Goshen County and working to make our county a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.
George Mills: Safety to the citizens and their assets, bringing trust back to the Sheriff's Office. Bring back a positive atmosphere to all staff in the Sheriff's Office. Enforcement of all laws in a firm, consistant, and fair manner. Protection of our citizens Constitutional rights.
What skills or experience qualify you to serve in this role?
George Mills: Over 31 years of Law Enforcement in multiple areas, from Corrections, Detention and Patrol. Over 2800 hours of training and certifications, to enclude but not limited to, Certified Field training officer in four different agencies as well a firearms instructor for three. Certified DAR (Drug Abuse Recongnition), certified rifle marksman, certified CIT (crisis intervention team), certified armorer for Penn ARMS (less lethal arms), Incident Command Sytem. President of the Crook County Law Enforcement Association from 1998 to 2000. Corporal with the Natrona County Sheriff's Office for twelve years.
Herb Irons: I have lived in Goshen County my entire life and have worked at the Sheriff's Office for the past 13+ years. This professional experience has given me an understanding of the criminal justice system from multiple perspectives, including the importance of good investigations, sound decision-making, accountability, and working with prosecutors, courts, law enforcement, and the community.
Being Sheriff is much more than wearing a badge. It requires leadership, managing people and resources, making difficult decisions, communicating effectively, and being willing to stand behind the decisions made.
How long have you lived in Goshen County, and what's your connection to the community?
Herb Irons: I have lived in Goshen County my entire life, graduating from Southeast High School in 2010.
Goshen County is home to me and my family. We have built our lives here, developed strong relationships throughout the community, and have a genuine investment in seeing Goshen County remain a safe and great place to live and protect.
George Mills: My family and I, have lived in Goshen County for over eight years. My daughter graduated from Southeast and will be attending EWC this fall. We moved our registered cattle heard to Goshen County and anticipate retiring in our great community.
What would you say is the top need or challenge facing the Sheriff's Office right now?
George Mills: Leadership! At the present moment, there is no leadership in the detention division or control. All the "leadership" positions are in the patrol division. In leadership, I will lead by example taking care of all staff. Doing everything I can for my staff during family emergencies, to include covering shifts so they can be with family.
Written Policy and procedures for the entire office!
Herb Irons: One of the biggest challenges is maintaining a strong, properly staffed Sheriff's Office while continuing to provide the level of service our citizens deserve.
Recruiting and retaining good people, maintaining morale, ensuring proper training, and making sure deputies have the resources they need all directly affect public safety. The Sheriff has to be willing to address those issues head on.
What are your priorities if elected?
Herb Irons: Put public safety first. Recruit and retain quality deputies and detention staff. Improve morale and accountability within the organization. Make sure deputies receive the training and resources they need. Strengthen cooperation between the Sheriff's Office and other law-enforcement agencies. Address jail and detention needs responsibly and proactively. Maintain an open line of communication with the citizens of Goshen County. Use taxpayer resources responsibly and make decisions with the long-term needs of the county.
George Mills: Safety of our deputies with better equipment that is not out of date or expired. Community service, ie VIN checks in a timely manner, vacation home checks that WILL be done. Patrolling "County roads". Protection of livestock, one, by patrolling and or trail camera's when requested by citizens. Extensive Drug Interdiction county wide.
Is there anything about your candidacy or background you'd like voters to know that hasn't come up elsewhere?
George Mills: I have training in Incident Command System", giving me the knowledge and the ability to handle emergency situations in a effective and organized manner. My experience of being deployed to northern Iraq and Turkey with the 10th Special Forces Group (A), during the original Gulf War and Operational Provide Comfort, instilled calm and patients while dealing with high stress.
Herb Irons: I am not running for Sheriff for a title or a position. I am running because I believe I can provide the leadership this office needs and because I genuinely care about the people of Goshen County.
I also believe the Sheriff should be visible and accessible. Citizens should know who their Sheriff is, be able to approach him with concerns, and know that those concerns will be taken seriously.
I will not promise voters that every problem can be fixed overnight. I will promise that I will work hard, make decisions based on what is best for Goshen County, and be accountable for those decisions.
What separates you from your opponent in this race?
Herb Irons: I believe this race is ultimately about leadership, direction, and what we want the Goshen County Sheriff's Office to look like moving forward.
I am offering voters a different approach focused on accountability, communication, employee morale, responsible management, and being more connected to the community. I am not interested in making this campaign about personal attacks. I want voters to judge me on what I stand for, how I lead, and what I believe I can accomplish for Goshen County.
George Mills: Over 2800 hours of Law Enforcement training, Militarty training Regular Army, and Nation Guard. As a Corporal with the 1/49th Field Artillery and 2/300 Field Artillery I was put in the leadership role of the reactionary force. Multiple times with my knowledge from 10th SFG(A) our unit defeating the experienced 6th Army each year I was in command.
What are your priorities for staffing and retention at the Sheriff's Office?
George Mills: My first priority for staffing will be to fill the two patrol positions that have been vacant for multiple years with qualified and expierenced personnel. In doing so will allow the deputies to have more time off with there families. In helping and hopefully retaining staff, I will not promote on the grounds of the good ole boy system! Being promoted or placed into a specialized area will take commitment and loyalty to the office! In the past I have experienced officers and deputies being promoted just by knowing the administration. Continuing retention is all about moral! Involving the staff with progress is key!
Herb Irons: You cannot have a strong Sheriff's Office without good people. Recruiting is important, but retention is just as important.
I would focus on creating an environment where good employees want to stay. That means listening to employees, recognizing good work, maintaining high standards, providing quality training, and ensuring employees have the equipment and support necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively.
How would you approach jail and detention capacity issues?
Herb Irons: Jail capacity needs to be approached with both public safety and fiscal responsibility in mind.
The county needs to have a realistic understanding of current and future detention needs rather than waiting until the problem becomes a crisis. I would work with county leadership, the courts, prosecutors, other law-enforcement agencies, and the community to evaluate available options and determine what makes the most sense for Goshen County.
Any solution needs to be safe, practical, financially responsible, and sustainable for the county's future.
George Mills: I have been involved in dealing with issue during my three decades of Law Enforcement multiple times. Surrounding detention facilities can be contracted to handle over flow or in emergencies.
Another priority for this issue, is building a new detention facility. The facility right now is out of date, putting a strain on the tax payers, as well as the safety for detention staff and inmates.
What's your view on the office's working relationship with other local law enforcement agencies?
George Mills: My office will have a very close working relationship. For one, taking calls for the highway patrol, not just waiting for their arrival. Taking calls for other agencies when they are busy on other calls and completing the incident and or case.
Meeting with agencies on a regular basis, to develope a cohesive unity.
Herb Irons: I believe cooperation between law-enforcement agencies is essential. Criminals do not care about jurisdictional boundaries, so law enforcement shouldn't allow those boundaries to prevent agencies from working together.
The Sheriff's Office should maintain strong, professional relationships with the Torrington Police Department, Wyoming Highway Patrol, neighboring sheriff's offices, state and federal agencies, prosecutors, courts, and other partners.
When agencies communicate, share information appropriately, assist one another, and work toward the same goal, the entire community benefits.
