CHESTERVILLE – The Franklin County sheriff’s race kicked into higher gear Saturday as the three candidates squared off in a debate.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Detective Tom White, R-Jay; Deputy Albert Smith, D-Wilton; and current Sheriff Dennis Pike, I-Farmington, are all chasing the four-year seat, which will be decided on by county voters in November.

On Saturday night, the candidates’ three-way debate in the grange hall in Chesterville gave voters a face-to-face chance to pose questions to those in the running.

Around 50 people were at the meeting, coming from as far as Strong, to hear answers that will help them decide who’s name to put a check next to in November.

In addition to overseeing the patrol division, the sheriff is also responsible for the dispatch department and the jail. The total budget is more than $2 million and includes the management of more than 40 full-time employees.
Assessing strengths
“I am progressive in thought and action, and I’ve proven myself a leader,” White said when asked why he was in the race.

With experience developing budgets in both the private and public sectors and a number of certifications in the law enforcement field, the detective said he believes he is the best man for the job. He has been with the department since 1987.

Smith, who has been with the department since 1975, suggested his greatest strength was having experience working in all three divisions within the department. With a degree in accounting from Husson College and experience managing the family farm, Smith said he would do a good job with the budget side of the business.

He also expressed a desire to do more to connect youth with police officers before kids get in trouble. “I am very community oriented,” Smith, who has experience coaching youth sports in Wilton said, adding that he believes in getting kids started in the right direction.

Pike spoke of his accomplishments during his more than three years as sheriff, citing the addition of a transport van to the fleet and having people answer the phones instead of using an automated system as highlights.

He also noted the success of a program that saves the county money by allowing certain jail inmates to be released in to the community but continued to be monitored via an electronic tracking system.

Pike said he may have not made as much money as his classmates from Farmington High School, but said he’s earned more rewards.
Questioning costs
Many of the questions put forth by the public had to do with the escalating department budget.

Smith said there are ways to cut costs, such as not leaving the patrol cars idling when deputies aren’t in them and cutting down on phone calls from the cruisers.

White said he agreed there were ways to cut down by scrutinizing the budget line items more closely. With experience writing grants, White said that if elected, he hopes to set up a grant team inside the department to bring more outside money in. He’d also like to secure more training opportunities for department employees.
sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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