Editor's note: Candidates for local 2012 races are welcome to email their candidate announcements to jhowell@theintermountain.com.
Randall Elmore, a lifelong resident of Randolph County, has announced his candidacy for sheriff.
Elmore lives in Coalton with his wife, Pam. They are the proud parents of three children, Justin, Wes and Cassie, all of Randolph County. He is the son of the late Ray and Judy (Guire) Elmore and the grandson of the late Fred and Gladys Elmore and Frank and Julia Guire.
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Elmore
Elmore is a 1984 graduate of Coalton High School.
He belongs to several civic organizations. When his children were young, he spent many enjoyable years coaching T-ball, Little League baseball and youth basketball. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting and fishing.
He has 13.5 years with the Randolph County Sheriff's Department. Elmore started as a corrections officer in the county jail, and then became a deputy, where he worked under the administration of three different sheriffs.
He is a graduate of the West Virginia State Police Academy and the West Virginia Corrections Academy. He also worked with the United States Marshals Service as a special deputy.
"I have many hours of additional training and certifications. While with the Sheriff's Department, I was promoted up to the rank of lieutenant," he said.
He resigned his position and left on good terms from the Sheriff's Department for a job with better pay and benefits that better suited the needs of his family. Elmore currently is employed with Kroger as a loss prevention specialist.
"I have missed being a part of the Sheriff's Department, and with the help of the voters I hope to be back there soon," he said. "I do not consider myself a politician; I am just an average citizen who is honest, hardworking and well-qualified in business management and law enforcement experience. I have the will and desire, and am committed to being a great sheriff."
He is running his own campaign with the help and support of family and friends.
"I have no political influences. I have not asked for the endorsement of any political or civic group, organization or association. These endorsements will not improve mine, or anyone else's, ability to perform the duties of sheriff," he said. "The most important, and only endorsement that I seek, will come from the voters of Randolph County on May 8 with a vote for Randall Elmore for sheriff. Together we can make our county a safer and better place for all."
He said he will have an open-door policy, and citizens will be able to reach him day or night, at the office or by phone.
"I will work with all citizens, and city, county, and state officials on any issue that may arise. By working together as a team, solutions can be found quicker and problems can usually be solved more efficiently," he said. "I will seek to obtain any and all grant funding that is available. There are grants available for equipment, training, educational programs, and personnel. These grants would make the department more efficient and increase our ability to protect our citizens, and would not cost the taxpayers any additional money."
Randolph County deputies serve as bailiffs for three courts. By working closely with the County Commission and the courts, his goal is to obtain a court security officer system. This would relieve deputies of bailiff duties, which could be as much as 120 man hours a week. They would have more time to dedicate to patrols of the entire county, including nights and weekends.
"I will be a working sheriff, one who is out alongside his deputies patrolling and protecting the people of Randolph County. I will do my best to provide 24-hour coverage; the presence of law enforcement is a deterrent on criminal activity," Elmore said. "I will strive to make sure all calls that come into the department are answered in a timely manner, day or night, seven days a week. Not all calls are an emergency, but all calls deserve to be returned."
He also noted that drugs are a problem. As he talks to people, almost everyone knows someone who is dealing with a drug issue.
"I will attack this problem on two fronts," he said. "First with the creation of a functional drug task force, this would mean a partnership with other law enforcement agencies, working full-time on tracking suppliers and dealers. This would include the prescription drug issues also. I will work diligently with the prosecutor and the courts on getting the maximum sentences possible for all drug offenses. Second is the demand for drugs, we need to rehabilitate and educate. If we get rid of the demand, there will be no dealers or suppliers.
"I believe educating our young people is key, they need to have all the facts. There are grants available to help create better educational programs, programs that the Sheriff's Department could take to schools, scout groups, churches or anyone that would like the information. It is essential that we start these programs at an early age. We cannot wait until our children have already been faced with the decision to use drugs. They need to know what drugs are, and the dangers associated with using and dealing, this also includes prescription drugs.
"By working with the prosecutor and the courts, we need not only to punish, but to also find a way to obtain more treatment for those with drug additions, so they will not be repeat offenders."
He said he welcomes the opportunity to speak with voters, and anyone with a question can feel free to call him at 304-614-8468.
