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Election to decide Ward County sheriff

Although one already holds the office, it’ll be the first political race for two men contending for the position of Ward County sheriff. Robert Roed, captain, is facing off against appointed Sheriff Bob Barnard in November’s general election.

Barnard was appointed sheriff by the Ward County Commission following the retirement of former Sheriff Steve Kukowski in April 2017. Barnard had joined Kukowski’s staff in 2010 following lengthy service at the Minot Police Department.

“The way I feel right now is, we don’t have an elected sheriff. The commissioners appointed the sheriff with no consideration of anybody else,” said Roed. “To me the spot is open. Nobody has been elected sheriff.”

Roed, a Marine Corps veteran, has 28 years of experience in the Sheriff’s Department. He began his law enforcement career as a part-time jailer in 1990 under Sheriff Arthur Anderson and worked up through the ranks. He was appointed captain by Barnard.

“I don’t regret my decision even through he’s running against me,” said Barnard. “He has a very close relationship with the patrol officers.”

Barnard was appointed sheriff during a very trying time. He was named acting sheriff during the suspension of his former boss. Construction was underway on a new county jail as well.

“I thought, wow, this is my duty,” Barnard told the Minot Daily News. “I kind of felt like the last man standing. It was my opportunity to serve. Then they asked me to take over juvenile detention as well. I wondered what else was coming.”

A state appointed jail monitor was scrutinizing procedures at the Ward County Jail at the time Barnard took the reins of the Sheriff’s Office. Barnard says he was quick to embrace the suggestions and directions offered by the Department of Corrections monitor.

“We had so many problems,” said Barnard. “Rather than pushing back against them I welcomed the information that they brought us and the jail monitor as well. As a result of that we’ve made a lot of changes in the jail and, I think, we’re in a much, much better place than we were. We need to keep up with the times.”

While sheriff’s elections throughout North Dakota counties often have a current sheriff facing the challenge of someone else on their staff, both candidates for Ward County sheriff say they prefer an election over any other form of filling the sheriff’s position.

“I believe the sheriff should be elected,” said Roed. “When I was growing up my grandpa was the sheriff in Ramsey County for 16 years. I grew up with the lifestyle. A sheriff should be accountable to the citizens of Ward County.”

“I like the idea of an elected sheriff because I think people need to be able to make that choice,” said Barnard. “I know that there are arguments pro and con but, in the end, I think that’s best left to the choice of the people.”

While the boss versus employee political clash is nothing new in a run for sheriff, it always has the potential to create some tension within an office, even if well hidden. So far, says Barnard, any differences between him and his challenger within the department have been minimal.

“We agreed to keep it out of the office as much as possible and that has happened for the most part,” explained Barnard. “We don’t need that distraction. I’ve told all the employees that I’ll respect their decision.”

Roed says he’s been through office campaigns in the past, having served under four different sheriffs. Still, he says, there is always the inevitable signs of competition within the department.

“It’s been a long year. We’re cordial in the office but, obviously, uncomfortable,” stated Roed.

Both men have a number of campaign signs throughout the county, all painted by hand by the candidates. Both have a number of public appearances planned, most forums where voters will get to hear the views of each of them.

Barnard says he wants to continue to improve the Sheriff’s Department “to put it in as good a condition as I feel is possible, the best I can make it.”

The sheriff says he is on board with the temper of the times to have jails release people on alternative programs, which also helps reduce jail populations. However, says Barnard, a sheriff must always be mindful of his responsibility to the citizens of the county.

“Those programs are all well and good but we can’t do anything that jeopardizes the safety of the public,” said Barnard. “It’s a fine line but we need to be open to trying to find new ways, create new programs to incarceration if possible.”

Roed has similar views, saying he doesn’t believe an addict belongs in jail “just for being an addict.”

“The problem is,” said Roed, “Along with addiction comes crime to finance it. Victims need closure and the person needs treatment. The two should go together.”

One of Roed’s major points of emphasis in this election is the visibility of the sheriff. He feels a sheriff should make a sincere effort to become known throughout the county by attending various community events.

“The sheriff himself needs to be in the rural areas when there’s something going on. That’s where the sheriff needs to be,” said Roed. “That’s how you find out what’s happening in the county. I don’t think this is an 8-4:30, Monday through Friday kind of job. People realize if the sheriff only shows up during election years. Two years from now I don’t want people to ask who the sheriff is now.”

Budgeting is a big part of the sheriff’s responsibilities. Barnard says he’s “not a frills guy” and is “pretty conservative when it comes to spending money.”

“I spend your money, the taxpayer’s money, and I try to do it as responsibly as I spend my own,” said Barnard. “You don’t necessarily get what you want but you get what you need.”

Roed said his spending philosophy is to “stay within the boundaries” of the annual budget.

Both men say they would like to see more help in the transport division. Currently there are two transport officers in the department. They are tasked with transporting prisoners to and from other counties in the state, to medical appointments and evaluations.

“That’s not enough,” remarked Roed. “We could probably have five.”

“Transport has been a big issue with the sheriff’s office,” said Barnard. “We’ve had to move more labor into that.”

More visible presence in rural areas of the county is listed as a goal by both candidates. So too is increased use of technology, which could eliminate some of the need for patrol officers to make frequent returns to their Ward County base in Minot.

In the June primary election Roed was the leading vote getter among three candidates – himself, Barnard and Michael McCloud. Roed captured slightly more than 38 percent of the more than 8,000 votes cast. Barnard had 35 percent and McCloud just over 26 percent. McCloud was the third man out and eliminated from the general election. How the 2,234 voters who cast ballots for McCloud will vote in November is likely to have a big influence of the race.

Barnard says he has received endorsement from McCloud, but doesn’t know if that will necessarily convert to votes. As for the campaign, Barnard says he is staying away from all the negatives that seem to dominate national elections.

“I just refuse to do that. I just refuse to,” said Barnard. “It’s just not necessary. That’s a personal thing. If I lose because I’m not negative, then I’ll just lose. If you think the changes I’ve made have been positive and you want to continue with the change then you should continue with me because I have embraced change, endorsed change, encouraged change, positive change. I have no bones about saying that. I think we’ve accomplished a lot and it’s very rewarding.”

Roed maintains his leadership style, gleaned from observing operations under three previously elected sheriffs, makes him the better candidate for the job.

“We have different leadership philosophies,” said Roed. “I’ve learned things you want to do and don’t want to do. I see some issues with Barnard as well. I see some things we could do better. I’m excited for the opportunity, to keep moving on and pushing the department forward. I think there’s a lot we can do.”

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