Taney County Sheriff Candidate Forum Tonight in Forsyth

Jimmie Russell (Photo By: Monte Schisler)

Kenny Edmonds (Photo By: Monte Schisler)

Steve Dalton (Photo By: Monte Schisler)

By: Monte Schisler, News Director
Posted: Thursday, April 26, 2012

The three Republican candidates for Taney County Sheriff in the August primary get a chance to meet the public tonight during an open forum in Forsyth sponsored by the Taney County Federated Republican Women.

3 term incumbent Sheriff Jimmie Russell says his message is simple:

Jimmie Russell 2012A988

Kenny Edmonds is new to the political arena. He says name recognition is key for his campaign:

Kenny Edmonds 2012A990

The third candidate is Steve Dalton, who recently retired as Assistant Police Chief in Branson. He says he is enjoying the campaign thus far:

Steve Dalton 2012A992

Tonight’s Candidate Forum starts at 6 o’clock at Fat Daddy’s restaurant in Forsyth. Organizers say each candidate for sheriff will give a short speech and be available for questions. Guests are responsible for their own dinner and drinks.

=====(2^nd Version)======

Three candidates are vying for Taney County Sheriff in the August primary. Those candidates will stump for support tonight in Forsyth during a forum sponsored by the Taney County Federated Republican Women.

Three term incumbent Jimmie Russell was asked if his campaign strategy has changed.

Jimmie Russell 2012A989

Political newcomer Kenny Edmonds says he enjoys meeting voters:

Kenny Edmonds 2012A991

Retired Branson Police Officer Steve Dalton is the third candidate on the ballot. He says name recognition is important:

Steve Dalton 2012A993

Tonight’s Candidate Forum starts at 6 o’clock at Fat Daddy’s restaurant in Forsyth.

=====(3^rd Version)=====

The event starts at 6 o’clock at Fat Daddy’s restaurant. Organizers say each candidate for sheriff will give a short speech and be available for questions. Guests are responsible for their own dinner and drinks.

Comments (11) - comment on this story

Georgia S - 04/27/2012 5:47:53 AM

I was impressed with the speechs but more than that I loved the question answer period. It was nice to get to know Kenny Edmonds more. He definitely had ideas and opinions and gained my respect.

Laura - 04/28/2012 7:26:45 AM

I came back a little confused. Seemed to me that Jimmie Russell and Steve Dalton were giving us all the feeling that not only will we never be able to deal with the Meth problem in this town, but now on top of it there is a prescription drug issue that they can not see being resolved anytime soon either. Kenny Edmonds did say that he felt with tougher penalties to offenders and community awareness it can be accomplished. I would like to know what others think about this mess on our hands and someone clarify to me why 2 of our candidates seem to think it is a problem that can never go away. (That was my impression). I did some research and all over the U.S. towns are coming back with reduced crime and attribute it to tougher policies with meth distributors/ manufacturers. Yet our crime stats are still on the rise. I would really like some clarification.

thankful - 04/28/2012 7:45:45 PM

I am thankful to the group of women for putting on this event. To be able to ask questions of each and get their comments to the same question was great. You saw a little about their personalities.

Donna P. - 04/28/2012 10:45:07 PM

I found the speech from Edmonds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt6ozZex7Ko&feature=youtu.be looking for the other two

@ Laura - 04/29/2012 10:08:08 AM

I'm not running for any office, I will tell you that drug crime have been all over the country for many, many years. The Office of Sheriff does not make the penalties the state and the courts do, you are right we do need tougher laws to keep this under control. But without the courts and the office of the prosecutor we can do this. Law Enforcement arrests them it’s up to the Prosecutors’ office to charge them and to prove their case and then it’s up to the courts to sentence them. All we can do is to keep trying; we need a chief Law enforcement person that has the experience that knows the laws. I’m not telling you who to vote for; I’m telling you that we need experience. We have two guys that know the laws and have 20 plus years of experience and one that have less than eight months as a jailer for Taney County, then he worked for the state as a correction officer. We need experience, stronger laws. The sheriff can ONLY do what the law allows and nothing more. The Sheriff Deputies are now working 12-hour shifts more guys on the street and strong presents. Even the Highway patrol has beefed up the patrolling. You don’t hear all the small arrest that happens, but we do live in Taney County that has great Law Enforcement and they are doing a great job. Bless you guys and thank you !

Corporate Lady - 05/01/2012 8:58:10 AM

I think a major issue in this race is who can think outside of the box and rectify this communities crime in a manner that will be effective as we continue to grow. In business I find that someone with a broad perspective is generally the best when you need new ideas. The fact that Edmonds has a citizens perspective, a basic law enforcement perspective and was a veteran in an actual war - may be exactly what is needed to oversee the changes that obviously need to be made in this county to bring us up to par with counties of our size and larger in major cities. Branson will continue to grow, with that the population, businesses will grow with it. If we do not obtain a modern day philosophy to deal with the crime in this county SOON, we will never be able to "catch" up. I am not here to offend the other two candidates, but I think their years here in a small community in basically one role - without a real "Warrior" mentality - will not help propel us towards a brighter and safer future.

coin toss - 05/01/2012 7:30:07 PM

Not knowing the candidates all that much but what ive read about them, i decided to ask some of the people who work and have lived in this area tell me something about the people running for office instead of just listening to what the candidates say they can and will do. From what i concluded there is a former branson officer who people say they cant trust, a sheriff who doesnt fight for his workers ( no raises in 5 yrs? ),and one who is by no means qualified for the job. ive learned that talk is just that without actions to back it up , i guess we will see who does that.

@coin toss - 05/02/2012 6:52:27 AM

Before you cast stones you need to realize the reason the deputies haven't had a raise is not the Sheriff's fault, but instead the fault of the commissioners. I think if you talk to the actual deputies in this county (the ones who really know)you will find they support Russell 100%.

@coin toss - 05/02/2012 7:38:09 AM

I'm one who works for the current Sheriff, The sheriff can only give what the commission gives him. It’s true that we haven’t had a raise in 5 yrs. Every time the Commission tells the sheriff, if you cut your budget this much we will give raises. The budget was cut past what they ask for and still they haven’t given us raises. I blame the commission! We are working with a Skelton crew, help covering the courts, setting on inmates at the hospital, assisting in transporting inmates from different counties. I will support the Sheriff that will and has fought for us in the past. Sheriff Russell has improved the sheriff office since he has taken office, as a boss /politician you never can make everyone happy but I will stand by the current sheriff not because I have too, because I have that right to vote for whoever I want. I will vote for Sheriff Russell!

@corporate lady - 05/02/2012 9:38:44 AM

Don't be misled by what you think you might know. Kenny Edmonds has no basic knowledge of law; if he did Edmonds would have known you can't pay reserve deputies $3 a day like he claimed at the forum. Any person with knowledge of the law would know about minimum wage laws. Edmonds also talks about the Sheriff in Arizona as being his hero. Sure the Arizona Sheriff is tough on criminals, but he has also lost millons in lawsuits. This county is already having to make cuts without lawsuits; imagine what it would be like with them. This is obviously a man who speaks without thinking.

Edmonds supporter - 05/02/2012 3:34:44 PM

Like Edmonds said in the Taney County times today "Doing it like it's always been done doesn't mean it's better". While Russell talks about how he cant do anything about the methheads and Dalton talks about bringing in the DEA to do the Sheriffs job, Edmonds is talking about solutions and that is what we need SOLUTIONS! He was in the Gulf War and you are saying he cant lead this little county? It is time for a guy like him that can shake things up. I bet he can get further with the Commission than the other two. Bet he can find a way to get raises for us Deputies. I can voice my support on here but if I do it publicly I will lose my job - how cool is that! Thank goodness my vote is sealed. Edmonds has a huge amount of support from the Deputies - know that!