A Republican and independent are vying for the job.
Two are vying to be Warren County's next sheriff.
Republican Jim McDonald won the nomination in June's contested primary. Three candidates had sought to replace the current Republican sheriff, David Gallant, who did not run for re-election.
Joe DeWitt filed to run in the general election as an independent.
We asked them what they saw to be the biggest issues facing the office. Their responses -- in their own words -- are below.
JAMES J. McDONALD Sr.
Republican
James McDonald, the Republican candidate for Warren County sheriff. (Courtesy photo) Age: 55
Hometown: Hackettstown
Job: I recently retired after a 30-plus-year career as a full-time police officer. I was the police chief in Washington Township for 19 of those years. In 2009 I and my department began providing police services for the Borough of Washington and Oxford Township.
Family: Married 37 years I have 3 children (son and 2 daughters) and 4 grandchildren. We live in Phillipsburg.
Political Experience: I am a member of the Warren County Republican Committee, past president of Warren County P.B.A. Local 280, and served my last 13 years as president of the Warren County Police Chief's Association.
What is the biggest issue facing the Warren County Sheriff's Office?
The biggest problem facing the Warren County Sheriff's Office at this time is the Bail Reform Act which takes effect on Jan. 1. This unfunded mandate which will require the court to have extended hours (nights and weekends) will require someone with law enforcement budgeting expertise to minimize the effect on the sheriff's office budget. I will utilize my 19 years as a law enforcement leader to guide the office of sheriff through the challenges and changes that the bail reform act creates.
What will you do if elected?
If given the honor of being the next Warren County sheriff I will provide in-house training to sheriff officers and also continue to assist with training local law enforcement agencies at no cost. As an instructor certified by the Police Training Commission I have assisted in training every officer in Warren County in "Response to the Active Killer" as well as many other areas of mandated training. This was all accomplished at no cost.
I will utilize the long dormant Life Saver program to provide those afflicted with diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, and autism a GPS device to help locate them should they become disoriented and unable to find home. I will speak to civic organizations and businesses and ask for help in funding these units for those unable to afford them.
I will reach out to our senior citizens on a regular basis to keep them updated on the latest scams which often target them. This will also allow us to hear their concerns. I will create a database of those seniors with disabilities or living alone to insure that they are checked on in the event of an emergency. This of course would be voluntary.
In my 19 years as chief of police I never exceeded my budget. I have always searched for alternative means of funding including grants and donations. Even when circumstances caused an overexpenditure on a particular line item, I and my command staff found innovative ways to stay within our overall budget. I promise to do the same as you next sheriff.
JOSEPH DEWITT
Independent
Joe Dewitt, independent candidate for Warren County Sheriff. (Courtesy photo) Age: 68
Hometown: Independence Township
Job: Retired, US Army Colonel, Military Police; Retired, Independence Township PD
Family: Wife, Nancy (RN), married 40 years. Three daughters (two teachers, one registered dietitian). Two grandchildren
Political experience: No domestic experience.
Education: Hackettstown High School; BS in criminal justice, Eastern Kentucky University, 1975, MP officers basic and advanced courses; command & general staff college; 2 one-year deployments in Iraq. My core values: God, Family, Army.
What is the biggest issue facing the Warren County Sheriff's Office?
The Bail Reform Act and construction of the courthouse security center.
The Bail Reform Act focuses on the pretrial release decision and to set non-monetary bail if appropriate. Basically one should not go to jail simply because they cannot afford to make monetary bail, other factors must be considered. The act is complex but timing is key for all facets. The sheriff's office will have additional manpower requirements because weekend duties will be required to meet the act's timing requirements. Additional manpower will also be required operate the new security control center entry portal. The act will not only effect the sheriff's office but also the courts and the prosecutor's office.
What will you do if elected?
If I am elected I will use part-time retired law enforcement professionals to supplement the full-time staff to accommodate the Bail Reform Act and the new security control center. These retirees receive pension and medical from their previous employment and will only receive an hourly wage from the county estimated to be $20-$25 per hour. If called upon I will recruit, vet and train Class 3 armed school officers for the nine townships that receive their general law enforcement support from the New Jersey State Police. If elected, I will keep the current two undersheriffs that have served the county well for the past 5-plus years. I will do everything possible to keep the sheriff office budget ($2,298,199), in check, including taking a reduced salary. I will continue to support the prescription medicine drop box and Project Life Saver -- a GPS device for certain people that may be susceptible to wandering. I will personally participate as a sponsor of the Veterans Assistance Project for veterans who have run afoul of the law. Lastly, I would like to lead a countywide elder awareness program, the emphasis being to prevent elder abuse usually in the form of physical abuse or financial exploitation.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.