3 pursue Democratic nomination for sheriff

MONROE — Three candidates are vying for Monroe County sheriff in Tuesday's Democratic primary — Tom Redmond and Dale Malone, both of whom are retired from the sheriff's office, and Charles Harrington, Jr., an area businessman.

Republican Jan Jay is running unopposed and will advance to the November election.

The candidates are seeking to replace Sheriff Tilman Crutchfield, who will retire as the county's top law enforcement officer at the end of the year.

Mr. Redmond, 63, of Lambertville, spent nearly 37 years with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, retiring in 2010 as a sergeant. He immediately joined the Dundee Police Department, where he holds a part-time position as a sergeant. He also is an officer with Erie Township.

"I care about where I live. I care about the people in the community. I have a passion for law enforcement," he said.

Mr. Redmond spent 22 years as a detective during his career and was the first detective assigned to the Bedford Township substation. This was from 1997 to early 2009. He also worked at the Monroe County jail as booking officer and midnight supervisor.

Mr. Harrington, 65, is the owner of Harbor Marine in Bolles Harbor, a business he bought in 1988. Prior to that, he was chairman of the board of the former Jones Transfer Co.,

His late father, Charles G. Harrington, was sheriff from 1954 to 1984. The younger Mr. Harrington was a regular deputy for a year in the 1970s and served as a special deputy for some years after that.

Mr. Harrington said his 40 years of business experience is needed to handle the office's $17 million annual budget.

"I am a proven leader," he said. "Part of the job is putting the right people in the right place to do a proper job."

Mr. Malone, 53, of Ash Township, worked 29 years for the sheriff's office, retiring in 2010 with the rank of major. He oversaw road patrol operations for 20 years in which he was in charge of six townships.

Mr. Malone said he decided to run for sheriff after he was approached by deputies who promised to support his campaign.

He is pledging to take on the heroin problem that he said is plaguing the county.

"There is a heroin epidemic in Monroe County," he said. "We need to tackle the drug problem in the county."

He said he wants to restore funding in the office budget to put more deputies on the road.

Voters also will make decisions in two nonpartisan judicial contests.

Four candidates will appear on the primary ballot for 38th Circuit Court judge, with the top two finishers advancing to the November election. Daniel White, who was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Joseph Costello, Jr., faces challenges from Ronald Benore, Jr., Jarod Calkins, and Cheryl Sweeney.

In the race for Monroe County Probate judge, Frank Arnold, who was appointed to the seat in July, 2010, is up against Anthony Brescol, Jill LaVoy, and Melissa Matiash.

There are two contested primaries in Monroe County's nine county commissioner districts.

Rebecca Hicks, Mark Johnson, and Jacob McLaughlin are seeking the Republican nomination for the District 5 seat. The winner will face Democrat Jason Turner, who is unopposed in the primary.

In District 7, Mary Oneil and Richard Russell are vying for the GOP nod. The winner will face Jon Cook.

Voters also will choose between Robert Duffey and Charles Londo in the Republican primary for a seat on the Monroe County Road Commission.

Mr. Londo is a former county administrator, and Mr. Duffey currently serves as an appointed member of the road commission.

Contact Mark Reiter at: markreiter@theblade.com or 419-724-6199.