Sussex County to pick new sheriff this year

Untig stepping down, so far four are vying for position, By Stacy Maldonado The Sussex County Sheriff is the only law enforcement official elected by the people of Sussex County. Since November 1989 Sheriff Robert E. Untig has served the county — completing seven 3-year terms. In a recent conversation, he said with mixed feelings that it is time “to move on. I am very happy with what’s been done but it’s time for someone new to step in and carry the torch.” So far, four candidates have filed to become the 71st sheriff in an office that was established in 1753. Since all four are Republicans, the June 8 GOP primary will determine which one will go on the November ballot. Chairman of the Sussex County Democratic Committee Edwin Selby said no Democrats have filed, although petitions are not due until April 12. Sheriff Department duties The position of sheriff has a long and colorful history. At one time, the department was responsible for carrying out hangings. These days, one of most important functions is to provide court security. This includes overseeing the jail, transporting inmates to and from court, serving papers, deed foreclosures, levies, and basically “whatever others don’t really want to do,” said Sheriff Untig jokingly. “When people don’t show up for court, it’s our job to find them, issue warrants for arrest. We also deal with extraditions and prosecutions,” said Untig. The Sheriff also has a narcotics task force that provides tip lines in the Crime Stoppers program and it manages the use of canines for investigations. The office is proactive in parent and child education about drugs—a platform that all of the candidates are talking about because of increased presence of gangs and heroin activity across the county. Who’s running Dan Storey Dan Storey, a 34-year resident of Vernon Township, has been with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years and is currently a corporal. He believes he is most qualified since he already works in the office and has “a grip on the agency. I am out there every day and I see what’s going on,” said Storey. He plans to make education a priority across all ages, from children and their parents to senior citizens, amongst other important issues he has plans to tackle. Michael Strada Andover Township resident Michael Strada is giving this a second try, having lost to Untig in 2007 by just 143 votes. Strada is a Detective Supervisor with the Mt. Olive police force, where he has served for the last 15 years. Prior to that, he was with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office for two years, and was stationed in Iraq with the U.S. Army during the First Gulf War for four years. Strada said he plans to “continue with the same programs that Bob has been running, but what I really want to do is expand the inmate program.” In Strada’s opinion, it costs thousands of taxpayers dollars to incarcerate prisoners, and he rather have them “give back to the community.” Strada also wants to implement a bracelet program for low-level, non-violent offenders, rather than keep them in jail. “In these tough economic times,” said Strada, “we need to look at how to share services.” Jay Ziegler Jay Ziegler has been a resident of Andover Township since 2004 — a move he said he and his wife made to raise their five children in a safe and friendly environment with good schools. For the last 23 years he has been a police officer in Leonia, for the past five he has been chief . Ziegler said, “I will provide the qualified responsible leadership that is required to control the budget, while at the same time improving upon the professional excellence of the Department.“ He said he feels he accomplished these things as chief in Leonia. Wayne Yahm Wayne Yahm, a resident of Franklin for the past 22 years, was the Democratic candidate in 2007, but has now switched to the opposing party. He said “there’s nothing partisan about public safety, and my beliefs in fiscal responsibility, smaller government, less taxes and zero tolerance on crime are more in line with the Republican party.” Currently a captain with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Yahm has been a law enforcement professional for over 28 years. In addition, he led a task force to New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina in 2005 for search and rescue. He also volunteers in the area, including for the American Red Cross. Yahm said that his “certified management experience and over two decades of service at nearly every level of public safety, best prepares me to be our county’s next sheriff.” All Republicans Ailish Hambel is the chairman of the Sussex County Republican committee. He said all four candidates are serious contenders who have filed petitions already. There are a few others who have mentioned the possibility of running, but haven’t picked up petitions. “Since they are all Republicans,” Hambel said, “I am planning on treating each candidate equally.”

To learn more about the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office
Visit their Web site at www.sussexcountysheriff.org
To submit your petition to run for Sussex County Sheriff
Click on Form Center at www.sussex.nj.us