News : Election profile: Benton County Sheriff Candidate Randy Forsyth

Randy Forsyth

The Republican candidate for Benton County Sheriff is incumbent Randy Forsyth, who was first elected in 2004.

Below is Randy's candidate profile:

Sheriff Randall L Forsyth

Family

Wife: Cynthia – Benton County and Iowa County Clerk of Court. We have been married 36 years.

Son: Nathanial - Head Baseball Coach and Administration at Ellsworth College, Iowa Falls, Iowa

Daughter: Emily Marie – Completed her Master’s Degree at the University of Indiana and currently employed in the Health Science field and teaching college courses in Huntsville, Alabama

Education/Degrees

University of Iowa 2 years, Graduate of Iowa Law Enforcement Academy for full time peace officers; Kirkwood College and Hawkeye Community College for advanced law enforcement courses.

Community Involvement

Kiwanis Day Breakers, North Benton Ambulance 25 years, Virginia Gay Hospital Board, Benton County Mental Health Board, Vinton – Shellsburg Athletic Boosters Board 1996 to 2008, IHSAA Football and Baseball Official

Experience

39 YEARS OF CONTINIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH BENTON COUNTY,

Benton County Sheriff for 7 ¾ years

Chief Deputy Sheriff for Benton County for 25 years

Managed E911 Communication Center since 1978

Jail Administrator for Benton County for 19 years

Chairman of the Benton County E911 Board from 1978 to present

Vice Chairperson of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Telecommunications Board Member of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Curriculum Review Board

Chairman of the Governors Law Enforcement Communication Advisory Committee from 1988 to 2008

Member of the Midwest Organized Crime Investigation Center

Councilperson for the City of Vinton from 1986 – 2004

Mayor of the City of Vinton 1982-1984

I am seeking my third term as your Benton County Sheriff. I have worked in law enforcement since volunteering in high school and have dedicated my entire career to Benton County with the exception of 3 years worked in Johnson County.

Issues:

One issue is experience and leadership.

My 39+ years of experience will provide a strong foundation of expertise allowing new ideas to be developed on day-to-day operations. As Sheriff the last 7 3/4 years and Chief Deputy for the previous 25 years, I have been actively involved in the process of day-to-day administration, employee development, and budgeting. During that time, I also served in management positions as Mayor and city councilperson for the City of Vinton for 18 years. I served as Jail Administrator for 19 years. I attended the National Institute of Corrections in the design of jails, staffing and operations. As Communications Supervisor since the late 70’s, I have overseen employees, development, and operations of these divisions. I have been the E911 center manager since its inception in 1989. I am currently chairperson of the Benton County E911 Board, past chairperson of the LEATAC (Governors Law Enforcement Administrators Telecommunications Advisory Committee), and vice chairperson of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Telecommunication’s Advisory Board and a member of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Curriculum Review Board . I have chaired and served in other organizations and boards during the last 39+ years.

Another issue is that of finances and coverage. During an average month, the sheriff’s office receives 350-400 calls for service, reporting 30-35 different types of events. Citizens requesting assistance with a variety of issues, that are not criminal in nature, make up 30% - 40% of these calls. By tracking calls for service, we have been able to identify trends, allowing us to schedule deputies accordingly. I will continue to review trends and adjust schedules and shift staffing levels to provide the best service possible for the citizens of Benton County. Traffic complaints, accidents and traffic safety are a concern. Being a larger county with major highways, traffic accidents are responsible for more deaths, injuries and dollar loss than all other crimes combined. Through public awareness and proactive enforcement we have seen a decline in fatality accidents. We have secured funding through grants to provide equipment and overtime patrol hours to focus our attention on traffic safety. I will continue to seek these grants and make traffic safety a priority.

In past years we have had the luxury of being able to budget for the unknown. Budgets have always included funding for inmate medical expenses, employee overtime and funding to cover agreements with union contracts, unexpected serious and extensive criminal investigations, extradition expenses dictated by other agencies and paid for by our office, and other unexpected occurrences. With budget cuts over the last year, most of these extra items have been greatly reduced or eliminated. Funds for non-filled employee positions were eliminated causing me to be seriously concerned for the public’s safety. During the last 7 ½ years I have been able to work with the Benton County Board of Supervisors and, by conserving in some areas, have been able to increase staffing by adding two more patrol deputies, two K-9 units, one full-time communication specialist, and re-establish positions that had been cut through budget crises. The construction of the new correctional facility caused by the floods of 2008 opened in June of 2011. The facility has mandated the increase of jail staff by 4 full time correctional officers. The addition of updated equipment has given us to ability to better protect and serve not only the public but to enhance officer safety.

The goal is to provide the best service at the lowest cost to taxpayers.

Continued professionalism and open communication with the public. Over the past years we, as sworn officers and civilian employees, have worked hard to make this office one of the most progressive and professional sheriff’s offices in the state. I believe I can continue this tradition and expand it even further. This type of professionalism and dedication can be accomplished by continuing with current philosophies that I endorse; a close working relationship with all other law enforcement agencies, continuous ongoing training for all employees, cross training to share responsibilities and improve efficiency, a common sense appreciation of the law and its

enforcement, and a close working relationship with the public. The people of Benton County are the backbone of our office. Without public input our office would not be as effective in the fight against public crimes. I have always maintained an open pathway of communications and will continue in the future. As one of the few officers to maintain a listed telephone number during my career, I welcome input and concerns from you.

Goals:

The Sheriff’s Office has many responsibilities and it is difficult to identify one area or activity that needs more attention over others. I have seen the need to shift our focus and priorities as the situations arise and change over time. I believe we need to be aware that what may appear to be a minor concern for some is in reality a major problem for others. One of the most important functions of the Sheriff is to be involved in the community and willingness to listen to the citizens to help identify current concerns and problems. I have always made myself available for public input at any time and I will continue to do so. I will work hard to provide employees with training and equipment to enable them to respond with efficiency, yet flexibility, fairness and common sense, to the variety of concerns and problems that Benton County citizens face. I believe if we are proactive and address concerns before they become problems, it will be beneficial for all involved. It is important that we keep an eye on the broader picture and not become focused on a single problem.

I believe in rural America, where voters look for the best all around person with knowledge, training, dedication, and experience to do the job. While not everyone agrees on every topic, I believe differences of opinion are what make this great nation what it is. I trust that the citizens of Benton County will research the rhetoric to base their decisions.

Campaign Phone

(319) 475-4508 Campaign Email: randy.forsyth61@gmail.com Office e-mail: r.forsyth@bentonsheriff.com or sheriff@bentonsheriff.com