Sheriff's candidates square off in public forum

Tuesday, Feb. 9 began the debate for the 2016 sheriff election for Boundary County. Candidates Dave Kramer, Dave Schuman and Sheriff Greg Sprungl were invited to be participants in the event which were open to the public and moderated by Steve Fioravanti. Sheriff Greg Sprungl who is running for re-election was invited multiple times but absent without response from his office.    

The two hour debate established ground rules for the debate, including five minute introduction by each candidate. Proceeded by Mr. Fioravanti challenging each candidate to a hypothetical scenario and each was given 90 seconds to respond. The last allotment of time for the debate was for community questions and answers by the candidates.  

Candidate Kramer was born and raised in Boundary County. His career in law enforcement at age 15 as an explorer for the BCSO. For 20 years he served as the Police Chief where he retired in 2008 after 30 years. He was invited by NIC to be the Director of the Northern Police Academy but declined the honor because it required moving his family out of Boundary County. Additionally, he is an active member of the Search and Dive team, as well as the Dive Team Leader. His dedication to the community is shown in all aspects of his career from working with the volunteer ambulance to coaching the Special Olympics on a local, national and international level. 

Candidate Schuman is a retired Army Sergeant with 20 years in the  U.S. Army as a Military Police Veteran and has been married for 25 years.. Schuman has 600 hours of formal training in leadership including,  supervising U.S. and foreign civilian and military. He prides himself on strong family values and constitutionally based candidate.

 The platform he is running on is to employ quality control and improve school security, while remodeling training for staff and citizens. He also believes that it is necessary to start a neighborhood watch to decrease crime while increasing community involvement. Schuman also stated that our jail is not certified by the state; and it is not safe or proper for all concerned.  

 Fioravanti, “Civil Forfeiture: “ What is your position on civil forfeiture and why?”

 “Thank you, I’ll base my opinion on the experience I have,” Kramer said. “ We have used civil forfeitures a few times during my career, and primarily what’s it been connected to is drug trafficking cases. There has to be a good reason to tie the property in. And what we look at civil forfeiture, it’s a decision not by just law enforcement, it’s a decision made by the county prosecutor.”

A community question followed, asking how candidates would address bomb threats at schools.

“Multiple ways, I am a K-9 officer, have been for the last 12-14 years now,” Schuman said. “ Been running the program here. If elected sheriff, we will have at least three dogs up here, one will be a munitions dogs.” 

 Although each candidate is only quoted one topic, both agreed on topics chosen to quote. 

Those that turned out for the event were notably passionate on the subject at hand. The upcoming election for Boundary County Sheriff is Nov. 8. There is still time to register to vote.