Why are you running for office?
Because I love Hancock County. “Service above self” is the Rotarian motto. For my entire adult life, I have lived by that statement in all things. My reputation and integrity as the chief probation officer show I brought new ideas to the position. I want to bring that same forward thinking to the sheriff’s department and make Hancock County a safer and stronger community. Sheriff is a representative of the people and must put the community above himself. I have lived my life as a positive role model, and I would be honored to serve in the position if the people are willing to elect me.
What makes you a qualified candidate for the position?
Forty years in criminal justice and corrections, counting 4 years to earn my bachelors’ degree in criminal justice and corrections. I have 35 years as department head for Hancock County Probation, as well as 30 years as a reserve deputy sheriff, 10 of which was as division commander. I have administrative skills running a department, setting budgets, collection of fees, applying for grants, creating mental health and addictions programs as well as other educational county programs, and have a long positive record working with county council and commissioners in implementing ideas that have saved millions of tax payer dollars, yet still providing quality service to the deserving people of Hancock County.
What are your top three goals for the position?
1. Opioid crisis/expand treatment — I plan to immediately add another narcotics detective to the drug task force utilizing current staff numbers. We will expand treatment options to low level offenders to get addicts, mental health cases and veterans dealing with service created trauma out of the jails and back into our community as quickly and safely as possible.
2. Citizen/community safety — “Positive police interaction.” Officer and citizen interaction will immediately build trust so the public feels more comfortable in assisting our department to utilize a “see something, say something” initiative to make our county as safe as possible.
3. Prisoner work program — Implement citizen reserve division by trained, experienced qualified special deputies to supervise prisoner work crews not only cleaning the inside of the jail, but the entire community.
Do you support construction of a new criminal justice complex? Why or why not?
The project is much more than just a jail. It is planned to assist the courts, jail, community corrections, coroner’s office, probation, sheriff administration and the prosecutor’s office. I am pleased to see that the current thoughts are to utilize half of the bed space in the jail for treatment and rehabilitation programs, which should be able to be built at a cheaper price. If elected, I will work to provide quality space at the least amount of cost to the taxpayer. I highly recommend the public study up on the referendum question as much as possible.
Aside from drug enforcement, what other specialized enforcement should the county consider?
1. School protection — A national crisis which must be constantly addressed right here at home. Another reason the “see something, say something” initiative becomes important. We will do all things necessary to protect our children.
2. Elderly protection — Scammers and abusers of our elderly will not be tolerated. Specialized officer to work with Adult Protective Services and provide training to elderly and their care givers.
3. Veterans protection — We will track any veteran booked into jail. We will notify veterans representatives and work on treatment. This is the honorable thing to do.
Identify a strength of the current administration and one area that needs improvement:
Improvement of courthouse security. The current security officers are doing a fantastic job and the courthouse is much safer. The condition of the jail is unacceptable. Dirty, paint peeling off the bars and walls, graffiti some of which are distasteful symbols shown on TV and in the newspapers. It makes Hancock County look bad. There is no excuse especially when we have so many able-bodied prison workers not currently being utilized. I hear too many times from the public that it’s hard to give support to building a new jail when a 30-year-old jail is not taken care of. If elected sheriff, it will not stay in this condition.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Wayne Addison” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Wayne Addison
Age: 58
Party: Republican
Office sought: Hancock County Sheriff
Occupation: retired Hancock County Chief Probation Officer, auctioneer for Another Addison Auction
Political experience: Lost bid for Republican sheriff nomination in 1990
Family: Wife Carrie, two children, one grandchildren
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