Trib Backs Challenger, Incumbent Not Worried

None by KCPW

SL Co Sherrif's Race Heats Up

(KCPW News 10/23/06) You can now add The Salt Lake Tribune to the list of those backing Jim Winder, the Democratic challenger in the race for Salt Lake County Sheriff. But that doesn't worry Aaron Kennard, the Republican incumbent who has held the post for 16 years:

"I have two-thirds to three-quarters of the office, including the civilian side and all the corrections. If endorsements are important, that speaks for itself."

More importantly, Kennard says he's the one to reform the sheriff's office and create the Unified Police District. The concept unites law enforcement in the unincorporated county, with those of Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, Bluffdale, Herriman and Riverton. However, the $1.5 million in anticipated startup costs have stalled the project. Democratic challenger Jim Winder says the U-P-D as proposed by Kennard isn't a sound concept:

"It's a demonstratedly inefficient model. It doesn't mean that it's doomed to failure but it needs substantial revision before it's ready for primetime. And for the sheriff to continue to push it, even though it hasn't been fully vetted, again, I think, reeks of politics."

To download podcasts of one-on-one interviews with both candidates for Salt Lake County Sheriff, go to our Midday Metro page and search by candidate name.

 

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