2/24/2004

Sheriff candidates argue about histories, qualifications for position

Lindsay Gebhart
Daily Kent Stater

The Portage County Sheriff’s Democratic primary has been affected by questions of qualifications.

Two men are vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent sheriff Duane Kaley, an independent, in the general election. No Republicans filed to run for the seat.

Tony Stankiewicz, the chief security officer for the Kent/Ravenna courthouse, has had his qualifications for sheriff questioned based on whether he has had two years of supervisor experience.

“They (my qualifications) speak for themselves,” Stankiewicz said. “Someone feels judges don’t have the right to have court security, but they have the right. I was certified.”

The Akron Beacon Journal reported in December that Stankiewicz was acquitted in 1970 of the attempted murder of his then-wife. The article quoted court documents in which the judge of the trial, Joseph J. Nahra, acquitted Stankiewicz but questioned some of the findings in the investigation.

There were three candidates on the ballot until the end of January, when Rootstown resident Jon Barber was disqualified. Currently Stankiewicz and Larry J. Carver remain as candidates.

Both candidates believe that checking in on shut-ins is a top priority in Portage County.

“Call them every morning. If they don’t answer (after calling twice), we will send a volunteer to check on them,” Carver said. “If this saves one life it makes it worthwhile.”

Stankiewicz said he decided to run for office after seeing a number of problems in the current sheriff’s office.

“I felt there was a change needed,” Stankiewicz said. “From working in the court, I could see the morale of the deputies dropping continuously. There is a lack of communication between the sheriff’s office and the judicial system.”

Carver points to his education and experience with teens as reasons he is the best candidate.

“I am working on my master’s in physical education at Akron University,” Carver said. “Guys are running that barely meet the minimal requirements. We need to have a candidate who can do more with less. Unlike my opponent, I have managed.”

Carver wants to get high school and middle school students involved in a law enforcement explorers program.

“This will allow them to get their feet wet,” Stankiewicz said. “We have enough flunky cops. Let’s get some good ones.”

Stankiewicz has focused his campaign on restructuring the sheriff’s department, forming an alliance on the war on drugs with other county agencies and forming a new liaison job in the sheriff’s office.

“I have experienced riots, walked a beat in strike forces,” Stankiewicz said. “I’m the best person now and in the future.”

E-mail: lgebhart@kent.edu