I. Community Corrections "Mandated Service"
A. Increase & Update jail and court security, recommend more house arrest & tether work release programs
B. Institute educational & certificate trade skill programs for inmates with the help of school leaders
C. Work with school leaders in utilizing low-risk inmates on landscape & snow removal maintenance at schools, and use those funds for after school sport programs
II. Animal Control Officer Unit "Mandated Service"
A. Utilize, train & re-assign current personnel for a rotating full time ACO
B. Work with other agencies that have a successful ACO Unit to determine equipment & training needs
C. Work with the Animal Shelter leaders to develop ACO services they need and to utilize low-risk inmates for shelter duties to help reduce costs
III. Reserve & Bicycle Deputy Unit "Non-Mandated Service"
A. Create, train & maintain a paid/ volunteer Reserve Deputy/Bicycle Unit comprised of local residents of the community
B. To Work with area business leaders to help acquire starting funds for Reserve Unit training & equipment. Utilize Reserve Deputies to work with Deputies on patrol & by doing so, reducing dept costs for Certified Deputies. Then Apply those funds towards Reserve Unit operations, added jail security and inmate programs.
C. Utilize Reserve funds to hire Certified Seasonal Bicycle Officers to patrol with Reserve Deputies in Atlanta, Hillman & Lewiston
IV. ORV/ATV Certified Seasonal Patrol Deputy Unit "Non-Mandated/Grant Service"
A. Hire, train & maintain a On/Off Road Motorcycle Patrol Unit
B. Utilize Grant funds to hire Certified Seasonal Officers therefore reducing the need for full time patrol deputies. Then applying those funds saved towards jail security, inmate programs & Motorcycle Unit
C. Work with other agencies that have a successful On/Off Road Motorcycle Patrol Unit in place to determine equipment & training needs
V. Highway Safety Officer Patrol Unit "Non-Mandated/Grant Service" A. Hire, train & equip Paramedics for responding to all county medical calls as their primary mission, reducing medical costs of citizens in the county
B. Utilize current dept equipment to supplement Unit starting costs
C. Work with other agencies that have a successful Highway Safety Officer Unit in place to determine equipment & training needs
Conclusion: One of my main campaign platform goals was recently eliminated. It involved utilizing the Atlanta Middle School that has stood vacant for the past few years on Jerome St. in Atlanta. I wanted to utilize it as a Minimum Security Work Release Facility (housing employed inmates & allowing them to maintain employment while meeting sentencing requirements while paying fines & costs). I do believe this would’ve generated additional county revenues, created new jobs and answer many jail overcrowding issues. There are no other such facilities to my knowledge in the surrounding counties, Otsego, Presque Isle, Oscoda & Alpena. It could have been utilized by them also creating even more additional county revenues, while at the same time only requiring minimal personnel and operating costs. Hopefully it’s not too late for this facility to become a reality.
Another thing I will do is create a Citizens Review Board comprised of one member from each elected township board & a law enforcement officer from an outside jurisdiction, to review complaints and provide disciplinary recommendations for "all" dept members to include the Sheriff. I feel the current accountability system is out of date, biased and not objective. I also will push for "2 Term Limit" legislation for the Office of Sheriff. I feel that if you can’t achieve your objectives in 8 years of office, you probably shouldn’t have been there in the first place. Instead of just "coasting" in office you could be serving citizens on patrol instead. This will also give someone else who might have some new ideas a chance to hold office and implement their objectives. I know 2 years is not a lot of time to accomplish things, but I will do all that is possible to achieve my objectives while in office. I ask "you the voters" to take these goals when at the voting polls. I ask for the chance to serve you and if you don’t like the next 2 years, I’m sure my opponents will still be around for you to elect. Thank You for your time and consideration on that constitutionally important day. Robert VanSinger
