GENERAL ELECTION GUIDE: Lyon County Sheriff

BRETT G. PALMER

Mailing address: 100 Hardie Lane Fernley, NV

Telephone: 775-575-2709

E-mail: nnvc1@aol.com

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I was born and raised in a small rural Idaho community where I was taught the values and ethics expected of me to serve you, the citizens of Lyon County, as your elected sheriff. Prior to starting my law enforcement career, I served my country in the U.S. Marine Corps which gave me the basic understanding of leadership principles and abilities which continue to guide me almost daily. During my 30-year law enforcement career, I was employed with the Oneida County Sheriff's Department, City of Monticello Police Department, and ultimately with the Lyon County Sheriff's Office for 18 years. I have served in many roles within each agency, have attended countless training courses and seminars, and have been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. I have learned the dynamics of law enforcement, community-oriented policing, and understand how services are to be provided. I have lived in Lyon County for 20 years and I have an understanding of the dynamics, complexities and needs of this county. Because of my background, I can locate the talent and abilities of key individuals within the agency and within our county, to surround myself with competent and qualified people to operate the Sheriff's Office.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

Illegal drug use is rampant within Lyon County. Ask any of our school age children and they will tell you the truth. Methamphetamine, marijuana and other illegal drugs can be purchased in our high schools, middle schools, and currently, we are starting to see it in our elementary schools. This must stop. I am an advocate of a comprehensive narcotic task force, which will include the addition of narcotic interdiction dogs. No modern law enforcement agency can combat narcotic trafficking without the aid of such a valuable asset.

Next is fiscal responsibility. The new jail and Sheriff's Office complex debacle is evidence of that reckless spending and costing the taxpayers between $22 million and $35 million - no one knows the exact dollar amount until the project is completed. Government spending is out of control, which includes the Sheriff's Office. There are ways that spending can be controlled by decreasing bureaucracy and streamlining operations to improve efficiency in the delivery of services.

Finally, improve the trust and confidence of the Sheriff's Office with the citizens of the county and with the deputies who serve within the agency. When the community believes in its law enforcement, they begin to trust them and begin to work together in combating narcotic trafficking, gang related crimes, and other property type crimes.

Why should voters choose you over other candidates?

The overwhelming majority of the deputies are dissatisfied with the current direction of the Sheriff's Office and that is why they voted to endorse me as their choice for the next elected sheriff of Lyon County. These are the same deputies, many of whom I trained and served with, side by side on the "streets" of Lyon County. They have the trust and confidence in my leadership abilities to lead our Sheriff's Office during the next four years.

Unlike my opponent, who sat the majority of his law enforcement career in an office tabulating data and numbers, I have learned how to treat people with compassion and respect. I know how to listen to their concerns and formulate a plan of action to meet the needs of the community.

I can lead the Sheriff's Office to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of services. More than 70 percent of the deputies believe in my abilities. I am asking you to trust in their confidence to cast your ballot to elect me as your next Sheriff of Lyon County.

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ALLEN VEIL

Incumbent

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 93 Yerington, NV 89447

Telephone: 775-463-3920

E-mail: ltveil@aol.com

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I am a third-generation Lyon County resident. I am passionate about Lyon County, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office and the people who live here.

I have 28 years of law enforcement experience in Lyon County and have worked my way through the ranks, progressing from sergeant, to lieutenant, captain and finally sheriff. I have extensive training and experience in all aspects of law enforcement, constitutional law, case law, personnel administration, leadership, supervision, Nevada statutes, Nevada administrative codes, federal law, American Correctional Association, American Jail Association, grant writing, policy formulation and many others too numerous to list. I train our personnel in ethics, constitutional law and leadership.

I am a graduate of the 214th session of the FBI National Academy, and the LEAD Executive Academy. I possess the POST Executive Certificate, the highest level of certification possible in Nevada, and have over 3,000 hours of law enforcement-specific training.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

I would continue with the programs that I implemented during my first years as sheriff. I will continue to make myself, my supervisors and my deputies accountable and visible to the citizens and continue to be an interactive part of the community.

We will continue to apply for grants to augment our budget. I will continue to upgrade our technology and efficiency. I will continue to work on safety programs with our children. The presence of our deputies in our schools will continue in a mentoring role, not simply an enforcement role.

We will continue with our Street Enforcement Team, our Sex Offender Registration Task Force, our participation in the Tri-Net Narcotics Task Force, our participation in the Regional Gang Unit, and with our Narcotics Unit in the county. We will continue to be proactive in crime prevention and enforcement. We will continue to reduce Lyon County's crime rate and to increase our crimes solved rate as we have done over the past couple of years.

I will continue to keep the citizens and deputies safe and will always work to eliminate liability to the county by making well-informed decisions and by holding our employees accountable to the citizens.

Why should voters choose you over other candidate?

I am passionate about my position and the agency and have proven that over the past 28 years. My record speaks for itself. I prepared for this position throughout my career and have developed the expertise in leadership, ethics, budgeting grant writing and personnel administration desperately needed of the sheriff.

I am knowledgeable about the county and the citizens who live here. I am involved in all aspects of the community and am a member of the School District's Attendance Advisory Board, the vice president of the Healthy Communities Coalition Board of Directors, The Chairman of the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Legislative Intent Committee, the Nevada Rural Sheriff's representative to the State Methamphetamine Initiative Committee, a member of the Board of Directors of the Nevada Sheriff's and Chief's Association and the Fernley Boys & Girls Club Advisory Committee. My selection to many of these positions shows the overwhelming endorsements from my peers throughout the state. I know the workings and operational responsibilities of the jail. Most importantly, I have been your sheriff for the past four years and have proven that I am a very responsible sheriff who does the right thing for the right reason.