Meet the candidates for Sheriff, Property Valuation Administrator

By MELODIE PHELPS

News Editor

This week The Outlook is featuring information about candidates for Wayne County Sheriff and Wayne County Property Valuation Administrator.

Information was provided by candidates who completed questionnaires for the newspaper.

W.C. Sheriff

James Lynn Hill

James Lynn Hill, 38, of Loop Drive, Monticello, is currently Wayne County Sheriff. He is a republican.

Hill succeeded his father, the late Sheriff Jim Hill. His mother is Vernice Hill. He is married to Sharon, and they have two children, Christopher A. Hill and Mariah L. Hill.

Hill is a board member for the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force, and is a board member of the Lake Cumberland Area Substance Abuse Program. He is the Sunday School director of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

"The most important issue facing the sheriff and our community is drugs and other crimes that are associated with drugs," said Hill.

"The problems that our county faces because of drugs are not a one man job," he continued. "It takes the efforts of all of our county officials, all police agencies working together, and the citizens of Wayne County working together to win this war. We can do it."

Eric Lewis Huffaker

Eric Lewis Huffaker, 38, of Rt. 3, Monticello, is a democratic candidate for Wayne County Sheriff.

He is the Wayne County Alternative School Coordinator and a special education instructional assistant at school. Huffaker is also a private investigator.

Huffaker was chosen by the Wayne County Democratic Party to represent them in the special sheriff’s election in 1999.

He is the son of Martin Lewis Huffaker and Patricia Shearer Huffaker. He is the grandson of David Shearer and Francis Shearer and the late Andy Huffaker and Marie Huffaker.

He has five children, Erica H. Casada, Cheryl H. Bertram, Elisha Huffaker, William Huffaker and Jordan Huffaker. He also has two granddaughters, Megan Tomlin and Briana Casada.

Important issues in this race include: quality service for the people of Wayne County; zero tolerance for criminal behavior; zero tolerance for distribution and use of illegal drugs; zero tolerance for theft; and helping to prevent crimes and resolve mutual concerns.

Huffaker said, if elected, he will work with the people of Wayne County to the best of his ability to improve existing programs, to help prevent crime and to establish a safe and secure environment.

"I recognize many concerns and issues throughout our communities," said Huffaker. "I will organize a work force which will gather evidence by utilization of all investigative techniques, resources and the support of the people of Wayne County to better improve the quality of life to all those who bring meaningful contribution to our community."

"I will submit high standards to the office of Wayne County Sheriff and implement a plan of action that is effective with positive enforcement and quality service," he stated.

Homer Shelton

Homer Shelton, 46, of Rt. 7, Monticello, is a candidate for Wayne County Sheriff. He is running on the independent ticket.

Shelton is a truck driver and a construction worker. He is the son of Robert (Bob) Shelton and Ruby Hulds Ferrell Shelton, both deceased. He is married to Irene Shelton and has two daughters, Samanatha and Ashley, one step-son, Jeffery Scott Dean, and one grandson, Devin Scott Dean.

What are the important issues in this race for Shelton?

"At first it was the same old drug issue, people wondering why they could get nothing done about the drug and drug dealers operating freely in their communities," stated Shelton. "Now, it is the lack of service. When someone calls, they should not have to wait up to three hours for an officer."

Patrolling the county would be a priority for Shelton, if elected.

"This is a big county. I know because I have delivered septic tanks, dirt, or gravel to just about every road in Wayne County. It can’t be covered by one person in one day," he stated. "But people deserve to see a patrol car. In the last few years in some communities there have been rare sightings, which in turn lets drug traffickers operate freely."

Kids are another important issue, according to Shelton.

"They are the future," said Shelton. "Teaching them the impact drugs will have on their future, or the lack of a future because of drugs, is a priority."

Shelton cites his experience in dealing with people as an asset. He said that he has met a lot of good people all over Wayne County and has enjoyed talking with them.

"The number one duty of the Sheriff is to the people," stated Shelton. "A Sheriff has a 24 hour a day, seven days a week duty to the people of Wayne County. They should not expect it. They should demand it."

Shelton believes the qualities of a Sheriff include a person who is honest and open-minded. The Sheriff must trust others and he will also be trusted, according to Shelton.

Property Valuation Administrator

Bobby Upchurch

Bobby Upchurch, 29, of the Susie community, is a republican candidate for Property Valuation Administrator. He is a plumber, an electrician, and a farmer.

He is the son of Bob and Mary Upchurch and is married to Kristi Criswell Upchurch.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree from the University of Kentucky.

The important issues in this race are fairness and equity, according to Upchurch. He also noted that if elected, he plans to keep the office of PVA open on Saturday mornings to better serve the public.

Jamie S. Reagan

Jamie Reagan, a democrat, is seeking the office of Property Valuation Administrator. He is 30 and resides at HC 74, Alpha. He is employed by Ragan’s Paving.

Reagan is an active member of the Lighthouse Temple Church and is a Little League basketball coach. He and his wife, Jamie Rednour Reagan, have one daughter, Alexis Caitlyn, who is two years old.

Reagan has four years experience in the PVA office, as a Deputy PVA. He obtained Certified Kentucky Assessor Designation while working there.

Reagan pledges, if elected, to be a PVA for the people of Wayne County. He said important issues in this race include equal treatment for everyone, as well as an open door policy.

"If you have a problem come see me," Reagan said.

Reagan also stated that if he is elected the office will be open from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

© The Wayne County Outlook

Questions or comments regarding this site and its content should be directed to the WebMaster.