By Joe Hadsall
jhadsall@joplinglobe.com
MIAMI, Okla. — In his bid for re-election on Tuesday, Ottawa County Sheriff Terry Durborow faces competition from challenger Jeff Wright.
The race is the only contested countywide race in the general election.
n Durborow, 54, is a lifelong resident of Ottawa County who lives in Miami. He graduated in 1972 from Miami High School.
The Democrat was elected in 2006 to serve the remaining two years of former Sheriff Dennis King’s term. Durborow, starting in 2004, was undersheriff during King’s term.
Before that, he was director of emergency management for the city of Miami, and he worked part time as a patrol sergeant with the Miami Police Department from 1997 to 2004.
Durborow said that if he is elected, computer crimes against youths and drug problems would be his priorities.
“Computer crimes are an ongoing problem that’s getting bigger and bigger,” he said. “Predators are preying on children, and we need to spend a lot of time preventing that.”
He said he also would continue working to increase patrols and have more community policing.
Durborow said his experience and integrity make him the best choice.
“I have knowledge of the way the sheriff’s office operates,” he said. “I have budget experience, administrative skills and a lot of experience that comes into play.”
n Wright, 47, is a resident of Afton and a high-school graduate.
The Republican is an environmental officer with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department and has held that position for the past 13 years. He also worked for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for 14 years.
Wright said that if he is elected, his priority would be to prevent violence against women and children — something in which he has experience in his current post.
“We need better-trained officers in that field,” Wright said. “They need to understand everything that’s going on so that they can make informed decisions.”
He would also establish an environmental officer and a community-information officer.
Wright said his experience and his drive to work make him the best choice.
“I will be a full-time sheriff,” he said. “I plan on working, getting out with the men, and seeing what they are doing.”
Unopposed candidates
The following candidates are unopposed and virtually assured of election. An (I) denotes an incumbent.
Democrats
State Senate — Charles Wyrick (I).
County clerk — Reba G. Sill (I).
Court clerk — Cathy Williams (I).
Commissioner, 2nd District — Gary Wyrick.
