Spoden keeps sheriff's seat
Rock County Sheriff
Robert D. Spoden 32,802
Gary C. Keller 18,667
JANESVILLE — Rock County Sheriff Bob Spoden said Tuesday he would fight the heroin trade, protect the public and curb underage drinking in his next term.
Democratic incumbent Spoden, 47, of 227 Jefferson Ave., Janesville, defeated Republican challenger Gary C. Keller, 65, of 10520 W. County A, Evansville.
Spoden was first elected sheriff in 2006. Keller, a former Brodhead police officer, ran as an independent in 2006.
"I'm very humbled, and I'm very pleased with the voters' trust with what we're doing," Spoden said. "It really does speak to the men and women of the sheriff's office. They are true professionals. I'm just honored to serve with them."
Spoden said he would continue focusing on jail alternative programs such as electronic monitoring. He also wants to add programs to help people with mental health issues. He added that many inmates need mental health care and not jail time.
"What we want to do is start looking at alternatives for individuals who have mental health issues," Spoden said. "I think there has been a blind eye to some of that."
Talking to the community about underage drinking also will be a priority, Spoden said.
Continuing to provide the same level of service to the public without large budget increases will be a challenge, Spoden said. Grant money and efficiency will be important.
"We're going to have to do it with less," the sheriff said.
Spoden thanked his campaign manager, his wife and his mom, who died earlier this year. He said his mom always helped him campaign.
The sheriff's campaign was relatively quiet until Keller referred to deputies as brownshirts during a campaign forum. Brownshirt is a reference to Adolf Hitler's Nazi storm troopers.
Keller said people during the campaign had been telling him that deputies were acting like brownshirts. He said he didn't think deputies were brownshirts.
When Spoden responded to the brownshirt comment, he said, "I found that a little distasteful that you referred to our deputies as brownshirts, and I can tell you that the men and women of the sheriff's office are dedicated and work very hard for our community."
Nov 4, 2010 at 12:19 p.m.
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Continue to think what you want "Nice". But at least at least Star Trekkie here "Ncc1701" makes a real point, though I still disapprove. I do know what I am talking about completely. So what would it mean to you if I was correct?
Nov 4, 2010 at 7:40 a.m.
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Luv_N_Life are you serious? When you move up the ranks it comes with great responsibility. News flash being the Sheriff of Rock County is nothing but politics. Spoden is still the great person he's always been, but he has more responsibility besides the people working for him. And Tillman speaking for him, isn't that what's she's there for? She not only has her own job but she also has to support the Sheriff when she needs to.
truecitizen- do you work in the diversion programs? If you do you can say what you want, if not you probably shouldn't comment on things you know nothing about.
Nov 4, 2010 at 3:23 a.m.
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The Sheriff can have very little input on the subject of mentally ill people being incarcerated, as well as those being treated. It is a 'sound-good' statement being fed to the public. For real, who would disagree with his statement? I agree too! But the system has been shutting down the services for years. It will cost money-hint hint. The Sheriff's Department has primary responsibilities, and it can only touch on the services as he has stated above. They have some small steps already in place and they can't even get those right! But no one knows this stuff, so it keeps getting fed to the public. Other more neccessary services are not even being met with objectivity. How is this plan going to be any different? The only real showing has been to divert offenders to their homes. What then, is going to take place with mentally ill people, and what then-about the security of the public. In a perfect world....
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I think the Sheriff can have some input in the larger picture but not really anything more than that. I have often wondered why our system has ignored these mentally ill people while pandering to the common thugs. It always comes down to accountability. We will see. For pete's sake, no more grandstanding!!!!!
Nov 4, 2010 at 2:39 a.m.
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"doc0403"...you don't know the truth. I can't stomach credit being given for the exact opposite of what is reality. The jail diversions are a mess at several levels.
Nov 4, 2010 at 12:08 a.m.
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I hope that Sheriff Spoden realizes that his political prowess keeps him in office - but that his real strength comes from the women and men who work for him. Bob used to be a real funny guy - he has turned into a very political man. He doesn't have an open door policy for his troops. He lets his chiefs (those he appointed a couple of years back and gave an incredible pay raise to) cover for him even if staff wants to speak to him directly. He allows Barb Tillman to speak for him, when he is able to speak for himself. I would love to see Bob Spoden come down to earth and be the man he once was so he could be in tune with his employees.
Nov 3, 2010 at 9:44 p.m.
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I for one could not be happier with the Job that Sheriff Spoden has done over the last 4 years and I back him in his battle against the Heroin problem Janesville has and his efforts to save the tax payers money with his alternative jail options, the results have been great so far. Keep up the great Job Sheriff Spoden, we need more people like you in office....
Nov 3, 2010 at 4:58 p.m.
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No real legitimate competition here.
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