Republican Bob McNicholas seeks sheriff's job

Republican Bob McNicholas, 59, of Netawaka is running for Jackson County Sheriff in the Nov. 8 general election against incumbent Democrat Tim Morse.

McNicholas also ran for sheriff in the 2012 general election.

McNicholas was born in Fort Bragg, N.C. and has lived in Jackson County for 30 years.

He majored in criminal justice at Central Texas College in Fort Hood, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 1987 as a door gunner for a UH-1H helicopter.

He also completed automatic weapons training in the army during this time.

He has been a self-employed business owner for 30 years, he said. He owns a trucking company.

Why are you seeking election?

“As a concerned citizen of Jackson County and also a taxpayer, I am alarmed by the direction the sheriff’s office is taking with the budget and a wrongful death suit that the taxpayers will be paying,” McNicholas said. “I care about the people of Jackson County as people – not dollars signs. I would have an open door policy as sheriff. You can call me at 785-851-0202.”

The sheriff’s office and jail have one of the largest budgets in the county. Would you make any changes to the budget or do you have specific plans to keep it operating in the black?

“Yes, I would cut the budget,” he said. “And yes, I have plans to keep it in the black or in the budget plan.”

The sheriff’s office works with a variety of other law enforcement agencies, as well as courts and other municipalities. How would you improve or continue those relationships if elected?

“Communication is the key and transparency also is essential to work with these agencies,” he said. “We need to have open lines of communication.”

The sheriff is also in charge of the Jackson County Jail. How will you continue to improve that facility?

“The safety of the inmates staying at our jail is the most important, along with the safety of the jail employees,” he said. “Human life is sacred and should be treated as such to protect the taxpayers against wrongful death suits. Yes, the taxpayers need protection. Also from the law, which seems not to care, as I do. Human life should be respected by all as God created us all equally.”

 Why do you believe you are qualified for this position?

“I care about the people of Jackson County,” McNicholas said. “I am a good business person, and basically, the jail is a business. I have owned and run my own business for 30 years successfully, and I will bring the experience with me to take good care of the jail. Last, but not least, I will look out for the taxpayers of Jackson County, which I am also a taxpayer. I will not waste their hard-earned tax dollars. Their burden is huge and should be respected.”