Knispel, Whitaker Reiterate Their Views
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Two candidates for sheriff used live television Thursday night to highlight their campaigns, while at least five others seeking the same office chose to avoid the camera's glare.
Lt. Steve Knispel, and Detective Sgt. Sam Whitaker, both of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, exchanged viewpoints for nearly an hour during a live televised forum on VSP-TV.
Both candidates used their time to outline reasons for seeking the office and plans if they would be elected.
Unlike a recent forum for the prosecutor's race, Thursday's forum remained upbeat and devoid of any negativity.
Knispel and Whitaker said later they felt they performed well despite their unfamiliarity with the television medium.
Both candidates reiterated their viewpoints and neither made any new proposals.
Both candidates said more patrols are needed and the drug task force needs to be reinvigorated.
Knispel, a 40-year-old resident of Warsaw, has advocated a conservative approach to any changes, while Whitaker, 47, has proposed various changes. Those changes include establishing a juvenile officer and a position that would focus on fire investigations.
Both said their experience has prepared them for the job of sheriff.
Of the eight candidates, Whitaker and Knispel are the highest ranking officers in the department to seek the office. They are also among the leaders in tenure in the department.
Those not participating included Republicans Mike Hobbs and Aaron Rovenstine and Democrats Jeff Bronsing, Glenn Canter and Ron Barley. Republican Wally Knox stepped aside at the beginning of the forum and endorsed Whitaker.
Although slightly disappointed with the lack of turnout by other candidates, VSP-TV owner Chris Sanchez said he thought Knispel and Whitaker fared well.
"If anything, those other guys cheated the voters. I think they had an obligation to participate at some level," Sanchez said.
Whitaker also expressed disappointment with the lack of participation by his opponents.
Sanchez said a forum for prosecutors was considered, but a convenient time for all three candidates could not be set.
He said VSP-TV plans to do more types of political events in the future. [[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
Two candidates for sheriff used live television Thursday night to highlight their campaigns, while at least five others seeking the same office chose to avoid the camera's glare.
Lt. Steve Knispel, and Detective Sgt. Sam Whitaker, both of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, exchanged viewpoints for nearly an hour during a live televised forum on VSP-TV.
Both candidates used their time to outline reasons for seeking the office and plans if they would be elected.
Unlike a recent forum for the prosecutor's race, Thursday's forum remained upbeat and devoid of any negativity.
Knispel and Whitaker said later they felt they performed well despite their unfamiliarity with the television medium.
Both candidates reiterated their viewpoints and neither made any new proposals.
Both candidates said more patrols are needed and the drug task force needs to be reinvigorated.
Knispel, a 40-year-old resident of Warsaw, has advocated a conservative approach to any changes, while Whitaker, 47, has proposed various changes. Those changes include establishing a juvenile officer and a position that would focus on fire investigations.
Both said their experience has prepared them for the job of sheriff.
Of the eight candidates, Whitaker and Knispel are the highest ranking officers in the department to seek the office. They are also among the leaders in tenure in the department.
Those not participating included Republicans Mike Hobbs and Aaron Rovenstine and Democrats Jeff Bronsing, Glenn Canter and Ron Barley. Republican Wally Knox stepped aside at the beginning of the forum and endorsed Whitaker.
Although slightly disappointed with the lack of turnout by other candidates, VSP-TV owner Chris Sanchez said he thought Knispel and Whitaker fared well.
"If anything, those other guys cheated the voters. I think they had an obligation to participate at some level," Sanchez said.
Whitaker also expressed disappointment with the lack of participation by his opponents.
Sanchez said a forum for prosecutors was considered, but a convenient time for all three candidates could not be set.
He said VSP-TV plans to do more types of political events in the future. [[In-content Ad]]