The Kosciusko County sheriff's race comes down to one of two things.

Experience vs. family tradition. Bronsing vs. Rovenstine.

"Experience is a consideration in any operation," Democratic sheriff candidate Jeff Bronsing said.

Bronsing has 26 years experience with the sheriff's department. He became a patrolman with the department on Jan. 1, 1973.

Rovenstine, 39, has eight years experience with the sheriff's department and six years with the Milford police. He said he thought experience was important for the sheriff's job, too.

Bronsing's experience is only one reason he's running.

"I had a number of friends who said I should," he said.

He said many people told him they were ready for a change in the sheriff's department.

Rovenstine said change in the department is an issue only to his opponent. He said he was a totally different individual from his father (the current sheriff) anyway.

Another consideration that was a factor in Bronsing's decision to run was the fact that if he didn't run, someone outside the department might.

"I don't want to see someone from outside run the department, at least not for a while," he said.

"I also didn't want to just give it to the other party."

As for the difference between Bronsing and Rovenstine, Bronsing said there are no real issues that jump out. He said they have similar ideas on how things should run.

Bronsing said the public has to decide if they want "the Rovenstine family to be the administration of the sheriff's department."

"The sheriff's department has been a big part of my family tradition," Rovenstine said. "(My father) has done an excellent job, I don't think it can hurt me."

That tradition was only one reason that Rovenstine decided to run. He said many officers urged him to run. He and his wife talked and prayed about it, he said, and people he respected urged him to run.

Bronsing said he has several major goals he would like to see implemented should he be elected Tuesday. He wants the department to reduce overall crime, reduce juvenile crime, help prevent serious traffic accidents and work on community relations.

"I want to improve the relationship between sheriff's department and the community," Bronsing said. "In recent years, we've lost our touch with the community."

"If (the community) doesn't tell us what's going on, we don't know about it," Bronsing said.

The sheriff's department needs to show support for neighborhood crime watches, schools' needs and "whatever we can (do) as a service for our community," Bronsing said.

Rovenstine said his and Bronsing's ideas on the sheriff's department weren't much different.

"What I've read, we're very similar. We're both for the jail expansion," he said.

Rovenstine also said he is committed to juvenile crime prevention. He said the juvenile boot camp was something that he has backed since its inception about five years ago.

"We think that's been successful," Rovenstine said.

As for the police community, Bronsing said, there will be always be a little competition between departments, but he would like to see that reduced. He said that is important so the sheriff's department could work with the city police better. He said he wants to see them work as a team.

"First of all, Kosciusko County is very fortunate to have the professional people it has - they're second to none," Rovenstine said. "Rivalry is less than it has ever been before."

Rovenstine said that is due to cooperative training in the SWAT team, the aquatics team and the dog team, among other aspects.

As for getting respect from his fellow officers, Bronsing said, he believes he has their respect. He said he tries to work with everyone.

Rovenstine said, "I would venture to say that 90 percent of the deputies would support me."

When asked about the possibility of a jail expansion, Bronsing said it is necessary. He said the county's needs have outgrown the current jail and that puts an extra burden on security and transportation of prisoners. Rovenstine agreed.

About the possibility of his getting elected, Rovenstine said, "I don't feel there's a more prepared person."

Bronsing said, "I think there's improvement (in the sheriff's department) and that's what I want to go on."

On Tuesday, the county will make its decision on experience vs. family tradition, Bronsing vs. Rovenstine. [[In-content Ad]]