Decision 2016
Incumbent Sheriff’s Dave Peterson (Winnebago) and Jay Langenbau (Worth) are facing challenges on November 8—Peterson is being challenged by Deputy Steve Hepperly, while Langenbau will be facing off with two challengers, Deputy Dan Fank and Mark Wubben.
We have asked each candidate to provide us with the highlights of their respective campaigns and why voters should consider them when at the ballot box. The answers appear below.
Jay Langenbau has served as Worth County sheriff since being elected in 2009, prior to that, he served as a deputy from 1998-2008. To prepare for his career in law enforcement, Langenbau received an Associates Degree from NIACC, with a law enforcement certificate, after which he double majored in criminal justice and psychology at Iowa Wesleyan College. He graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in 1997, and the National Sheriff’s Institute in 2009.
As sheriff, he has been an active member of the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force, serving on the Special Operations Group and the advisory board. He is a member of the Iowa State Sheriff’s and Deputies Association, being appointed to the Board of Executives in 2014, and elected as second vice president in 2015, schools committee 2013-2015, and co-chair of the Jails Committee 2016. In 2016 he was active in the Iowa State Association of Counties Legislative Committee. From 2010 to present, he has been active in the North Iowa Region 2 Advisory Committee for Homeland Security.
Why are you running for Worth County Sheriff?:
I am running for my third term as Sheriff of Worth County, because I care about the safety and security of everyone that lives, works, plays or travels through Worth County. I have humbly and graciously served the people in Worth County for 18 years, and I hope to serve them for another four years.
What issue (s) are the most important for the Worth County Sheriff’s office?:
The biggest issue we are dealing with today is dealing with citizens with mental health issues. The state has already closed a couple of mental health facilities, and are threatening to close all of the facilities in Iowa. One thing this has done is put more of a burden on law enforcement in housing inmates with mental health issues or transporting them hours away, trying to get them the help they really need. We can go to our local hospitals to help with any physical issues and they will get you in right away. But, if you take someone with mental issues to the local hospital, they may turn you away. We have had to transport someone up to five hours away, just to get them to a hospital for the help that they need. Our jail is typically filled with inmates that have mental health issues.
How would you address those issues?:
I have been on committee’s and in meetings with other law enforcement officials, legislators, public health and social services discussing what we can do better. The resources are starting to come more available to our area. We are working on more training for the deputies, dispatchers and jailers. There are transition centers becoming available, which will be a huge relief for law enforcement, the citizens and their families. The training on crime has always been available, but the training on this issue is scarce and is a must-have. The better the training for the staff, the better we can serve Worth County.
Why should voters choose you?:
When I was first elected Sheriff eight years ago, I said I wanted to better the safety and security of Worth County citizens and it’s visitors by improving training and improving equipment. I have done so, while being fiscally responsible and accountable to the taxpayers of Worth County. The budget has only increased an average of 2 percent in the past seven years, with two of those years less money was spent than the previous. Many improvements were paid for by non-tax dollars, including almost a half a millions dollars in grant money. I still strive to keep Worth County one of the safest counties in Iowa, and will continue to improve the safety, security and services. I take accountability for all 28 employees in the Worth County Sheriff’s office—not just myself—and am proud to do so every day. This job is not about me, myself and I. This job is about protecting my friends, family and colleagues, in and around Worth County.
Challenger Mark Wubben is a LMCS graduate, and then attended ISU for mechanical engineering. He graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in 2006.
Why are you running for Worth County Sheriff?:
I want a sheriff’s office that interacts with the communities in the county in such a way, that information is freely exchanged with the people in the sheriff’s office. As an example, there have been several times where I have stopped to talk with someone, and they ask a question that they would have not called in to ask. I want to work with the schools to assist in addressing issues that they may be dealing with. I will interact with other law enforcement agencies to “compare notes” on criminal activity. Over the past years, it has become more common for criminals to travel far to commit crimes, making it more imperative to jointly work with other agencies.
What specific issues would you address if elected?:
I believe what needs to be addressed first at the Worth County Sheriff’s office are the employees. The moral has dwindled over the past years. I will not only support the staff, but encourage them to set goals. With a well trained greatly supported staff, I believe the efficiency of the department will increase. The positive interactions with the public will increase. The deputies will be more aggressive in the hunt for criminal activity, and overall the retention of highly trained and respected staff members will increase.
Deputy Dan Fank is the third candidate running for this office. A 1983 Forest City High School graduate, and a 2000 graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, where he finished first in his class, Fank offers law enforcement experience, as well as experience in the private sector and as a volunteer firefighter.
In law enforcement, Fank is a certified instructor in building searches; vehicle stops; chemical munitions; less lethal; flash bangs; Oc/pepper spray; K9 handler; meth lab tech; and, reserve officer training. He currently serves as a member of the Manly Fire and Rescue; Iowa State Sheriff’s and Deputies Association; Midwest Organized Crime Information Center; Iowa Law Enforcement Intelligence Network; North Iowa Drug Task Force; North Iowa Crime Stoppers; American Working Dog Association, Bethel Methodist Church; and, Isaak Walton League of Worth County, where he serves as range safety officer. He previously served as chief of the Thompson Fire Department.
Why are you running for Worth County Sheriff?:
In the last four years, I noticed a constant change in the attitude with the staff with very qualified individuals leaving employment with the Worth County sheriff’s office. This is draining on the other’s working at the office, and also a safety issue with having to work alone. I have seen us go over budget, but not replace or add new equipment that is needed or get further training for the staff. I have seen the need for better communications with our radios and paging not working efficiently. With the urging from county leaders, citizens, and my family I made the hard decision to run for Worth County Sheriff.
Why should voters choose you?:
I will always put the interests of Worth County, the citizens of Worth County, and the staff at the Worth County Sheriff’s office first. In my opinion, it is a privilege and not a right to serve Worth County. I will not forget or take advantage of that trust. I have over 30 years in public service and I will dedicate the time needed to make this the best Sheriff’s Office possible. I served a Chief Deputy, and as Lieutenant in this department and gained experience over my 16 years to lead this department. I was a supervisor at Winnebago Industries, in charge of over 100 people and managed a multi-million dollar budget yearly and always met or bettered the efficiency goals set for me. In 16 plus years, I have only missed six hours of work, but on many occasions, worked extra shifts or overtime many times without compensation because of the pride I have in this department.
What specific issues would you address if elected?:
Staff retention. We currently have too many leaving employment at the Worth County Sheriff’s Office. This is a direct effect on the attitudes and the drive of the department, as well as a safety issue be being fatigued or working alone. It is also very expensive to continue to train and certify new hires as it is draining on the budget. The money lost training and certifying new hires could be used to buy and or update needed equipment and to send more people to training. Communication with radios and paging need to be addressed as they are not working properly. I have heard from Fire and Rescue personnel that they are not getting their pages when needed for emergency response of that they only are getting the tones with no voice directions With Law Enforcement Radios, there is a delay in transmission that is cutting off communication between the officers and dispatch This is a safety issue that will be addressed immediately if I am elected.
I believe that the Sheriff, Deputies and the Sheriff’s office should be easily assessable by phone, cell phone or by email. I would put in place procedures for timely response, I would also develop a strong website that would allow easy assess to activities of the office, hail population , public service announcements, alerts, and access to do more online such as filing for gun permits, getting police reports and accident reports to name a few. With saving time and money for the citizens.
I want to develop stronger and more involvement in our school. I would work toward finding the funding through grants to hire a school resource officer. This individual would be at the schools and at activities for interaction, safety and instruction to our most valuable resource, our children.
Last, I will address our budget. I will take this on as I do my own personal finances being strongly budget conscious. The needs will be filled first and if any money is left over, it would go to the wants. I will also be aggressive on grant writingand money forfeiture to supplement the budget. I will put in a money savings program for the staff to look for additional ways to save on not needed spending. I will also assure that there is always money available for safety issues or concerns, protective or safety equipment, and needed training for the staff.
A graduate of Buffalo Center High School, David Peterson joined the military following graduation and became a member of the US Army Military Police. He is also a graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. While serving Winnebago County, Peterson has been active with Law Enforcement Intelligence Network (LEIN), Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), the American Legion, is a certified EMT, a member of the Lake Mills Lions Club, Commissioner of the Winnebago County Veterans Affairs, a Moped Safety Instructor, 20-year member of the Lake Mills Fire Department, and a member of Salem Lutheran Church.
Why are you running?
I truly love my job and enjoy serving the residents of our county. I am asking for your support to continue the positive changes that have been taking place at the Sheriff’s office. I would appreciate your support in the November 8 election to continue as your Sheriff. There is a great deal of change and momentum happening at the Sheriff’s office, and I look forward to continuing to build on that.
What specific issues would you address if elected?:
Completion of the new public safety center, and continue to improve training for staff including certifying deputies as EMT’s. Continue efforts in drug enforcement. Continue being fiscally responsible.
A graduate of Mason City High School in 1984, Steven Hepperly received an AA Degree in law enforcement from NIACC is 1986, and graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in 1990. He has, or currently serves on the following organizations: Thompson Fire Department; Community Cares Coalition; law enforcement representative to both the Winnebago County Task Force Against Substance Abuse and the Student Improvement Advisory Council at North Iowa High School; North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force; Law Enforcement Intelligence Network; Winnebago County Sexual Abuse Response Team and Domestic Abuse and Response teams; and, North Iowa Betterment member.
Why are you running?
I am running for many reasons. I have been urged to run for Sheriff by the citizens of our communities, my co-workers, and law enforcement peers for many years. I have always stated that I would not run for this position until my children were out of school, as far too often in a law enforcement career, the job gets put ahead of family. Our children have now graduated, which will allow me the time to properly devote to the position of Sheriff.
I come from a well respected law enforcement family, and have over 32 years of law enforcement experience from several different facets, including police reserve, correctional officer (jailer), city police officer, and as Winnebago county Deputy Sheriff for the last 24.5 years.
I have a working knowledge of the courts and legal system, as well as the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s office.
I possess leadership skills and a forward thinking, positive outlook, as well as flexibility and willingness to adapt to the ever changing technology and crime trends encountered in law enforcement.
I feel that by raising our family in Thompson, in the center of the county, that our family has become engrained and acquainted with our citizens and communities. I am the only deputy that lives in one of the communities that are serviced by the sheriff’s office. I am proud of the rapport and trust that I have developed with our citizens in my almost 25 years here in Winnebago County. This trust and overwhelming support of me is one very large reason I am seeking the position as your next sheriff.
Winnebago County Sheriff’s office is an the cusp of an exciting new chapter in its history, with the new public safety center under construction and opening soon. I feel by pairing that excitement with a clean slate, a fresh perspective and vision, and a new energy along with he pride our staff will feel with this new facility that the Sheriff’s office can accomplish great things in our future.
What specific issues would you address if elected?:
First, and most importantly, I want to restore and improve the morale of the Sheriff’s office. I feel that by bringing an involved and positive leadership and tight-knit team atmosphere back to the office, and the staff having a valued and respected opinion, will foster a happy and more productive workplace.
Second, I will address staffing and duties performed by Sheriff’s office employees. Our jail occupancy is nearly full much of the time, and we need to have jail staff covering the jail at night, not having the deputies being called in off the road to cover jail bookings/releases, or dispensing medications to jail inmates. Calls for deputy assistance as at an all time high, and deputies are continually being tasked with more duties to perform. In doing so, deputies are being overburdened, often times not allowing them appropriate time to thoroughly investigate and follow up on matters. I intend to stay involved in day to day calls and investigations, as well as work varying shifts, to help alleviate work load from out employees to allow them to focus on other duties.
Third, the sheriff’s office needs to keep our citizens better and more easily informed by utilizing local media outlets, a sheriff’s office Facebook page and by having an interactive website. Press releases need to be issues on newsworthy happenings that occur within our communities.
Fourth, staff training within the Sheriff’s office needs to be geared toward keeping ahead of every changing crime trends. Many crimes today have a cyber or an electronic media component involved, and I feel the Sheriff’s office needs to seek out appropriate and cost effective training to combat these crimes.
Fifth, the Sheriff’s office needs to make a more concerted effort to combat the growing drug problem encountered in communities everywhere. I feel that by being active participants in the North Iowa Narcotics Task Force, and Iowa Narcotics Officers Association, these efforts and resources can help us make out communities safer.
Sixth, community involvement. There are many programs that could be utilized to help keep our citizens more engaged and involved with the Sheriff’s office. By implementing a public policing approach and having the trust and rapport of our communities, this will bolster information exchange and understanding between the Sheriff’s office and the citizens we serve. In turn, this cooperative effort will make out communities safer.
Seventh, bolster relationships with other are law enforcement agencies. by dong so there will be a better exchange of information and resources to help combat crime. Being able to cross train with other agencies will improve the professionalism of each agency.
Eighth, seek out grant funding for better equipment and enhance training opportunities.
