Contested races in the Republican primary for Miami County sheriff, prosecutor and two county commission seats helped fill the Troy Junior High School gym last week for the traditional Meet the Candidates Night.

The 90- minute program featured opening and closing remarks by each of 10 candidates with questions posed by a panel in-between. One issue on the March 15 ballot – the Troy schools’ operating levy renewal – was discussed briefly by Superintendent Eric Herman.

A brief summary of candidate remarks and answers to questions specific to their political race:

Sheriff:

Chris Anderson: A recently retired Troy police captain, Anderson said he would stop playing politics with the office.

Steve Cooper: A retired sheriff’s office captain, Cooper said his focus would be on keeping the people of Miami County safe.

Dave Duchak: Now serving as chief deputy for retiring Sheriff Charles Cox, Duchak said the state of the sheriff’s office is strong.

Paul Reece: A former deputy, Reece said the agency’s most important asset is its people

County Commission Seat

Jack Evans: An incumbent, Evans said the commission represents the people of Miami County and works diligently to make sure things are being done properly and correctly.

Cindy Lillicrap: Making her first bid for an elected office, Lillicrap said she is serious about the election and only wants to work hard for the people of Miami County.

County Commission Seat:

Richard Cultice: An incumbent, Cultice said he believes his service and track record have earned the voters’ support.

Greg Simmons: Making his second run for a commission seat, Simmons said he is invested in the community and believes he would serve the county well.

County Prosecutor:

Mel Kemmer: A retired municipal court judge, Kemmer said his complete experience including previously serving as an assistant prosecutor and a law director as well as a judge make him uniquely qualified for the job.

Tony Kendell: The incumbent, Kendell said the only thing that has changed since voters in the 2014 election confirmed his initial appointment to the job has been he has gained more experience.

Sheriff candidates

Question: “Assessing the performance of the current sheriff’s department, if elected would you keep it on the same direction or change course?”

Anderson: “I would have to look at investigating and going for national accreditation for the sheriff’s department … I believe getting the department accredited, although it is a somewhat tenuous adventure to get there, can do nothing but establish professionalism and provide a morale boost that is sorely needed.”

Cooper: “The sheriff’s office is a young department. I would like to see a lot more training in the sheriff’s office from firearms, driving, domestic violence. The things going on inside the office, some accusations of bullying, sexual harassment … I would like to get them all some training … and put a stop to it.”

Duchak: “I think the sheriff’s office is very strong and is on the right direction … With respect to accreditation, Sheriff Cox and I have looked at that in the past, it is expensive … We follow best practices. All of our procedures are top-notch.”

Reece: “The sheriff office has to change … change from the top … You lead people through purpose, direction and motivation.”

Prosecutor candidates

Question: What is the first thing you would do if elected prosecutor?

Kendell: “I would continue to address the heroin problem. That is the number one problem we have at this time. Conservatively, 80 percent of cases have heroin involved … It is nationwide,” he said. Work on a local strategy already has started by coalition involving law enforcement, mental health and other professionals from across the community, he said.

Kemmer: “I would need to evaluate the staff in the prosecutor’s office… This is a very complex office and you need very good people to make it function successfully … I would retain the ones that are doing a good job and replace the ones that aren’t,” he said.

Commission candidates (One race features Simmons/Cultice; the other, Lillicrap/Evans)

Question: “What would set you apart?

Lillicrap: “I have talked to an awful lot of people. I think what sets me apart is a lot of people in Miami County have lost confidence in their commissioners. They are not approachable, are not as honest as they want them to be and they are not transparent.”

Cultice: “I think my financial background is much broader than my opponent’s. I have dealt with much bigger budgets. He talks about one department. I have managed hundreds of millions dollars in budgets …”

Simmons: “One thing he does not have is the experience in working during my tenure with county in probation, children’s services, human services department and I ran a correctional facility. I am a strong individual, am not a yes man.”

Evans: “What sets me apart is my experience both in the private sector and the public. The other thing that sets me apart is their lack of understanding of what the county commission does. The county commission is not a legislative board, it is an administrative board.”

Troy City Schools: 5.8 mill, five-year renewal levy

Schools Superintendent Eric Herman said the renewal levy would not increase taxes. The levy represents 7.8 percent of the district’s operating budget and generates $3.45 million a year.