Illinois Valley News

Sheriff Gil Gilbertson

Josephine County voters won“t decide on the contested race for the sheriff“s position until the November general election.

But that isn“t stopping incumbent Gil Gilbertson and challenger Don Allaire from staking out their positions publicly.

Both candidates appeared on the Grants Pass-based KAJO Radio talk show on Wednesday, March 31. Gilbertson was on for the first half, and explained his reasons for seeking a second term.

“I enjoy the job,“ Gilbertson said.

When he first ran for sheriff in 2006, he said, he spent much of his own money seeking the seat.

“I thought we had poor law enforcement service,“ he said. “I thought there was a better way to provide service to the community.“

Since assuming office, Gilbertson said that he has taken the Josephine County Sheriff“s Office (JCSO) in a “different direction.“

Gilbertson said that he has implemented many cost-cutting measures during his first term. Those include serving cold breakfasts at the jail in Grants Pass, a move Gilbertson said saves $52,000 per year.

The sheriff also described morale in the sheriff“s office as being “better than it has been in years.“

“I think we have a proud group of people,“ Gilbertson said. “I think they“re working very hard.“

Alhough he praised incumbent Commissioner Dave Toler for his efforts, he said that he intends to stay neutral in the hotly contested commissioner race.

“I“m trying to stay out of the politics of that particular race anyway,“ Gilbertson said. “I consciously made the effort not to endorse anyone.“

If re-elected, the sheriff said that he plans to “keep doing what we“re doing“ at the sheriff“s office.

“I“ve got a lot of positive momentum going forward,“ Gilbertson said. “I feel very good about the last three and a half years, and I“m looking forward to the opportunity to continue with another term.“

Challenger Speaks

Allaire, who helps provide security at the Family Court in Grants Pass, elaborated on his law enforcement credentials.

He began as a volunteer with the Williams Fire District in 1983. Allaire became a special deputy with JCSO in 1992, and was a reserve deputy the following year. In “94, Allaire was sworn in as a regular deputy.

But prior to all that, Allaire said that he ran his own business. It started as a sole proprietorship in 1968 with $50,000 in annual revenue, he said, but grew to a $1.5 million corporation by 1983.

“I learned how to run a business for bottom line,“ Allaire said. “I know how to spend money the right way.“

He said that he is running for sheriff because he sees “a lot of inefficiencies“ at JCSO. He said that he would eliminate the undersheriff position currently held by Selma resident Don Fasching.

“The fact of the matter is, Fasching has somewhat of a control issue,“ Allaire said. “That tends to work against building morale.“

Also promised by Allaire was implementation of around-the-clock deputy patrols. He said that it is “mathematically possible with 15 deputies,“ which is fewer than the department currently has available.

Eliminating the undersheriff position would fund two patrol positions, Allaire said.

He responded to a question regarding his employment record with JCSO. He said that his troubles began when he tried informing Gilbertson about problems at the jail.

“Months later, I ended up being terminated by the sheriff,“ Allaire said.

Of eight allegations brought against him, Allaire said that only three made it to arbitration, and were “summarily dismissed.“

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