Primary election is Tuesday

By Danica Baker
Herald Staff Writer

May 31, 2008 12:38 am

— CLINTON — Primary nominating elections for county, state and federal offices will be held Tuesday across Iowa.
Though some races are uncontested and the candidates that have filed will proceed directly to the Nov. 4 general election, nominations for some offices are being sought by more than one person.
Here are the local races that Clinton County voters will decide Tuesday.
Sheriff
Incumbent Rick Lincoln and Deputy Roger Phelps are vying for the Democratic nomination for the position of county sheriff. The Democratic nominee will face Republican John Davis, a Clinton police officer, in the Nov. 4 general election.
Rick Lincoln
Rick Lincoln is seeking re-election for a third term as Clinton County sheriff. Lincoln is looking forward to using his 23 years of experience to continue to build relationships with other agencies and address new issues facing the county.
Coupled with his 16 years as a deputy sheriff prior to being elected to his first term, Lincoln believes that his experience will continue to serve him well in the capacity as sheriff. He has experience and training in budgeting, collective bargaining and human resource management. He has also served as interim emergency management coordinator.
“In my 23 years working in this organization I have learned the best law enforcement strategies and techniques both on the job and in the classroom,” Lincoln said. “My past seven years as sheriff have provided me with invaluable on-the-job leadership training and continued experience working with my staff to make the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office one of the premier agencies in the state.”
Lincoln has also prioritized working with the communities he serves through the DARE program, Seniors vs. Crime, Clinton Schools’ 21st Century after-school program and Gateway Area Police Administrators.
“As sheriff, I believe that our efforts to educate the vulnerable members of society in order to help them from becoming victims of crime is one of the most important things we do. We are not strictly a law enforcement agency, we are a service agency,” said Lincoln.
Lincoln believes this strong base in experience, leadership and relationships with the communities he serves has prepared him for the issues facing the county in his next term.
“The most pressing issue facing the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office involves the status of the jail,” said Lincoln. “This is an issue that concerns all taxpayers of Clinton County. Because it is of such concern I look forward to facilitating public discussion and input. I have already begun the process of jail evaluation by consulting the National Institute of Corrections, free of charge to the taxpayers.
For more information on Lincoln, visit www.lincolnforsheriff.com.
Roger Phelps
Sgt. Roger Phelps graduated from Clinton schools and went on to attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. He worked with the Sheriff’s Reserve for two years before becoming employed by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office full time. He is an 18-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, having served 11 years in the jail and on road patrol, three years in general investigations and three years in drug investigations. He served 1 1/2 years as road patrol supervisor and currently is assigned to the road patrol division.
He is an evidence technician, arson investigator, ASP baton instructor and defensive tactics instructor. Phelps is a team leader for a variety of area law enforcement organizations, including the Gateway Area HEAT Tactical Team, Blackhawk Area Task Force and Sheriff Emergency Response Team. He has been a volunteer for the Camanche Volunteer Fire Department and Andover Fire Department. Phelps and his wife, Carolyn, have four children.
He said he enjoys his work with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, noting one of the best parts of the job is working with the public and his co-workers.
“I have liked going to work every day and it’s because of the citizens of Clinton County and the people I’ve worked with,” commented Phelps.
Phelps said he always wanted to be sheriff, but has never held an elected office before. He noted that in recent years, friends had been asking when he would finally run for the office. He said he decided to begin a campaign to become sheriff when needed changes in the sheriff’s department came to light for him. Phelps said he feels he can help make some of those changes, including manpower, budgeting and equipment issues.
Phelps said he would look into having a community service officer position, which would free up other deputies for traffic enforcement and criminal investigations and enhance patrol to the point where deputies have different avenues of service. He said the position could help speed up response time and allow more time that the officer could spend with county residents. He said the community service officer would provide services throughout Clinton County, including all the unincorporated towns in the county without their own police force.
Phelps said he knows he can handle the departmental budget and will look at the funding available and prioritize line items based on needs. He said he is extremely concerned about overcrowding at the Clinton County Jail. Phelps said the department has “officer safety” issues with radios and firearms and he would like to see the department get TASERs.
Phelps said he thinks he can be a strong leader and serve as an inspiration as head of the sheriff’s department. He said any county residents with questions, concerns or comments, or who would like to assist in his campaign, may contact him at 243-7856 or votephelps08@yahoo.com.

Board of Supervisors
Two area men, Richard Peasley and Brian Schmidt, are contesting each other for the Republican nomination for the open seat on the Board of Supervisors, being vacated by Democrat Grant Wilke. The Republican nominee will face Democrat John Staszewski in the Nov. 4 general election.
Richard Peasley
Richard Peasley was born and raised in Clinton, graduated from Clinton High School in 1965 and attended Clinton Community College. He married the former Renae Schroeder in 1968; they are the parents of two children, Michelle Hoffman of rural Clinton and Mike Peasley of Dallas. Michelle and her husband, David, operate the Schroeder family farm, west of Andover, and Michelle teaches in the elementary grades in the East Central School District. Mike and his wife, Kelly, reside in Dallas. Mike is a sports broadcaster and Kelly is employed with the American Heart Association.
Peasley joined the Clinton Police Department on Jan. 2, 1970, and served as an officer there until 1977. He then joined the DeWitt Police Department and was promoted to chief in 1980. He served continuously in that position until his retirement in 2002. In 2002, Peasley was hired by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, first serving as a court security officer and bailiff. In summer 2005, Peasley transferred to the Clinton County Jail staff and currently serves there full time as a corrections officer.
The release stated Peasley has extensive experience and training in budgeting, collective bargaining and employee relations and believes that experience will serve him well as a county supervisor. He said he has thoroughly enjoyed serving in the public sector for the past 38 years and is looking forward to continuing that service as a member of the Clinton County Board of Supervisors.
Peasley stated there are many issues facing the current board, probably the most difficult being trying to balance the county budget utilizing current revenues. He also is interested in being part of the ongoing discussion concerning the overcrowding at the Clinton County Jail. He said he believes any discussion on building a new jail to replace the current 38-year-old facility should be preceded by an in-depth review of the causes that contribute to the overcrowding problem.
Peasley said he is concerned with the cuts in mental health funding at the state level.
“Revenues to address mental health issues have not kept pace with the growing demand for those services,” Peasley said in the release.
He noted that he has seen firsthand that too many people with mental health issues are ending up in jail facilities where treatment options are limited, at best. He feels that simply “warehousing” persons with mental health issues in a county jail environment only exacerbates their problems.
Peasley is a member of Chancy Lutheran Church, Clinton, where he previously served as congregational vice president, is a current member of the pastoral support committee and has served as a lay leader, an usher and sang in the church choir. His past memberships have included the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police and the Iowa Police Executive Forum. He said he is especially proud to have been a charter member of Clinton County’s Seniors Vs. Crime program.
Peasley concludes that he is cognizant the Board of Supervisors position requires a full-time commitment from its members and, if chosen to serve, will resign his current position with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding Peasley's candidacy can call him at (563) 659-3371.
Brian Schmidt
Brian Schmidt, 51, of Delmar, has lived in Clinton County all his life. He is a graduate of DeWitt High School and obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree at Iowa State University. Schmidt owns a farm just south of Delmar and has driven a semi truck for the past five years. His wife, Jane, is a middle school teacher in Maquoketa and the couple have three children, Kate, Ben and Sam.
While he has not previously held any political office, Schmidt said he always has been interested in politics and knew he would run for office someday. When he learned that Supervisor Grant Wilke would not seek re-election to the board this year, he decided it was time to declare himself a candidate for the position.
He commented that though he never served in the military, he has a great respect for those who do and always had it in mind to aid his community in some way. Schmidt said he views his run for political office as an effort to serve the citizens of the county.
“I’m willing to work hard and use common sense to solve problems. I have a lot of heart for the people of Clinton County and I want to serve them the best I can,” he said.
Schmidt said he sees taxes, limited funding for mental health, economic vitality and road work as some of the major issues facing the county.
“Taxes are always a big issue. The board has been very diligent in keeping them as low as possible, but still offering services,” Schmidt said. “Roads are a big concern for everyone in the county.”
He remarked he is troubled by the fact that he has seen many fellow farmers have to take on second jobs in order to make ends meet.
“Prices are good, but input costs are up, so the margins are tighter. Everything is cyclical, so it’s bound to settle and even out,” he commented.
Schmidt said that in driving his semi, he has met many wonderful people with inspirational stories, such as one man who created several garden areas where homeless people could grow vegetables and eat or sell them.
“It’s been really eye-opening. I’ve seen firsthand how ordinary people can make big changes in major ways. One person can make a difference. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things,” he said.
Schmidt said he also was encouraged to run for office because of the inspiration his children have provided. He stated that his three children have gone on mission trips in various countries and noted his daughter, Kate, will be traveling to China after getting married this year to serve as an English teacher.
“I’ve been spurred on by my kids to invest time in something where I can make a difference,” he said.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding Schmidt's candidacy can call him at (563) 674-4652.

Clinton County Auditor
Two men are vying to be the Democratic nominee for Clinton County Auditor, Dan Behr, of Grand Mound, and Eric Van Lancker, of Clinton. Current County Auditor Charlie Sheridan will retire after his current term expires. No Republican candidate is listed.
Dan Behr
Dan Behr was born and raised in Clinton County, attended schools in Camanche, Clinton, Low Moor, and graduated from Central Community School at DeWitt. He attended Clinton Community College, majoring in accounting. Behr has more than 30 years of experience in the auditing field. During this time, he completed numerous business administration and leadership courses and has held several executive level positions. He is a past officer of the Quad-Cities and Central States Auditors’ trade association. Behr is serving his 10th term as mayor of Grand Mound. Under his leadership the city completed several capital improvement projects, including a new city hall, fire station expansion, wastewater plant upgrade, new water treatment plant, senior housing and creation of a 28E agreement with Wheatland and Lowden for garbage service. Behr was a volunteer fireman for 25 years, is past president of the local Jaycee chapter, past officer of the Grand Mound Ball Club and currently serves on the Central Community School Five-Year Facilities Planning Committee, the Clinton County Emergency Management Commission and the Clinton County E911 Commission.
Behr and his wife, Cindy, have one son, Danny. They are active members of Immanuel Lutheran Church at Grand Mound. Behr enjoys playing golf and gardening in his spare time.
When asked why he is running for office, he said, “the duties and responsibilities of the auditor combine my professional career and my experience in public service. I feel well qualified to uphold the high standards set by the present Auditor, Charlie Sheridan.”
Eric Van Lancker
Eric Van Lancker is employed as assistant superintendent of collection systems for the Clinton water pollution control plant, a position he has held since 2004. He worked for Community Care, Inc., in Charlotte as marketing and development coordinator from 2001 to 2004 and at the Clinton Herald as news editor and a staff writer from 1994 to 2001.
Van Lancker is a 1992 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Communications/Radio and Television Broadcasting.
In addition, he has been involved in a number of local organizations earning him the 2004 Jaycees Annual Distinguished Community Service Award. He has served on the Clinton LumberKings Board of Directors since 1995, the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce from 2001 to 2007, the Women’s Health Services Board of Directors from 2002 to 2004, the David Hartmann Foundation Board of Directors for Community Care, Inc., since 2004, and served as a volunteer teacher for Junior Achievement in the Northeast Elementary School in Goose Lake, and Lyons Middle and Whittier elementary schools in Clinton from 2003 to 2005. He is also a volunteer for the Clinton County Democratic Party.
Van Lancker is being endorsed by current County Auditor Charlie Sheridan.
“I believe my work experience and educational background have well prepared me for the office. I hope the citizens of Clinton County will agree with me and I ask that they give me their vote in the election,” Van Lancker said. Van Lancker said he has given considerable thought to the position and has met closely with Sheridan to understand the many different job responsibilities of the auditor’s office.
“I look at my candidacy as the most important job interview of my career,” Van Lancker said. “In all of my previous positions I have always brought with me a commitment to doing the very best job possible. I will bring that same commitment with me to the county auditor’s position.”
Van Lancker and his wife, Tanya, have two children, Caitlyn, 10, and Jackson, 6. Tanya currently is in her 15th year of teaching special education with the Clinton School District.

Note: Candidate information was provided to the Clinton Herald via a press release or interview. Candidates for the individual offices are listed in alphabetical order.