Newport
It is one of several contested Sullivan County races on Tuesday’s ballot.
Simonds, 46, a Republican and member of the Claremont City Council, said his goals, if re-elected to a second term, are to continue to improve communication and collaboration with police departments on both sides of the Connecticut River.
“If it involves law enforcement, I want to be a part of it,” he said.
In his first term, Simonds said, he has set up a “drug intelligence network” to stanch the flow of drugs, particularly heroin, into the region. The network includes communities from Langdon to Lebanon on the New Hampshire side of the river and from Bellows Falls to Hartford in Vermont.
“The goal is for law enforcement to communicate with each other so we can target the drug dealers,” Simonds said. “I think it has been very successful. We are sharing a lot more information.”
If re-elected, Simonds said he wants to start a program similar to the Keene Area Regional Intelligence Meeting, an email-based system that instantly alerts towns of certain situations, such as a stolen car or missing person.
“To me, it is important because it is another way of improving communication,” Simonds said.
O’Hearne is retiring from the Claremont Police Department after 30 years, having spent the last 20 as a patrolman. He is not seeking re-election to the New Hampshire House.
The 49-year-old, who also has served on the Claremont School Board, said “a visible presence” in the communities he will serve as sheriff would be a priority for him.
He said he is well-known throughout the region, thanks to his three decades working in the county.
“I am out there every day dealing with people, and everyone knows me,” O’Hearne said. “I will be a working sheriff, out there doing what I am asking my men to do.”
He said being a familiar face to many has made him a more effective officer in solving crimes. Furthermore, O’Hearne said, he has a strong working relationship with many of the area agencies and other groups that work with police.
“You have to know who to call. We will work together,” O’Hearne said.
Regarding the opioid crisis, O’Hearne again said his experience in the county will allow him to work closely with others to address the problem.
In other contested races, Democrat Jay Phinizy, of Acworth, a former state representative who lost a 2008 bid for state Senate, and Republican George Hebert, of Goshen, are running for county commissioner in District 3. Incumbent Ethel Jarvis is not seeking re-election.
Former City Councilor James Reed, D-Claremont, is making a second run for register of deeds against incumbent Republican Janet Gibson, also of Claremont.
Gibson was appointed to the position last January after the death of Shaunee Baker, who defeated Reed in the 2014 election.
In the only other contested county race, Democrat Patrick Adrian is challenging incumbent Republican Diane Davis for register of probate.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.
