Gray seeks to improve services

Editor's Note: This is part of a series of candidate profiles based on answers to a questionnaire sent out by the Tribune.

Incumbent Ron Gray seeks to hold onto his job as Bourbon County Sheriff, a position he's held since 2008.

Gray, a Republican, is running to keep his seat in the Nov. 6 general election. He was born in Missouri but has spent over half his life in Bourbon County. He has lived in Fort Scott and Redfield and currently resides in rural Fort Scott.

Gray has 22 years of law enforcement experience and has worked with both the sheriff's office and the Fort Scott Police Department.

Gray said he is running for re-election because he wants to "continue to improve the services to the citizens of Bourbon County and improve the department overall. Some of the areas obviously have been impacted by the economic downturn over the past four years."

Gray said some of his strengths include being "approachable, fair, patient and always willing to help others."

As far as his weaknesses, Gray said he "still tries to please everyone and I don't delegate duties or assignments as I probably should, preferring to handle them myself."

Gray said he has some ideas for improving the sheriff's office.

"As the economy improves and allows, I would like to increase the number of deputies patrolling as well as assigning a full-time detective," he said. "I am currently working on a School Resource Officer position for the county."

Gray said he currently oversees five full-time deputies, one part-time deputy, and two reserve deputies, as well as one office staff member and one civil process server. The sheriff is also ultimately responsible for the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center and its employees.

Gray said cooperation between the city and county, as well as region-wide collaboration, is important to the area.

"Both law enforcement agencies in this county deal with the same individuals and problems and it is extemely important to share that information and work together and not duplicate the services in order to save time and money for the citizens of this county," he said.

Gray added the region "shares the same types of problems and it is important to work together and share information with one another as crime knows no boundaries."

Gray will face Democratic challenger Bob Jackson on Nov. 6.