OTTAWA — The race for Putnam County sheriff will be contested in the March 15 primary as well as the General Election in November.
Columbus Grove Police Chief Nick Gilgenbach filed papers with the Board of Election to challenge Mike Chandler in the primary election. Chandler is seeking his first reelection.
Mike Chandler said his 30 years in law enforcement, all with the sheriff’s office, the last four as sheriff, is the reason to vote for him. Chandler said he has proven leadership skills managing the agency of 60 employees with a jail, deputies and administrative staff.
“For Gilgenbach, being the police chief of Columbus Grove, what does he got, three or four guys?” Chandler said.
Gilgenbach, 33, the police chief of nearly four years, said his duties stretch well beyond the walls of the police department. He said he works with various village officials as well as other governmental leaders in the county.
“I’m huge in communities, huge in schools,” he said. “If you’re not out communicating and earning the respect of the community, you lose that.”
Gilgenbach said he has pushed for drug education in schools, something he said Chandler has not done. He said heroin, and other drugs, are serious problems that needed to be fought on various fronts including starting in schools to educate children on the dangers of drugs.
“We are behind the eight ball,” he said.
But Chandler, 56, said he has been in the schools with programs and with the help of others in the county is about to develop new programs to help adults with drug problems.
The winner of the Republican primary will go up against Leipsic Police Chief Dennis Cupp in the November General Election. Cupp is running as an Independent.
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