The Caldwell County Republican Executive Committee hosted a Meet and Greet forum Tuesday night at the Courthouse for the five Republican candidates running for sheriff.
The five Republican candidates on the May ballot include Chris Noel, Brent McDowell, Don Weedman, Steve Caldwell, and Keith Suits.
Don Weedman was the third candidate called to the podium at the Meet and Greet to answer three questions that included his qualifications for sheriff, his plans to address the serious drug problem in Caldwell County if elected sheriff, and his plans to participate with other law enforcement agencies. He was allowed a total of 15-minutes to respond.
Weedman said his 40-years of law enforcement experience and his proven record sets him apart from the other candidates. He noted he was with Kentucky State Police for 26+ years with increasing areas of responsibility. He started in eastern Kentucky and then moved to Caldwell County in the mid-1980s.
click to download audioUpon retirement, Weedman said he was the Western Branch Commander and oversaw eight western state police posts. After retirement, he went to work for the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force for 3 1/2 years and worked in Caldwell and Webster counties. He then served as chief of the Princeton Police Department from 2007 to 2017 where he said residents saw a “great deal of improvements in the demeanor, the respect, and the operation of the police department.”
Weedman said the drug problem needs to be looked at in two separate venues — the first being the people who are addicted to drugs and the second the drug traffickers. He said they need to get the people who are addicted to drugs into rehabilitation programs and make families aware of what is available to them.
click to download audioHe said the actions of drug traffickers bringing the drugs in are fueling other crimes and they have to be dealt with differently and should be in prison.
click to download audioThe News Edge will have the responses to the questions from candidates, Steve Caldwell on Monday and Keith Suits on Tuesday.
You can hear Don Weedman’s complete answers to the questions by clicking on the audio below.
