BENTON COUNTY (KFSM) — A committee met Monday evening (April 25) to decide on a which of the eight candidates will serve as interim sheriff.
The Benton County committee voted to select Meyer Gilbert as interim sheriff candidate. The Quorum Court will meet again Thursday.
After each candidate was given about 15 minutes to make his case to fill the vacancy, the justices of the peace voted on which candidate was deemed fit for the position.
“We are looking for stability. I want to make sure the person who comes in brings us stability and calmness,” said Barry Moehring, Benton County Justice of the Peace. “Frankly, I think the drama needs to be over. The sheriff’s office needs to be out of the headlines, and get back to the business of law enforcement.”
Gilbert stated that he has 22 years of experience in county law enforcement, a municipal city police department and international law enforcement.
“I think I am the outsider the quorum court wants in the sheriff’s department,” Gilbert said. “[They wanted the candidate] to be unbiased, to take a look at all the employees and positions. We will make some good decisions and go forward.”
For Gilbert’s resume, click here.
The position was left vacant after sheriff Kelley Cradduck handed in his letter of resignation; it was approved by the Quorum Court on April 15.
The Benton County attorney outlined the interview process for each candidate, which can be seen here.
Cradduck submitted a letter of resignation to the Quorum Court April 11 and the following day the Justices of the Peace voted to approve $80,000 for a buyout. On April 15, the Quorum Court approved Cradduck’s resignation and began the search for an interim sheriff.
