LEWISBURG — Three candidates representing different areas of law enforcement are seeking the Republican nomination for Union County sheriff in Tuesday’s primary election.
They are Ernest Ritter, acting sheriff; William Neitz Jr., part-time Union County detective and former Lewisburg police chief; and Jim Galbraith, a lieutenant with the Hartleton Police Department.
The sheriff’s office is a four-year term with a $48,408 annual salary. Ritter was named acting sheriff after the unexpected death of John Schrawder in October.
Ritter, 44, of Lewisburg, has had his eyes set on becoming sheriff since he joined the department as a deputy 10 years ago. With three years of experience as a police officer, work with the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force and state attorney general’s Office Drug Task Force, as well as eight years as a K-9 handler, Ritter said he has the necessary experience and drive to do the job.
Law enforcement has long been a passion for Neitz, 54, of Lewisburg, who began his career as a 19-year-old police officer in Lewisburg. He worked his way through the ranks to become police chief before retiring in 2005. Neitz, who has more than 2,000 hours of training in law enforcement, hopes to funnel his passion to the sheriff's department.
For Galbraith, 55, of Mifflinburg, becoming sheriff would be the ultimate reward for a man who has spent more than 25 years working in law enforcement. In addition to time spent with the Mifflinburg and New Berlin police departments, Galbraith served 11 years in the Navy. Galbraith, who has worked for 30 years at Yorktowne Inc. and served as union president for 15 years, said becoming sheriff would be the pinnacle of his police career.
“Sheriff is the highest ranking law enforcement official in the county, elected by the people,” he said. “Everything I do revolves around people, so I have a good understanding of how to deal with people.”
Ritter was chief deputy for seven years. He spearheaded the launch of the county’s first K-9 unit in 2000, helped guide the department’s effort in launching one of the region’s first Project LifeSaver programs and helped trim the sheriff’s budget by $60,000 for this year.
“We’ve made changes in the office to make it more efficient and more cost-effective, without any loss to public safety and substantial budget cuts,” said Ritter, adding that staggering shifts has helped trim overtime. “We’re also working closer with local county jails and sheriff departments to help with prisoner transport, which has cut down on duplicating trips.”
Neitz, who graduated from Shikellamy High School in 1972, would like to see the county establish a criminal intelligence network. He said his 20 years as an investigator would be beneficial.
“I believe we can develop a network to share information with local, state and federal enforcement agencies,” Neitz said. “I would love to get to the point where the sheriff’s department becomes the central location of that network.”
Since 1997, Neitz has been part of several major drug investigations with the East Drug Task Force under the state attorney general’s office. He began his career as an investigator nearly 20 years ago with the Lewisburg police after graduating from the Allentown Police Academy Criminal Investigation School.
“The sheriff’s department is exposed to a lot of things through serving bench warrants, providing courthouse security and transporting prisoners,” Neitz said. “Because of that, the sheriff’s department is great source of information.”
n E-mail comments to jnorth@dailyitem.com.
News
3 seek GOP nod for sheriff
- News
-
-
Raw milk remains popular, despite illnesses
WASHINGTON — The popularity of unpasteurized raw milk remains strong despite warnings from public health officials about its dangers and outbreaks of bacterial infections. In the latest case untreated contaminated milk from a Pennsylvania farm has sickened 38 people on the East Coast. It's a reminder of the risks of consuming milk bottled straight from the cow.
-
State Supreme Court explains legislative redistricting decision
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court today explained its reasons for rejecting the state's legislative redistricting plan last week, and a justice who disagreed with the ruling said this year's races will have to be held under the existing, decade-old maps.
-
Heinz Endowments fund Flight 93 oral histories
PITTSBURGH — A project to compile oral histories of those connected to the crash of hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 will continue for at least the next three years due to a $225,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments.
-
LARA looks ahead
LEWISBURG -- The Lewisburg Community Pool and spring and summer schedule of events are the big concerns these days for those running the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority. Officials are confident they finally have the regional recreation authority's financial situation under control.
-
Wirth not first driver to face murder charge
LEWISBURG -- Christopher Wirth isn't the first person to face a third-degree murder charge in connection with a fatal crash in Union County. "A death involving a vehicle can support third-degree murder depending on the acts of the subject," District Attorney D. Peter Johnson said Thursday.
-
Bumpy ride for prison officers
SUNBURY -- It's been a rough week for two Northumberland County Prison commanders who were suspended without pay, had their wages reinstated, were laid off and then rehired. On Monday, Brian Wheary was suspended without pay from his $36,030-a-year position as commander. By Thursday, the 37-year-old was back on the job.
-
Reality TV star ready for visit
SHAMOKIN -- Ron Shirley has never been to Shamokin, has never been to the Valley at all, but he has an idea of what's waiting for him here. "The only thing I expect is to meet friendly, honest people," said Shirley, a star of the hit Tru TV reality series, "Lizard Lick Towing."
-
Masser to seek 2nd term
ELYSBURG -- State Rep. Kurt Masser, a Republican from Elysburg, announced Thursday that he will seek a second term representing the 107th Legislative District in the state House. "I am pleased to announce that I will be seeking a second term to represent the people of our area," he said. "We've accomplished a lot in our first term, but there is so much more to do. I want to keep being an independent voice for our community in Harrisburg."
-
West Milton man arraigned on robbery charges
A West Milton man is the second suspect in an armed robbery at a West Buffalo Township convenience store Saturday night. Michael Gulli, 41, of 310 Broad St., was arrested by Milton state police who said Gulli was involved in pointing a gun at two employees of the Forest Hill Store, on Buffalo Road, in Union County, and threatening to kill them.
-
Show guns for 1,500
LEWISBURG -- Hundreds of long rifles and other Colonial weapons that helped win the Revolutionary War and forge a nation will be on display -- and some, for sale -- today through Saturday at the fifth annual 18th Century Artisan Show.
-
VIDEO: Social media command center helps Super Bowl visitors
Indianapolis is the first Super Bowl host city to utilize the power of Twitter and other social media to help football fans get the most out of football's biggest event.
-
Tim Burns drops out of U.S. Senate race
HARRISBURG — An entrepreneur from southwestern Pennsylvania is dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate now that the Republican Party has endorsed another candidate.
- More News Headlines
-
