Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Otwell, Carlton in runoff

Nevada County voters will be asked to return to the polls again in June to determine who will be the countys sheriff. The May 23 primary election resulted in a runoff between incumbent Steve Otwell and challenger Bobby Carlton.

According to results from the Nevada County Clerks office, Otwell came in with 1,018 votes across the county. Carlton was a close second with 982 - just 36 short of a tie with Otwell. However, the third contestant in the race, Harold Vines, took 524 votes meaning that neither Carlton nor Otwell carried a clear majority. Since a majority is required to declare a win, the two who carried the most votes will now meet in a run off.

It was closer than I expected, said Carlton on Thursday following the election.

Carlton said this was his first bid for an elected position.

Its been interesting, he said. It was harder than I thought, but Ive enjoyed it.

Otwell said the totals showed him that he has to work hard until the June 13 runoff.

Otwell said one of the points made to him near election time was that voters werent happy that hed taken a job driving a bus for Nevada School. In response to that, he said hes resigned that position.

This job has always been the most important job for me, he said of the sheriffs office. Had I known ahead of time that it was going to offend people that I was driving the bus, I never would have done it.

I had a lot of supporters that did not go out and vote, Otwell said.

Carlton said he also has plans for the majority of the time before the election, including trying to get to people who have contacted him and to contact those he missed during the weeks before the primary. He said his goal will be to make his personal commitment to the office known.

Historically, there is a lighter turnout at runoff elections. This is especially true when the ballot contains only one local race, as is the case in Nevada County.

Both Carlton and Otwell said its important for voters to turn out for the run off election.

Dont assume your vote doesnt matter, Otwell said. We cant have that. Youve got to vote.

Otwell said hes prepared to step down if the voters of the county believe he hasnt done a good job, but said he hopes he isnt voted out of office simply because hes held the office for a decade.

If the majority of the people are not happy with the job Ive done, I can accept that, Otwell said. But dont vote for someone else just because Ive been in for ten years and you want to see what someone else can do.

Carlton said he believes it is time for a change, and said he hopes the voters agree.

Vines, who didnt earn a place in the runoff, said hes planning to support Carlton during the runoff, and is calling for those who voted for him to follow his lead.

I appreciate everybodys support that did support me, Vines said. Now I believe we need a change.

The two candidates have publicly aired their opinions on several topics. Both say that drugs are a major problem for Nevada County. Otwell spoke out following the election about the potential for curbing that problem.

The sheriff alone cannot - in a department the size of Nevada County - cannot control the drug problem in Nevada County, Otwell said. The illegal drug use should be our main concern. It is our main concern, but the responsibilities of the sheriffs office are vast.

Otwell said that his department are responsible for court duty, transportation, delivering summons and a myriad of other tasks that must be performed, making it difficult to follow up on reports.

On the subject of reports, Otwell said all county reports - with the exception of open felony cases - are open and available to public inspection in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. Otwell explained that even copies of traffic tickets are kept on file for a period of time, and are a matter of public record as required by law.

Carlton said he believes providing information should be part of the duties of the office. One of his goals, he said, is to use the computer system already in place more fully with regard to record keeping. He said he believes he can create a database to help the department track tips, complaints and information to better use the personnel available.

I want to bring the sheriffs office into the Twentieth Century, Carlton said.

Voting will be held at the normal precincts around the county. Early voting will be available. For more information, contact the county clerks office.