Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Otwell To Work On County Peace And Harmony

In seeking the position of Nevada County Sheriff, Steve Otwell brings four years as a part-time certified deputy.

During this time, the Emmet resident volunteered more than 3,000 hours to his community and the county in the area of law enforcement.

"I take this very seriously," he said.

"Before I got involved (in law enforcement) the Emmet area was getting serious. We had people squalling their tires."

He said the Nevada County Sheriff's Office was "stretched thin" and didn't have enough men to adequately cover the county.

Because of this, and the fact children were in danger if they played near streets, he worked with former sheriff Abb Morman and Hempstead County Sheriff Jerry Crane to form an auxiliary deputy reserve program.

In the first meeting, only Otwell, his brother, Mike, and James Osborn (constable for the region), showed. These three, however, completed the 100 hour course, meeting all qualifications the state had imposed.

From there, Otwell began patrolling Emmet. When the word got out, the city repaired its old patrol car and allowed the two young Otwells to use it.

The intensified effort, he said, worked, especially with the assistance of the NCSO. When Otwell wrote tickets, the NCSO made sure they were enforced.

Emmet, he said, quietened down. The auxiliary force has made a difference.

If elected, Otwell said he will utilize the reserves as much as possible, and expand it to the maximum number of reserve officers it can have.

"I was born in Nevada County," he said, "and am a lifelong resident, and have no desire to live anywhere but Nevada County."

Being able to live and work in Nevada County, he said, is what he wants for his children.

"I have something to offer the people of the county as sheriff," he said. "I'd like to see people on the lower end of the county get more law enforcement.

"I intend, if elected, to see they get it. I will work on peace and harmony and will listen to people's complaints and see what I can do."

Otwell said if elected, he will attend the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in Camden and become fully certified. "I will do whatever I can to further my knowledge of law enforcement," he said.

Otwell and his wife, Vivian, have been married 12 years and have three children, Holly, 11, Shane, 8, and Briana, 5.

In his spare time, Otwell enjoys hunting and fishing. He and his family are members of the First Baptist Church of Emmet.

Should he be elected, he said he and his deputies will work to maintain high moral values.

One of his goals will be to reach "lost people," and help them find their way.

"I've been told all my life young people need to get involved," he said. "I'm giving the people of Nevada County the chance to get a young man involved.

"I understand the responsibility involved and will do the best job I can do to make this a county where people want to come and live.

"I have a vested interest in this county because of my children."

Otwell said Nevada County needs a sheriff who can communicate with and relate to younger people.

"I have no preconceived ideas about the job," he said. "I'm open to suggestions from the people, and can deal with the public. I consider myself a friend to all."