How do you anticipate building a working relationship with the Oneida Indian Nation?

John Ball: The office has had a great working relationship with the Nation Police Department for the past 7years, and they are part of our county Chiefs of Police group that meets bi-monthly. They are professional, reliable and genuine, and have numerous resources that are made available to us if needed. During the flooding in Oneida, Nation PD responded with boats and other resources to evacuate residents and ensure the ongoing security of the city. Nation PD also assisted during the recovery period from the tornado that devastated the Town of Smithfield, offering portable light towers and manpower to protect the impacted area for four days. We also partner on training opportunities routinely, and they share their training resources with our deputy sheriffs and correction officers at no charge. The Nation PD is an invaluable public safety partner and are always willing to help when called upon. Todd Hood: Our next Madison County Sheriff needs to work for the safety of all Madison County residents, businesses and organizations. It would be unfair and unethical to interact with any single person or individual with better treatment or worse treatment.

What would you do to support police and advocacy groups in the fight against the drug epidemic?

John Ball: For two decades, we have cut and slashed substance abuse counseling, education, treatment space, elementary and high school educational programs, mental health bed space. The solution won’t come overnight, but we continue to Todd Hood: The opioid and drug epidemic has nearly reached a crisis point and the Sheriff’s Office hasn’t done nearly enough to combat it. We need a new Sheriff who will prioritize attacking this issue, and who has the right combination of experience and new ideas to get the job done. I spent 23 years on the front lines fighting drugs as a member of the Syracuse Police Department. As a detective, I helped lead the Gang Task Force to get drugs off the street. And for the last two years, I’ve served as an investigator for the Onondaga County District Attorney. If elected as our new Sheriff, I’ll implement new tools and methods to fight heroin, including more coordinated investigations with the State Police, local police departments and District Attorney’s Office. I’ll also promote more use of Narcan - a lifesaving medicine that can save lives in overdose situations, and I’ll work with