Hardel dedicated to duty
As the law enforcement liaison to Waupaca County Crime Stoppers, I’m asking citizens to please join me and other law enforcement officers in voting on Sept. 14 for Brad Hardel for sheriff.
Sheriff Hardel has shown a keen interest in our organization through his term as sheriff. He understands the challenges of providing law enforcement services in these challenging economic times and working with other organizations so both can accomplish these goals. This cooperation helps all the citizens of Waupaca County.
The fundamental duty of a law enforcement officer, from deputy to sheriff, is to keep the citizens of Waupaca County safe. I believe Sheriff Brad Hardel has demonstrated this through his professionalism and dedication to duty. As a law enforcement officer who has worked with Brad for over two decades, I believe Sheriff Brad Hardel to be an excellent candidate for sheriff and know he will continue to effectively serve the citizens of Waupaca County.
Carl Artz, Manawa
The right man for the job
I am writing this letter to show my support for Brad Hardel as Waupaca County sheriff and to ask for your support as well.
Election time is approaching rapidly, and I trust that every person reading this letter has done their homework and is educated on what each candidate stands for and the truth behind their statements so they know what effect their vote will have on themselves and their community. Since it is our duty to understand the truth about candidates before voting one way or another, I also trust that you understand why I urge you to support the re-election of Brad Hardel for sheriff. But don’t take my word for it, look at just a couple of the many tangible and intangible reasons why Brad Hardel is the best candidate for Waupaca County sheriff.
Brad has grown up in this area. He knows the people, he knows their needs, and he understands their struggles. As he has shown over this last term, Brad is in tune with what the community’s needs are, and fights for what is best for the community and what he believes in.
Brad has shown a solid foundation built on strong morals and values, and proven his ability to lead by example. Brad has displayed his passion for helping others and willingness to work hard to get any job done right. Brad has also implemented some new programs to make our community safer, and one such program is a canine unit. In fact, he is in the process of getting another dog trained for the unit. Brad is also in the process of starting a dive and rescue team.
We all know that actions speak louder than words, and false rumors and name-calling does not get any job done. That’s why I urge you to seek out the facts. Look at the actions Brad has taken and the results that have been shown. I trust that your research will clearly lead you to the best candidate for the job, and I am positive that man is Brad Hardel.
If you’re still not convinced, consider this. Would you ever endorse someone unless you knew they were the right person for the job, unless you were positive that this person had the right skill set, morals and values to make a difference? I wouldn’t. And that’s why I am endorsing Brad Hardel, as I can say with 100 percent confidence that Brad Hardel is the right person for the job. He has the right skill set, morals and values to make a difference in our community. And that’s also why Brad has the support of members of the county board and his fellow officers. His actions have spoken and all have heard!
Please join me in supporting the best man for the job, Brad Hardel for Waupaca County sheriff. Thank you for helping me make a difference in our community.
Sara Buchholz, Weyauwega
Gorman endorses Walker
My name is James Gorman, a former candidate in the 2006 campaign for Waupaca County Sheriff. First and foremost, I would like to thank the people who supported me. Your belief in me was overwhelming and I was humbled, and honored by your commitment to me and my convictions.
Despite being short on votes, running for office was a positive experience. I met so many new and down-to earth people who expressed similar values to mine. I feel very privileged.
Now four years later, another candidate has emerged possessing my same goals and beliefs. Dave Walker (the current police chief in the city of Manawa) has a vision for positive change to open and professional leadership throughout the Sheriff’s Office.
As a criminal investigator I have had the opportunity to work with Walker on several investigations, in particular a case where an internet predator was preying on the youth of our county. Walker has many years experience working on major task forces, such as the Green River serial murder case. He brought the Police Chiefs in the county together to form the Waupaca Area Computer Crimes Task Force to work on the problem. This proves his ability to take on difficult issues and to achieve results through effective collaboration and cooperation.
I have come to know Walker as one who does not accept the status-quo and he “leads by example.” Walker has 30 years of police and administrative experience and the skills to establish professional standards and improve efficiency. In a recent conversation I had with Walker, he expressed that this election is about all of “us,” and not just about him. He has everyone’s interest at heart and is a man of compassion and great integrity. That’s why I’m certain that he can pull the sheriff’s office together to lead us in the right direction in the years to come.
We have a window of opportunity and it is a critical time for positive change in our county. I respectfully ask the people who graciously supported me in my efforts in the 2006 sheriff’s election, to re-direct their support to Dave Walker and vote for him Sept. 14 in Republican primary election. I encourage you to contact your friends and family and ask them to do them same.
James Gorman, Manawa
Hardel has strong community ties
This is an exciting election year in Wisconsin with many races – from the governor’s race to local elected positions, and all of those in between.
The Waupaca County sheriff’s race is an especially important one for my family. My name is Shannon Hardel and I am married to incumbent Sheriff Brad Hardel.
Political races are never easy, and this one is no exception as we work hard each day in our jobs and campaign evenings and weekends for Brad’s position as sheriff. We have maintained a positive race and will continue to do so. I want to thank the Waupaca County citizens for their kindness and support shown us through the past years and present.
As Brad’s wife, I can tell you that he is a man of his word and is honest and kind, and is a leader you can trust to continue to keep you, the citizens of Waupaca County, safe. Your best interests are his priority at all times. I see this firsthand as his phone rings at all hours with updates and notices of issues within the county. Many, many nights Brad has gotten up to attend to a family who has lost a loved one in an accident and feels privileged to be able to do so.
Brad is a lifelong resident and has had no desire to live elsewhere because he knows and understands how great Waupaca County is and what a wonderful place it is to raise a family. Brad and I look to you for your continued support and ask all Waupaca County citizens to please vote in the primary election on Sept. 14. I thank you so much for your time and consideration.
Shannon Hardel, Scandinavia
Walker the better candidate
As a Waupaca County law enforcement executive for nearly a decade, I have been fielding questions as of late from area residents on who is the better candidate for sheriff.
The answer to this question lies in one’s knowledge of the internal workings of the sheriff’s office and also their understanding of how the culture of an organization reflects the character of its leader. Of which, the answer to this question is difficult to properly articulate in newspaper print or radio spots.
Trying my best to do just that, I state with certainty over the years I have become more and more perplexed by the sheriff’s office operations. Knowing that if a leader were to use an integrated approach, which consisted of economic, legal and moral viewpoints, in order to arrive at conclusions that were supported by the strongest possible ethical arguments, this leader would be able to meet the current and future challenges of this agency. When viewed in this context, the answer to the question of who is the better candidate becomes clear, elect Dave Walker sheriff.
As one of the key figures in the process that selected Walker as police chief, as well as working with Walker after his hiring, I know firsthand of Walker’s qualifications and potential to bring about positive change.
Walker’s humble and personable nature, in addition to his extensive professional accomplishments, have allowed Walker to develop the critical attributes necessary to provide the foresight and leadership desperately needed by our ailing sheriff’s office.
Thus, I fully support Walker’s bid in becoming our sheriff. I would ask the support of the electorate by voting Dave Walker Waupaca County sheriff on Sept. 14.
Chris Hughes, Marion
Hardel values officers’ input
My name is Robert Karski and I am a detective sergeant with the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department. I am writing this letter in support of our current sheriff, Brad Hardel, whom I have had the pleasure of working with the past 16 years.
I have worked under the past three sheriffs and have a deep respect for each one. Sheriff Hardel has shown me that being a leader is caring for your community and the employees of the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department even when difficult decisions had to be made. He is constantly looking for a more efficient means to provide quality service to the citizens of Waupaca County. A few examples are the addition of two K-9 Units, snowmobile patrol and new upgrades to the communication towers.
He is fiscally minded when the county as whole has had to work to meet budgetary shortfalls due to the economy of our county, state and country. Sheriff Hardel came to each division and spoke with the bargaining groups (union members) for ideas on how we could help save the budget. We were all given a chance to voice our ideas and Sheriff Hardel and the County Personnel Department reviewed them.
Sheriff Hardel has always had an open-door policy with the employees. I have always been able to talk with him and never felt that I could not approach him with my ideas. Sheriff Hardel is one for training and keeps officers up-to-date on the latest trends in law enforcement. He has allowed officers to be trained in specialized fields and now we are able to have in-house training sessions, which bring training costs down.
I have seen the sheriff’s department work well with other departments throughout Waupaca County and I and other officers have always been allowed to help any law enforcement agency that has asked.
I encourage you, the citizens of Waupaca County, to support and vote to re-elect Brad Hardel as our sheriff. You won’t be disappointed.
Robert Karski, Ogdensburg
Act of kindness demonstrates character
I have a true story that I’d like to share.
A couple of years ago, we were hit with a huge snowstorm. For me, it was a nightmare. We lived on top of a hill with a long, steep driveway, our plow wasn’t working, and my husband was away for two weeks for training.
We had school that day since the plows had been out all night and the roads were fairly clear. So the kids and I shoveled our way to the jeep, which thankfully had four-wheel drive. We gave it all we had and with cheers from everyone, we made it safely down the driveway and onto the road.
I dropped my kids off at school and, knowing it was a lost cause, I tried several times to get up the driveway, but to no avail. I spent a lot of time shoveling that day and barely made a dent. I knew I would have to call someone to help us, but I wanted to talk with my husband first about the details. That didn’t happen until late that night when he was done with training for the day.
That evening, the kids and I were surprised to see lights coming up our driveway. Someone with a plow had come to clear our driveway. It was Brad Hardel. What a sight it had to be – five faces pressed up against the window to see what was going on.
Apparently, Brad was dropping his kids off at school at the same time I was and saw that the plow was not on our jeep. He knew my husband was away for training and that the kids and I were on our own. He had a lot to take care of at his own house after work, but he came to help us out. We were so grateful. Our plow wasn’t a quick fix, so Brad plowed us out several times that year.
It’s amazing how a kind act can make such a difference in someone’s life. Does character matter? You bet it does.
Susan E. Loken, Iola
Re-elect an effective sheriff
As longtime county residents, we have had the privilege of knowing four administrations at the sheriff’s department. With all due respect to the preceding sheriffs, it is our opinion that Sheriff Brad Hardel has served the county most effectively. And, as a 25-year veteran of law enforcement, I consider Brad one of the finest sheriffs I have ever worked for.
In facing arguably the most challenging economic times, Brad has implemented new programs like the canine units and the county snowmobile patrol. Under his leadership, countywide communication for emergency personnel was improved through squad laptops and upgraded communication towers.
These programs were also provided to municipal departments, demonstrating Brad’s willingness to cooperate with municipal law enforcement.
Such programs have been implemented despite budget constraints by offsetting costs through grants, public fundraisers and increased revenue from out-of-county jail contracts.
Through innovative solutions, collaborative management practices and difficult decisions, Brad has earned the respect and support of county board members, department heads and fellow officers, including police chiefs throughout the county. As a volunteer in his community and a leader in his church, Brad has likewise garnered the respect of people from all walks of life with his down-to-earth, approachable style.
Regardless of your political views or party affiliation, we encourage you to honor those who have sacrificed to preserve our freedom and security at home by exercising your right to vote on Sept. 14.
John and Cheryl Mocadlo, New London
Integrity needed in difficult times
Our nation and our communities have seen the effects of a recession, the economic impact on our communities have resulted in high unemployment, higher crime rates, an increase in alcohol and drug abuse, domestic situations at an all-time high, shared state revenue at an all-time low, and community budgets tighter than ever.
To get us through tough times like this, we need exceptional leaders in key positions. Leaders who exhibit flexibility, who understand the complex system, and who willingly change their means and directives to reach the desired end state. A leader who is confident in his or her abilities and decisions, yet exhibits humility when listening to other viewpoints. A leader who empowers others to be creative and persistent in resolving neighborhood disputes or community discourse.
However, the most important traits to possess as a leader is ethical integrity and strong character. Possessing these traits will guide and influence all other decisions and characteristics, such as honesty, commitment, compassion, understanding, reasonableness, fair, teamwork orientated, sharing expectations and holding people accountable.
Brad Hardel has been performing his duties as Waupaca County sheriff for the past four years and has demonstrated to be an effective leader by using his moral and ethical integrity as his guide. Without accountability there is no commitment, without commitment there is no pride, and without pride, service is greatly impacted. Brad Hardel holds himself and his department accountable, Brad is committed to providing the highest level of service, and Brad takes great pride in his position and duties.
I believe the following statement is a good reflection of Brad Hardel’s leadership ability. “If I am going to lead, I must be trusted. To be trusted, I must be trustworthy. Trustworthy is born from character and competence.” Brad Hardel has strong character, is highly ethical, and has demonstrated his competence. Please join me in supporting Brad Hardel.
Jamie MacDonald, Mosinee