Conard runs unopposed for 3rd term as sheriff

Font Size:

By Kurt Allemeier | Tuesday, October 21, 2008 9:29 PM CDT | () comments

The construction and renovation of the Scott County Jail is nearing completion, but Sheriff Dennis Conard says there is still work to do as he runs unopposed for a third term in the Nov. 4 election.

The Republican faced his last challenge in 2004 by former Davenport mayor and police officer Phil Yerington. Conard is a 35-year veteran of the sheriff’s department.

During his first two terms as sheriff, Conard helped oversee planning, construction and opening of the first phase of the new and remodeled Scott County Jail. He also helped implement contract policing with the Scott County towns of Dixon and Maysville and the provision of additional security at Scott Community College.

The biggest issue facing his office continues to be the work on the downtown jail and the Tremont Avenue jail annex and patrol headquarters. Bids will be let for the annex renovation later this year, and work is scheduled to be completed in late 2009.

“We took it from an old linear-style jail to direct supervision,” Conard said of the $29.7 million jail that opened late last year. “The staff has done an excellent job. Programming in the facility to reduce recidivism has been a major component.”

Housing female and juvenile inmates outside the county will remain an issue until the annex project is completed. He expects to start seeing some financial relief later this year when a women’s dormitory area opens in the 1983 jail addition.

Conard also is involved in the countywide emergency dispatching consolidation that he says will be more efficient and cost-effective. He says the project, approved in December by the boards of Davenport, Bettendorf, Scott County and Medic EMS, is going smoothly.

Kurt Allemeier can be contacted at (563) 383-2360 or kallemeier@qctimes.com.

Name: Dennis Conard

Age: 57

Party: Republican

Family: Wife, Vicki; children, Heather, Jennifer, Michael and Matthew

Education: Bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose University, Davenport

Occupation: Sheriff, has served with the sheriff’s department for 35 years

Elected experience: Sheriff since 2001.

Salary of the position: $95,500

CAST YOUR VOTE

Election: Nov. 4

Poll hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Iowa

Last day to pre-register to vote: Oct. 25 (can register at polls on Election Day with proper identification)

Last day to request absentee ballot: Oct. 31

For more information on candidate positions, go to qctimes.com/elections

For more election information: scottcountyiowa.com/auditor or (563) 326-VOTE (8683)

Find your precinct: scottcountyiowa.com/auditor/precinct_finder.php