Mar. 8—Union County Sheriff candidate Brian Bolton spoke Monday at the Creston Rotary Club’s regular meeting.

He announced his candidacy during Jan. 15 at the Republican Iowa Caucus site at Creston High School. Sheriff Mark Shepherd announced his plans to not run for re-election.

A Union County native, Bolton graduated from Creston High in 1998 and has an associate degree in criminal justice. He was a Union County deputy from 2002 to 2012. He is a First Responder Taskforce member where he helps find life insurance for all first responders. He is also a volunteer for Iowa Concern of Police Survivors to assist with funerals for police officers.

Bolton said his interests are continually improving and enhancing school safety. At the state level, he said there is discussion of having school employees be trained as law enforcement officers.

He explained how some departments in other parts of the country are adding mental-health officers where they have been trained to help with domestic calls and mental-health related cases.

Bolton explained how drug use and trafficking is a regular problem in the county and can lead to other crime. He said he is also concerned how common driving under the influence is in the county.

Bolton said the condition of the jail is an issue that needs addressed. Because of the jail’s limitations, Union County uses neighboring counties to house female inmates. He said housing federal inmates can help a jail budget since the federal government typically pays more to house an inmate than a surrounding county. He said federal inmates can be better behaved than others.

In other club news….

Rotary members will assist with BINGO April 19 at the Eagles.

Rotary members is expected to have its annual spring clean up on Monday, April 22. Club members pick up trash for a few miles along North Cherry Street Road north of Creston. The project is in conjunction with Southwestern Community College’s Pay it Forward week.

Club members will also participate in the Meals from the Heartland April 24 at Southwestern.

Rotary meets at noon the first and third Mondays of the month at Anson’s Bar and Grill.