Sheriff plans to run again

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

LISBON — Columbiana County Sheriff David Smith announced Tuesday changes in his office.

Smith, a Republican who is in his second term as sheriff, said he will run again in 2008 for a four-year term.

Smith also announced the retirement of Pete Whitmore, who had been the chief deputy. His retirement, like the other changes, are effective July 1.

“Pete Whitmore has been my best friend for 30 years. I think we made a good team,” Smith said.

Whitmore has worked in law enforcement for 31 years.

The new chief deputy will be Allen Hauter, who has worked for the sheriff’s office for 23 years.

Hauter is a Republican. The sheriff’s office has been in Republican hands for many decades in the county.

Other personnel changes

Detective Sgt. Brian McLaughlin, who has been heading the county’s drug task force for about seven years, will take over as the head of the road patrols. He’s a 17-year member of the department,

The sheriff said that McLaughlin “has done an excellent job on the task force.”

Detective Sgt. Alan Young, an 18-year veteran of the department, will join the drug task force. In recent years, Young has investigated sex crimes against children.

“That job takes a big toll on a person,” Smith said.

A board that oversees the task force will select its new leader.

Deputy Steven Walker will return to detective status. He’s been working patrols. He’s a 13-year veteran of the department.

The move will leave the department one man short in road patrols with nine, instead of 10, men.

Smith said the department will make do with what it has.

Smith has asked the commissioners for more funding, but Commissioner Jim Hoppel has said funds aren’t available even though the commissioners are collecting a new 0.5 percent sales tax.

wilkinson@vindy.com