People often ask me, “How will you fix <insert problem here> as sheriff?” Well, the usual answers involve things like “catch more bad guys,” “write more tickets,” or “get more money and deputies.” While these might help sometimes, we need to think differently about solving problems. Rather that just throwing more money at age old problems.

Let me explain with an example: Imagine there’s a box of thumbtacks and a tea candle on a desk. Now, here’s the challenge: use these items to stick the candle to the wall. Take a moment to think about how you’d do it before reading ahead.

Okay, ready for the solution? We usually use thumbtacks to pin things on boards or walls, right? But what if we also use the box — the thing that holds the thumbtacks — to help solve the problem? This time we’ll be thinking “thinking inside the box.” 🙂

Now, back to the questions people ask me. Sometimes, we keep trying the same old tactics to solve problems in Rice County, like a broken record. But doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is just crazy. We need to look at our resources in new ways, like we did with the thumbtacks and box, and approach problems from different angles.

If I become sheriff, this is exactly how I’ll tackle our problems. Sure, sometimes we’ll need more money, deputies, and enforcement. But are they always the answer? I don’t think so. I promise to think creatively and find innovative solutions before spending your hard-earned tax dollars.

Nick Sowers
Candidate for Rice County Sheriff