Mather tabbed to replace Dahl as sheriff
By Rae KrugerMARSHALL - Lyon County Chief Deputy Mark Mather will fill the remaining term as county sheriff.
Mather was selected Tuesday after the Lyon County Board interviewed six finalists for the position which will end in 2010.
County Sheriff Joel Dahl will retire today with about two years remaining on his term.
"It will be hard to fill (Dahl's) shoes," Mather said. Yet, "I feel real good about it. I expect a smooth transition."
Mather was officially appointed and sworn in Tuesday afternoon at the county courthouse.
Mather has been chief deputy for three years. He has worked as a deputy, investigator and sergeant for the Sheriff's Department since the late 1980s.
Mather was selected by commissioners on a 3-2 vote after a discussion on if an appointment of a sheriff would seek election in 2010 created an advantage.
Mather plans to run for sheriff in 2010.
"I think it gives him a huge advantage at the election," commissioner Phil Nelson said after Tuesday's decision.
State law requires a board to appoint a sheriff is the position is vacated before an elected term expires.
Nelson and commissioner Steve Ritter voted against appointing Mather.
They said Mather was qualified but it was more fair to county residents to appoint a sheriff who did not plan to seek election in 2010.
Commissioners Bob Fenske, Mark Goodenow and Rodney Stensrud said they understood the position of Ritter and Nelson, but said the people of Lyon County would still elect the next sheriff in 2010.
"I'd say it's an advantage but not to the degree (Nelson and Ritter) think," Stensrud said after the meeting. "I don't think it will make or break an election.
"His performance will do that..."
Ritter and Nelson favored Marshall Police Officer Ron MacKenzie who was also a Murray County Sheriff for 16 years.
MacKenzie said in his interview he did not plan to run for sheriff in 2010.
MacKenzie, fellow Marshall Police Officer Sgt. Brian Gadd, Barack Bjorge, a Dakota County Sheriff's Captain, Lyon County Deputy Bruce Hanson and Lower Sioux Agency Police Chief Andy Schmidt were interviewed Tuesday.
"Mark will do a wonderful job for us," Lyon County Deputy Valerie Peichel said.
Mather has "absolutely" earned the respect of staff, Peichel said.
Mather said the Sheriff's Department staff has "very good people. We have a lot of long-term employees. The new people we've brought in are fitting in well."
Priorities for Mather include completing the jail addition, converting the county's radio system to narrow band by 2013 and resolving the mental health transport issue.
Mather was the final candidate interviewed Tuesday morning.
Commissioners began discussing the finalists and a sheriff appointment after Mather's interview.
County administrator Loren Stomberg said the heart of Tuesday's discussion was philosophical and not based on personnel.
Commissioners agreed.
Ritter said his desire to appoint a sheriff who would not seek election in 2010 was not based on any personnel issue.
"I'm not sure I'm convinced we shouldn't pick our best person," Fenske said. "If we appoint someone there will be some advantage. There is always an advantage with an incumbent."
Stensrud said he'd like to see continuity in the sheriff's department and favored appointing Mather.
"I'd like to see this be a unanimous decision by the board, but it won't be," Stensrud said.
The board took two straw votes with a 2-2 tie between Mather and MacKenzie in one vote and a third finalist who received one vote.
A second straw vote was 3-2 in favor of Mather, which was the same as the vote on Stensrud's motion to appoint Mather.
