Pemberton announces candidacy for Cass County sheriff
Garr Pemberton
Garr Pemberton announced plans to run for Cass County Sheriff. He has a college education with 17 years of law enforcement experience. He spent 11 of those years administering budgets and managing personnel.
For the last two years, he has been the police chief for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
Pemberton said former sheriffs Jim Dowson and Randy Fisher built a strong base, and as a former Cass County Deputy, Pemberton said he would continue in that tradition to support and improve the sheriff's office.
During conversations Pemberton has had with Cass County residents over the years, there are common areas of concern. Illegal drugs continue to be a growing problem in our communities. Meth, crack cocaine and prescription pills are three of the most commonly abused drugs in Cass County.
Pemberton said he would continue to work closely with federal, state and local agencies in a collaborative effort to reduce illegal drug activity.
Pemberton realizes with today's economy, everyone has to do more with less. Residents of the county want to see their hard earned tax dollars used effectively. His experience in responsibly managing departmental budgets spans seven years.
Despite losing 20 percent of his budget over the last two years, he managed a full time staff of 32, a temporary staff of more than 80, with no loss of service to citizens or staff layoffs.
Pemberton would implement new procedures to enhance community policing. The sheriff's office needs to foster better working relationships with county residents, he said. This is necessary to help combat illegal drugs and criminal activity in our county.
In order to build healthier communities, every member needs to put their best foot forward and do their part, he said. Different areas of the county such as Remer, Cass Lake, Pillager, Lake Shore, Outing and Backus have different concerns. Pemberton would work closely with the cities and townships within the county to address the issues and concerns of all citizens.
Pemberton has five children. He lives in the Walker area.
He serves on the Northwest OIC Jobs Training Center and the LIEC of the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District.
