Good Evening. Most of you all know me, I am Robert Belt. I have been employed by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department since 2000. I am currently the Chief Deputy and I have been employed by the Clay County Board of Education since 2003 as a sub bus driver, becoming a full time bus driver in 2014.
Serving Clay County as a Deputy for 16 years, I have experienced a lot of different things, some things I hope I never have to experience again, but as a Certified Police Officer, this is my duty. I have investigated fatality crashes, homicides, and helped apprehend a man who killed two of my fellow police officers. I am a seasoned deputy and have experienced law enforcement in the most stressful situations and have shown my loyalty, integrity and compassion for the citizens of Clay County and my fellow officers. I feel I have what is required to be the Sheriff of Clay County.
If elected as your Sheriff, I would resign with the Clay County Board of Education as a bus driver and give my full attention to serving the citizens of Clay County as Sheriff. The county, as everyone is well aware of, is in a financial difficulty, therefore the budget for the Clay County Sheriff’s Department is well below what is needed to run as I would like to see it. As of now, our police department works from 8am to 4pm and that is to ensure that the courts are bailiffed properly, circuit court, family court and magistrate court along with assisting the probation office. I want to work toward having an evening shift also in place.
I would strive for the Sheriff’s Department Office to be run with a professional and pleasant atmosphere to make the citizens feel comfortable in coming to the office for their needs.
My plans are to find a way to increase the salaries of our deputies to ensure we have qualified and efficient deputies who want to work in Clay County and help make the citizens feel it’s a safe place to live. I also want to purchase a K-9 unit for our department to help with the raging drug war that is affecting this world.
I hope you and the voters of Clay County see that my experiences and work ethics are a positive thing and vote for me to be the Sheriff of Clay County.
Robert Belt
Candidate for Clay County Sheriff