Calvary Chapel Candidates Forum: Lyon County Sheriff’s Candidates

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

The four candidates for Lyon County Sheriff each took part in the Candidates Night forum hosted by Calvary Chapel May 8.

Incumbent Al McNeil touted a decrease in the county’s crime rate over the past four years from 25.2 per 1,000 residents, to 13.6 per 1,000. McNeil said he is running again to continue some of the initiatives the sheriff’s office has begun during his term.

“There is more that needs to be done to move law enforcement into the 21st century,” McNeil said.

Greg Kantz, a current LCSO deputy, pledged to help the City of Fernley establish its own police department.

“I’ll tell you Fernley, you have been robbed,” Kantz said. “Your office is not even staffed with a secretary.”

Frank Hunewill, also a current LCSO deputy who has served the department for 25 years, likewise said it is important to staff the Fernley substation from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. He also pledged to reopen the Silver Springs substation, saying the closure of that substation has added to call response times.

“The face of the department is the secretaries in our substation and deputies on patrol,” Hunewill said.

Doug Brunson, a retired LCSO deputy, served much of his career as a corporal and sergeant in the jail, and retired as a patrol lieutenant. He said one of his priorities would be to bring back the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy, which was started by former sheriff Sid Smith.

“I’d like to get the jail back on track and the patrol division staffing back on track,” Brunson said.

Following are the recordings of each candidate from the forum, including the questions and answers.

Editors note: This article was corrected because an earlier version misidentified Frank Hunewill.