7 Questions With Chip Meister
September 9th, 2010 | 
Author: Welcome to the first in a new Skillet Creek feature called “7 Questions”. Our plan is to offer a quick and light interviews with some of the folks who share our community. Questions will always be an eclectic mix of the serious and the superficial with the goal of teasing out a little drop of insight into the folks we meet.
We’re kicking off with the three candidates for Sauk County Sheriff; Chip Meister, William Steinhorst & Paul Hefty. Meister & Steinhorst are facing each other in next week’s Republican primary so we’ll start with them and follow up with Democratic candidate Paul Hefty (who runs unopposed) next week. This primary vote, and election as a whole has been dominated by the key phrases of “Pod A” and “hard earned tax dollars”, ad nauseam. For our interviews we “banned” both talking points in hopes to get something fresh. Mr. Meister leads of off by virtue of having been first in with his responses. So without further ado… We’re off!
SC: Number 1. You’re a Republican. Do you think party affiliation matters when it comes to how you do your job as Sheriff?
Chip Meister: No, Law Enforcement should be a non partisan affiliation, similar to Judges. As I state in my pamphlet, I will treat all evenly, fairly and equally no matter what their viewpoint or belief is.
SC: Number 2. There’s plenty of press out there about budgets, spending and “Pod A” so we don’t need to talk about these things here. With those popular talking points put aside, What is the number 1 (non-budgetary) issue facing law enforcement in Sauk County today? Why? And what is your solution?
Chip Meister: The increase in internet crimes, whether it’s identity theft or crimes against children on the internet, and the fraud against our citizens here and nationwide is costing taxpayers millions.
I will make sure our members are well trained in identifying and investigating it, and I want to develop a information program to take to meetings to inform the public on what to watch out for, to prevent them from becoming victims.
SC: Number 3. Welsh Corgi Vs White Labs because?
(Both Chip and Bill Steinhorst posted family pictures including their dogs on their websites.)
Chip Meister: My wife and daughter prefer a Welsh corgi. Although I use Labs for hunting our choice for a house pet is the corgi, this is our second one and their personalities are tremendous.
SC: Number 4. I read that all 3 of you (Candidates for Sauk Co. Sheriff) favor alternatives to jail time, especially when it comes to drug and alcohol issues. Do you think there has been a change in how we perceive drug and alcohol issues from a societal or law enforcement point of view? Did we just go too far during the “3 strikes” era or are we simply forced to look at alternatives due to budgetary concerns?
Chip Meister: I feel that society feels that just locking people up for drugs and alcohol and not giving them any counseling or programs to deal with their problems does not solve the underlying issue. So now we are seeing more deferred prosecutions to offer people to get the help they need with the incentive that their charges are dismissed if they complete the counseling.
SC: Number 5. Given that we’re web/social media focused, I wanted to ask you if you feel there is a role for social media in the Sauk County Sheriff’s department? You probably know that the Reedsburg police department is already making use of Facebook to some success. In what ways do you imagine the sheriff’s department could use social media in the future?
Chip Meister: We currently use NIXLE program, but I think there are great possibilities to help up solve crime with the use of social networks such as facebook. It’s a social tool that is just beginning to be used in Law Enforcement. We have a website that people can email us tips on crimes but we are just beginning to explore the use of other social networks.
SC: Number 6. Would you consider yourself a compassionate individual?
Chip Meister: Yes, being the youngest of 9 children (8 older sisters) I think I’m very compassionate. I deal with families who have lost love ones in accidents, and I do it very well. Having to do these death notifications is a difficult and trying moment in any law enforcement officers life. I have to be a compassionate person in my line of work.
SC: Number 7. Lastly, I want to let you address an endorsement. What’s the deal with the “Sworn and non-sworn employees of the sheriff’s department” endorsing Bill Steinhorst, and according to his website, by some 91%. I know this stuff can be spun anyway someone wishes, so let’s hit it head on.. What should those of us who don’t live and breathe local politics take away from this endorsement?
Chip Meister: We have a total of 168 employees in the Sheriff’s Department, according to Bill, 20-25 attended his meeting with the union members, I refused to attend because I thought it would be a conflict of interest because I sit on a committee of three that represents the county in negotiations trying to resolve contractual issues with the union and we were in the middle of negotiating at the time. (we still are mediating now) My focus is on the public’s vote and I have kept my focus there. In negotiations I have to represent what is in the best interest of the administration so that we can serve the public as well as possible.
SC: Thank you Chip for taking time to answer these questions. I do appreciate it. All the best in the upcoming election.
Just a reminder, tomorrow we will be posting our 7 questions with William Steinhorst who is facing Chip Meister in the Republican primary for Sauk County Sheriff.
Learn More:
* In most cases interviews are conducted by email allowing folks to take as much or as little time considering their responses as they wish. During elections all competing candidates are invited to participate.
** Photograph © Chip Meister for Sheriff.
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Tags: One Response to “7 Questions With Chip Meister”
#1. There are business in the area that the Sheriff’s dept routinely use. Once some of them began supporting Bill Steinhorst, I heard that Chip refuses to use them any more. How fair & equal is that?
#2. As “#2 man” why hasn’t this all ready been done?
#3. A question he could answer on his own!!
#4. People are not locked up for “drugs and alcohol.” They are locked up for crimes they commit, sometimes during the use of drugs and alcohol. They should still be punished for their crimes, AND offered treatment.
#5. Again, why is this not all ready being done? Like he would have time to do this if he were Sheriff?
#6. I worked for the Sheriff’s Dept for 18 years. I was fired in 2006 because I had a very difficult pregnancy and exhausted my medical leave. I was fired 19 days before my FMLA would’ve kicked in for the next year. And never once during my illness did any supervisor from the Sheriff’s Dept call to see how I was doing. How “compassionate” is that?
#7. He needs to serve his employees also, which he does not care about. Employees are not allowed to go to Union meetings during their work hours. The Sheriff’s Dept is very anti union. I can tell you that there are a LOT more than 91% of the entire dept who are NOT voting for Chip!
#8. You should’ve asked him who answered the questions for him!