This is part of a series of features on the candidates running for offices in Bourbon County. The Bourbon County Primary Election will be held, Tuesday, August 4, 2020.
Monday, July 20, is the candidate forum at Ellis Fine Arts Center, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a meet and greet with candidates. The forum starts at 6 p.m. in the order of federal, state, then local candidates.
Mike Feagins, 46, is a candidate for Bourbon County Sheriff.
He attended Fort Scott Community College.
“I am running for Bourbon County Sheriff to bring many positive things to the table. As a citizen, I do not want my taxes to continue rising. I want citizens to see patrol vehicles in their areas. I want to establish programs that involve children. Children are our future. I feel strongly that they are educated regarding the proper process of law enforcement. I believe that I have the knowledge, education and experience to be your next sheriff. I want to lead this community in the right direction.”
“I bring with me 18 years of law enforcement experience and well over one thousand hours of continuing education, strictly towards law enforcement. Part of those educational hours are for extensive training in drug interdiction, taser instructor certification, field training officer certification, and many others. I have also obtained many hours for leadership and supervision management and have overseen a reserve deputy training program for many years.”
“My experience ranges from reported threats, domestic situations, battery reports, burglary/theft reports, helping those who have mental health issues, investigating minor to fatality accidents, sex crimes, child abuse cases, battery reports, suicides, attempted murders, murder investigations, just to name a few. I also have experience with upholding laws and developing safety plans within school systems.”
What skills do you bring to the position if elected?
“I will bring honesty, dedication, experience, positive moral, and good ethics to the sheriff’s office. I have been concerned regarding the on-going negative relationship between the sheriff’s department and the Fort Scott Police Department.”
What is your priority on day one?
” I have been concerned regarding the on-going negative relationship between the sheriff’s department and the Fort Scott Police Department,” he said. “My intention, if elected, is to sit down with the Fort Scott Police Chief, discuss the current issues at hand, and develop a remedy for establishing a positive relationship. I believe local agencies need to work together in order to better fight crime and educate citizens regarding any issues that may arise in different jurisdictions. It is also imperative to have a good working relationship with surrounding jurisdictions.”
“The next five years will definitely be a challenge due to restructuring the current budget. If elected, I will immediately need to go over the current budget as well as look into the full year of spending. Things arise unexpectedly, and one should be prepared for them. If elected, I want to be able to make cuts appropriately so I can budget in yearly raises for the deputies.”
“Public leadership experience is something that is demonstrated by every law enforcement officer daily. It is our duty to guide and teach the community based on the situation that we encounter.”
Feagins is a life long resident of Bourbon County.
The following is information provided on the Bourbon County Kansas website.
You may register to vote online, through the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.
Check your voter registration status, the location of your polling place and view a sample ballot at VoterView by the Secretary of State.
Advance Voting is available prior to each election. You may advance vote in one of two ways: By mail, by filing an application for a ballot to be mailed to you OR in-person, beginning at least one week prior to any election.