Elected Sheriff

H. LeRoy "Monk" Campbell quit after five terms as the elected sheriff of Carroll County in 1982, saying he wanted to retire and do nothing. Some say Campbell, 82, deserved to do nothing after 20 years of being overworked and underpaid. Campbell and Mildred, his wife of 62 years, were virtually married to the old stone jail in Westminster, living above the prisoners housed there. For several years, Mildred cooked three meals a day for an average of eight to 10 inmates, while her husband provided security for the sitting Circuit Court judge by day and guarded the jail by night.

Sheriff Dominick J. Mele and Robert E. Comes are ready to meet one more time at the polls -- but with a twist this time around.In the Sept. 11 Democratic primary, challenger Comes defeated Mele, the incumbent, by more than 4,000 votes.But while Tuesday's ballot won't list Mele's name, the sheriff will have workers at the polls. He's been running an aggressive campaign to get voters to write in his name on the ballot. The effort has been supported by a citizens group called the Countians for Independent Law Enforcement.

Though not known for its contributions to cultural literacy, the Harford County Council adopted the role of the Ancient Mariner last Tuesday: It stoppeth one in three.That was cowardly evasion. If the council members don't get it right the next time, they could end up with an albatross around their collective necks, like the demented wanderer of Coleridge's classic poem.The Magnificent Seven did, after squabbling about whose name should be listed on bills, authorize a public referendum next year on whether to create a county police department under county )

The three Democrats who lost their bids for sheriff in Tuesday's primary election said Harford County voters sent a strong message that they want a change in law enforcement leadership and that the incumbent sheriff didn't get it.Robert E. Comes, the incumbent, won nomination for a second term by collecting 7,638 votes, 37 percent of the Democratic ballots cast, over challengers George W. Cunningham, who got 5,237 votes; E. Dale Zepp, a former deputy, 3,848...

More than two dozen political hopefuls came to Candidates' Night at the First District Democratic Club in Edgewood Monday to introduce themselves to the Democratic masses. But the masses stayed home.The 18 candidates, some accompanied by spouses and campaign workers, outnumbered club members and interested citizens by a ratio of nearly 3-to-1.Although the meeting was sparsely attended, the candidates' remarks indicated that they regard the economic health of the county, the coming referendum on a county police force and managed growth as major issues in the coming election.

Why a 'no' vote on police forceI urge all Harford countians to vote "no" on Question A -- that is, vote against establishment of a Harford County police force.As a former member of the Harford County Council, I have followed the issue closely but have not taken any public stance until now, since any stance on the issue might be misinterpreted as being for or against any particular candidate for office. The question of county police force will be decided by referendum and should stand apart from candidate preference.

Carroll County Sheriff Kenneth L. Tregoning announced yesterday that he will seek a second term, saying he enjoys the job and wants to continue his plans that emphasize coordination with other police agencies. Changes during his four years include: expanding road patrol to a 24-hour operation; expanding the capacity of the county detention center; joining a reconstituted county drug-enforcement task force; improving mutual-aid agreements, including deputizing town police officers; and a central booking unit that he said saves each officer 2 1/2 hours per arrest -the equivalent of having 4 1/2 more officers on county roads.

WASHINGTON -- Two former leaders of the Howard County sheriff's department failed yesterday to get the Supreme Court to hear their constitutional challenge to being fired for imitating Nazis while on the job.Former Major Donald Pruitt and his brother, former Sergeant Dennis Pruitt, the No. 2 and 3 ranking officers in the department, were fired in February 1991 by the then-newly elected sheriff, Michael Chichiolo.While running for the sheriff's post, Mr. Chichiolo criticized the Pruitts for staging parodies of the old TV series, "Hogan's Heroes," in the County Courthouse.

Democrat:Frank L. WeathersbeeAppointed state's attorney, 1988Age 46, lives in AnnapolisRepublican:Timothy D. MurnaneAssistant public defenderAge 37, lives in DavidsonvilleCIRCUIT COURT CLERKDemocrat:H. Erle SchaferElected Circuit Court clerk, 1986Age 52, lives in SevernRepublican:Mary M. RoseChmn., County Central CommitteeAge 44, lives in AnnapolisSHERIFFDemocrat:William R. HugginsElected sheriff, 1962Age 75, lives in Brooklyn ParkRepublican:Robert G. PepersackState police sergeantAge 49, lives in Glen BurnieREGISTER OF WILLSDemocrat:Patricia M. LoCascioRealtorAge 60, lives in AnnapolisRepublican:George M. Nutwell Jr.Elected register of wills, 1986Age 54, lives in AnnapolisORPHANS' COURT JUDGEVote for three)

ANNAPOLIS -- A day after killing a bill that would have allowed retirees elected to county or municipal offices across the state to collect their pensions on top of their salaries, the House yesterday reversed itself.The 86-36 vote came after Delegate James M. Harkins, R-Harford, said Tuesday's defeat of the bill would mean that Harford County's newly elected sheriff, Democrat Robert Comes, would not be able to collect his $12,500-a-year pension from 33 years' law enforcement work on top of his $52,000-a-year salary.