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Houghton County’s Appointment Committee met Wednesday, revealing seven potential replacements for the open sheriff position. All have prior law enforcement experience, and several have served in the department at one time.
The three member hiring panel consists of Prosecuting Attorney Brittany Bulleit, Probate Judge Fraser Strome, and Clerk Jennifer Kelly. They also agreed to a transparent process. Everyone will be interviewed at a September 8th meeting beginning at 5:30. The order will be randomly determined and each candidate will get the same handful of questions. Bulleit says that is guaranteed no matter how they respond.
The queries include some based off of a framework used by the League of Women Voters. Candidates can expect to answer about their experience running a business or organization, specifically a jail and what knowledge they have of the Houghton County Sheriff’s Department. They’ll be questioned about their ability to balance the books and seek out grant funds. Other topics will include what issue facing the community do they find most concerning and what goal do they specifically want to accomplish.
The list of applicants is as follows: Undersheriff Kevin Coppo, retired State Trooper Steve Laux, who ran in the Republican primary for sheriff last year, Detective Lieutenant Josh Saaranen, who was on the general election ballot for sheriff last year, Special Agent Tami Sleeman of the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, Michigan Tech Police Chief Brian Cadwell, Michigan Tech Police Lieutenant Marc Geborkoff, and former Detective Sergeant Adam Rajala.
If you would like to support a candidate, references are being accepted until September 8th. They should be addressed to Clerk Jennifer Kelly at the Houghton County Courthouse.
[The Detective Lieutenant title has been added to Mr. Saaranen’s description.]
