Paradise
Valley Fire Chief Gary Leonard, 56, recently
announced his decision to put his name on the
ballot for Boundary County Sheriff, and he's
launched a website,
http://www.leonard4sheriff.org through which
to gain ideas, contributions and support."I want the community to say they are proud of the Sheriff's Office and to be engaged in crime prevention and emergency services," he writes on his site. "I want all employees to say they are proud of the Sheriff's Office and to look forward to coming to work. I am running for Sheriff because the people of Boundary County deserve a conservative alternative for Sheriff that has the safety and administrative leadership qualities and experience necessary to build on existing and initiate new programs that will involve the entire community in our common goal of safety and security."
Leonard, who moved to Boundary County to accept the position of fire chief around 18 months ago, admits he has no law enforcement experience, though he does have an extensive background in emergency services, both as a firefighter and EMT.
That lack of experience, he contends, gives him the advantage of a citizen's perspective.
Before coming to Boundary County, Leonard served as an officer in the Glorieta Pass Fire District, Sante Fe, New Mexico, and served for a time with Pecos Valley Ambulance. He also worked four seasons as a ski patrolman/EMT. He managed a multi-unit retail business with over 150 employees, and founded a small financial analytical business working with several Fortune 500 companies, including WalMart, K-Mart, Michaels and Albertsons.