Over the next several weeks leading up to Election Day on November 6, 2018, the Fillmore County Journal will provide candidates in contested races in our coverage area an opportunity to answer questions that we hope will be of value to voters. On today’s front page, we are presenting two candidates running for Fillmore County Sheriff. Both Captain John De George and Sheriff Tom Kaase were presented with the same questions with a 100 word count limit per answer. 

– Jason Sethre, Publisher of Fillmore County Journal

John DeGeorge

First, tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a lifelong resident of Fillmore County. I graduated from Rushford-Peterson High School in 1995. I graduated from the Law Enforcement program at Alexandria Technical College in 1997. My wife Jen and I have been together since high school, and we have two children. Our daughter Dana is in seventh grade, our son Grant is in fourth grade.

We have lived on my wife’s family farm in Norway Township for the last 15 years and are members of the Highland Prairie Lutheran Church. I have worked for the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office for 21 years in a variety of roles.

Why are you running for the position of Fillmore County Sheriff?

Two circumstances needed to exist. First, I had to be ready for the opportunity and confident that I would be successful. Not simply ready and confident that I could win an election, but looking beyond the election knowing that I was prepared to be a good sheriff. It’s important to have a vision of leadership beyond simply winning an election in order to be prepared for the challenges ahead.

The second circumstance that had to exist was the need for a change in the sheriff’s position, and confidence that I could work respectfully and positively to promote that change.

What experience do you bring to this position?

I have worked for the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office for the last 21 years. I started as a Deputy in 1997. In 2000 I was promoted to investigator and assigned to the Narcotics and Gang Task Force where I worked undercover for five years. In 2005 I was promoted to patrol sergeant where I supervised our Patrol Division for three years until 2008 when I was promoted to captain, the position that I currently hold with the Sheriff’s Office. As captain I have been third in command of our office and the lead investigator for over 10 years.

In the future, what do you feel will be the biggest challenges facing Fillmore County with respect to law enforcement?

Drug use will continue to be one of our major challenges. Drugs are a factor in much of the crime in Fillmore County as in most communities in our country. We need to do more on the front end of the problem by educating the public through crime prevention programs.

Technology will also be a challenge in law enforcement as we move into the future. Technology plays a role in every aspect of law enforcement. It’s crucial that our leadership understands technology and how we can implement it at a minimal cost, yet still be effective and efficient.

How can you help the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department improve if you are elected to this position?

I will efficiently and conservatively manage our limited budget, and work responsibly within the budget to ensure that those resources are used in a way that makes sense for Fillmore County.

I will work to establish a better and more open connection with the public to take ownership in the issues that our community faces. This will enable us to better identify the issues facing our communities, and proactively offer solutions to deal with those issues. I will implement a crime prevention program headed by our Investigations Division at no additional cost to the public.

What is your philosophy on transparency, proactivity, and accessibility in your communications with local media for the sake of relaying information to the public?

Law enforcement and the local media should operate in a partnership based on trust and cooperation. The local media is the resource that our citizens look to for answers when an important issue is in front of the county board, or a major incident occurs within the county.

It’s the sheriff’s responsibility to ensure that trusting relationship is fostered through accessibility and honesty. Even when the sheriff is prohibited from releasing details of an incident due to an active investigation or other legal issues, an explanation of the reasoning for that is an important part of maintaining the public trust.

How will you maintain good communications and relations with the County Commissioners?

Very simply through trust, honesty, and cooperation. I have developed trust and a good working relationship with all five of our county commissioners throughout our careers with Fillmore County. This is the first step in establishing and maintaining those relationships.

I will work with the County Board by being honest and transparent and keeping them informed during the decision making process. No one likes being surprised, especially when dealing with major budget issues affecting the taxpayers. We are all elected officials and we need to work together to maintain the public trust.

Who was the best boss you ever worked for and why?

Retired Sheriff Daryl Jensen. I learned a great deal from Daryl, and we have stayed in touch since he retired four years ago. Daryl was our captain when I was hired. His gift for communication allowed him to build trust with people in a way that still benefits the sheriff’s office to this day. Daryl has encouraged me to run for sheriff for many years and has been very supportive throughout this campaign.

Although we are different people and I will take my own path, Daryl set a wonderful example of what a sheriff should be to their community.

What makes a great leader?

Simply put, I believe that it starts with good character, and the confidence to know that it’s ok to be wrong. It’s crucial to listen to the people around you who will disagree with you when necessary, and support you when you do the right thing.

A good leader recognizes that cooperation and honesty are paramount to building and maintaining trust with the people in their lives. Disagreement and debate are a healthy part of good decision making. A good leader never leaves the room and has people wondering what they’re really up to.

Tom Kaase

First, tell us a little about yourself.

I’m very fortunate and proud to be a husband of 36 years to Dorle Grindland Kaase, a father to Kaine Kaase and a grandfather to Payton Kaase. I’ve been a continuous resident of Fillmore County for 55 years. I am very proud I have been able to serve in law enforcement the past 34 years. I am a dedicated public servant, serving as a police officer, school board member, county commissioner, and currently as your sheriff. I care deeply for our county.

Why are you running for the position of Fillmore County Sheriff?

I’m seeking re-election as your sheriff because of what we have accomplished in the last 3 ½ years and what we can accomplish in the next term. We’ve made great strides that I’m proud of for our office. I’ve never been satisfied with the “status quo” and look forward to doing so much more. Being your sheriff has been my career highlight and I would be honored to continue to lead our office in the positive direction that I have been doing. I believe our county needs a strong sheriff with a proven leadership, proven experience and I’m that sheriff.

What experience do you bring to this position?

I bring unmatched experience. Thirty-four years of law enforcement experience to include: dispatcher/jailer, deputy, DARE officer, investigator,  SWAT leader, sergeant (Fillmore County), patrolman, Community Policing officer, Undercover Narcotics Investigator/Drug & Gang Task Force member, sergeant and lieutenant shift commander (Rochester Police). I served on the Kingsland School Board for nine years. I’ve served as Fillmore County Commissioner for six years. I received the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Supervisory Certification. I am a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Quantico, Va. Lastly and most importantly, I have worked hard as your sheriff for the past threeyears and eight months! 

In the future, what do you feel will be the biggest challenges facing Fillmore County with respect to law enforcement?

Our jail status. Technology costs. Retention and recruitment of qualified employees. With the age of our jail and the scrutiny of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, major decisions will have to be made in the near future. Do we build/renovate or are we told to close it down, resulting in prisoners housed elsewhere? Unfortunately, if only the financial impact is looked at, I believe the decision will lean towards closure. I will continue to look for grant funding to help offset costs of new technology. With interest in law enforcement declining, we need to hire the right employees. 

How can you help the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department improve if you are elected to this position?

I believe I can help the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office continue to improve in a number of ways. From day one of my term I have continually looked at what and how we can do better, for the betterment of the citizens of our county. Recognizing that this cannot be done only by me, I have turned to my staff and given this as an expectation. I have also turned to non-law enforcement entities for partnerships in delivery of services. Through these partnerships, there can be so much more to offer and achieve than by going it alone. 

What is your philosophy on transparency, proactivity, and accessibility in your communications with local media for the sake of relaying information to the public?

I have always worked hard on having good working relationships with our media. I’ve been transparent with information given, but unfortunately the sensitivity of the case or status of the investigation does not allow everything to be given out that the media may wish for. With this information, I’m also sensitive to the emotional aspects of the family or victims of who’s involved. I’ve been very proactive on getting information and story ideas out to our media. With accessibility, not only do the media have my email, an open-door policy, but they’ve had my personal cell number from day one!

How will you maintain good communications and relations with the County Commissioners?

I believe the answer to this question comes from communications, with understanding of each other’s roles. I personally served as a commissioner for sixy ears with three members of the board and nine years as a school board member with another. Personal and professional friendships have been made, which can add to the understanding of how everyone works. When I bring an item to the board for consideration and approval, it’s for the reason that I believe is in the best interest of our office’s service to the citizens of Fillmore County.  Like in anything, I strive to do better.

Who was the best boss you ever worked for and why?

The late Vern Dahl, who along with his wife Shirley, who owned Dahl’s IGA in Preston. Vern hired me at 14 years old as a carryout boy. Through the 11 years I worked for him, he mentored, trained and instilled in me a strong work ethic. He helped me develop a business sense that allowed me greater opportunities and responsibilities in the operation of the store (and our sheriff’s office). In the last few years of my employment there, I was entrusted with the responsibility of store manager. Vern was a “stickler” for “customer service,” a value I hold today.

What makes a great leader?

Leadership, described by John C. Maxwell, is “a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” I’ve had the honor and privilege of working for a number of great leaders: sheriffs, police chiefs, and businessmen. Although each had uniqueness in their own way, they all had many commonalities. The similarities I’ve observed have been a passion for their vocation; their passion for those they serve; their passion for those they serve with and the desire for the staff to be part of the successes; and most of all, their passion to do the right thing.