County constable

A look at the candidates for county constable.

COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1

>> Name: Geoffrey (Jeff) Schwende.

>> Age: 61.

>> How long have you lived in Ector County? I have lived in Odessa 31 years.

>> What office, if any do you hold now? None.

>> Occupation: Associate Professor of Criminal Justice (12 years).

>> Education: Master's of Science (Criminal Justice) Sul Ross State University; Bachelors of Science (Criminal Justice) John Jay College of Criminal Justice; Associate of Applied Science (Legal Assistant) Midland College; Rice High School (N.Y.).

>> Family: I’ve been married to Ellen for 27 years and have two grown daughters, Deidre and Debbie.

>> Why are you seeking this office? I am retired from the Ector County Sheriff’s Office and am presently employed by Odessa College as an associate professor of criminal justice. My police training and experience encompasses 30 years. I seek this office to continue to serve Ector County citizens in a proactive environment and to effectively and efficiently assist local law enforcement agencies in the service of civil and criminal process.

>> What are the issues and where do you stand on them? The issues center around experience, education and proactivity. My 30 years law enforcement experience, including 12 years as a primary instructor at the Odessa College Police Academy, is an asset for the citizens in the service of civil and criminal process.

>> Name: Seven P. Brennan

>> Age: 54

>> How long have you lived in Ector County? Lifelong resident.

>> What office, if any do you hold now? Hold office of constable precinct 1.

>> If you are an office-holder, when were you first elected? First elected 1988.

>> Occupation: Owner Zebra Custom Products 25 years.

>> Education: OHS Class ’72, OC Law Enforcement 1989

>> Family: Single, one son, Christopher Brennan.

>> Why are you seeking this office? To continue providing the highest level of visibility to the public. I currently provide the community with a fully marked patrol car to use in our neighborhoods to deter criminal activity and to keep traffic speeds down in our school zones. I provide security after local sporting events at no cost to the school district. I work weekends after hours to keep DWI violators off the streets. I provide all law enforcement agencies in our area with a 24-hour phone number for any call out to provide assistance to aid in an emergency.

>> What are the issues and where do you stand on them? The constable should know the job. I am now serving my fourth term as Constable of Precinct 1 for 16 years. I know the job, unlike my opponent. I am a lifelong resident of Odessa — I know the people, their children and now their grandchildren. The people know I will treat each and every one of them and their family members as they were my next-door neighbor and with the highest professional respect. My opponent as an outsider does not have the years of experience with dealing with our type situation. The constable is the closest law enforcement officer in the community, and he should not only be visible in the neighborhoods but, more important, understand the people and the situation when he arrives to assist them. My opponent, as an outsider from out of state, should not have full arrest powers over our people.

COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 2

>> Name: John “Ty” Bermea.

>> Age: 21.

>> How long have you lived in Ector County? 2.5 years.

>> What office, if any do you hold now? N/A.

>> If you are an office-holder, when were you first elected? N/A.

>> Occupation: Engineer, 1.5 Years.

>> Education: Midwestern State University, Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Computer Information Systems and Criminal Justice; Odessa College, Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement; Odessa College, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Odessa College, Associate of Applied Science in Management; Kermit High School, Diploma; Texas Peace Officer License, with Intermediate and Instructor Proficiencies.

>> Family: Mandy Bermea, 2 years, no children.

>> Why are you seeking this office?: I intend to utilize my education and previous law enforcement experience to create a working Constable's office in order to fulfill the duties of serving process required by law.

>> What are the issues and where do you stand on them?: I am enthusiastic that I can bring change and actually work for the residents of Ector County by carrying out the duties of the office as well as assisting other law enforcement agencies. With my prior law enforcement and current computer knowledge, I intend to make the Constable's office one that the citizens can be proud of, as I use 21st century processes to make the office the most efficient and professional in the county.

>> Name: David Lewallen.

>> Age: 58.

>> How long have you lived in Ector County? 58 years.

>> What office, if any do you hold now? Constable Precinct 2.

>> If you are an office-holder, when were you first elected? November 2002.

>> Occupation: Executive Vice President Commercial Ice Machine Co. 35 years.

>> Education: Permian High School 1968; courses at Odessa College in business management, Ector County Sheriff's Academy, Odessa College Law Enforcement Academy; Avery Growth Institute; Hank's Flight Center; Currently have 600 continuing education law enforcement hours.

>> Family: Cheryl Lewallen 7 1/2 years; children, James Lewallen teacher at Permian High School, Zachary Enriquez student at UTPB and Sydney Enriquez, student at Odessa College.

>> Why are you seeking this office? : I have been in law enforcement for the past 27 years, 22 of which I was a reserve deputy and the last five as Constable. I enjoy law enforcement, and it’s a way to pay back the community I was born and raised in.

>> What are the issues and where do you stand on them?: Precinct 2 has had several constables over the years who did not stay in office more than a short time. This is an important office with a big responsibility to the county and the people of the county, and I want to continue to fulfill those responsibilities.