The two candidates for Gloucester Sheriff and the lone candidate for the Gloucester County School Board had the opportunity to speak publicly during a forum sponsored by the Middle Peninsula League of Voters last Thursday night.

Incumbent sheriff and Republican nominee Darrell Warren, independent candidate for sheriff Clarence Bowser and York Magisterial District school board member Carla Hook addressed the sparsely attended forum held at the Gloucester Library on Main Street. All three will be on the Nov. 6 ballot.

In his remarks, Warren said his office "must be proactive and develop partnerships with residents and businesses" in order to combat crime in the community.

Warren also noted that drug arrests by Gloucester Sheriff’s deputies had quadrupled since he took over the office in February, when former Gloucester Sheriff Steve Gentry unexpectedly resigned one month into his second term. Warren was Gentry’s chief deputy and as such became sheriff when Gentry vacated the post.

Bowser, making his fourth run for sheriff, said "there must be a union of individuals for a common purpose of freedom, justice and liberty" and said the sheriff "must protect you from injustices. We cannot allow the mistreatment of anyone."

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