CHEBOYGAN — All of the candidates for Cheboygan County sheriff in the Aug. 6 primary are Republicans. Voters will select one of them to become the GOP nominee in the November election.
The current sheriff, Tim Cook, is retiring.
Since there are no Democratic Party candidates and unless there is a successful write-in campaign, the Republican winner from the Aug. 6 election will likely take over as county sheriff in January 2025.
William Fitzpatrick, Josh Ginop, Todd Ross and John Studer are running to replace Cook. The Cheboygan Daily Tribune invited all of the candidates to respond to a series of questions selected by the paper, which reserved the right to edit the responses to account for space limitations, proper use of grammar and Associated Press style guidelines.
Three of the candidates responded and below are their responses to the questions presented in alphabetical order based on their last name. Ross did not respond.
More: Cheboygan County Sheriff Tim Cook announces retirement
William Fitzpatrick
Q: Please describe your background (educational achievements, work history and how long you have lived in the area etc.) and if you are an incumbent state how long you have held the position.
A: My education started off by graduating from Petoskey High School and then graduating from the Missouri Auction School as a colonel and auctioneer with a degree in appraisal. I've been a self-made business owner since 1987 with several companies that I've built from the ground up. I worked in law enforcement back in the 1990s. I was a voluntary conservation officer and I have also worked in Clare County as a reserve deputy officer.
Q: Public Act 17 of 2023 requires individuals to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises. Public Act 38 of 2023 enables Michigan judges to issue an "extreme risk protection order" to remove guns from someone deemed to pose a risk of serious harm to themselves or others. If elected, will you enforce these laws?
A: I will uphold all of the laws to the fullest of my ability. I would not be doing the job I was elected to do if I pick and choose the laws I want to enforce.
Q: If elected what will be the first thing you will work on at the sheriff's department?
A: First thing I would change is to let everyone know that all are created equal and all people need to be treated with respect no matter their race, color, background, or if someone has an arrest record. Public relations is going to be my key by making sure that the public is heard. There will be no more business as usual. I want to keep the community safe by being more involved in the community. I want to bring back respect for law enforcement by making people in our community number one, not law enforcement, and making people feel comfortable talking to law enforcement without feeling like they are the ones who are in trouble.
Josh Ginop
Q: Please describe your background (educational achievements, work history and how long you have lived in the area etc.) and if you are an incumbent state how long you have held the position.
A: I have been a Northern Michigan resident my entire life. I have an associate degree in law enforcement and have been with the Cheboygan County Sheriff Department for 15 years. I am a graduate of the Kirtland Regional Police Academy receiving the MCOLES award for top graduate in the class.
My career in law enforcement started in 2008 as a police officer with the Tuscarora Township department in Indian River. I then started my time at the Cheboygan County Sheriff Department holding the positions of marina deputy, corrections officer, deputy, sergeant, lieutenant and am currently the undersheriff overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department. I am also a past member of the Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement Team.
I am a graduate of the FBI Law Enforcement Leadership Executive Developmental Association with an emphasis on executive management, finance, leadership and professional development in law enforcement. I am active in training with the department and currently I am a firearms instructor, dive-team member and lead active shooter instructor. I focus on education, training and safety for the schools and businesses in the county. I am certified in incident command having had extensive training at state and federal levels. I am also a member of the 53rd Circuit Court Recovery Program.
Q: Public Act 17 of 2023 requires individuals to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises. Public Act 38 of 2023 enables Michigan judges to issue an "extreme risk protection order" to remove guns from someone deemed to pose a risk of serious harm to themselves or others. If elected, will you enforce these laws?
A: As your next sheriff my job will be to service and protect the citizens of Cheboygan County. In doing so, I will be mindful of everyone's rights under the Constitution of the U.S. and the state of Michigan. With that being said, a sheriff's job is not to pick and choose what laws to uphold nor is it to subjectively interpret the Constitution. My job will be to enforce the laws equally and fairly and work with the courts to ensure the safety of the deputies and citizens we serve.
Q: If elected what will be the first thing you will work on at the sheriff's department?
A: I will be working with the school districts in the county to continue our working relationship on the safety of our students and school staff. I will be forming a committee with local and county stakeholders to look at how to enhance school safety and security with additional security measures and school resource officers.
I will also be researching body cameras which will help with the safety of deputies and also assist in providing accurate evidence to the courts. To effectively investigate evolving cyber-crimes, I will ensure my deputies receive the latest training and stay up-to-date on technological advancements.
These will be part of strategic planning. This does require appropriate research so the goals and objectives can be met. Part of that is financing and as your next sheriff, safety combined with fiscal responsibility is always at the forefront. Proper research into funding is paramount and this includes grant research and funding streams that we can bring to the county from state and federal resources.
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John Studer
Q: Please describe your background (educational achievements, work history and how long you have lived in the area etc.) and if you are an incumbent state how long you have held the position.
A: I graduated from Inland Lakes High School in 1988 and went directly into the United States Marine Corps for the next four years as an aviation electrician. I returned home to work in the oil fields, did some truck driving, and equipment operating for a few years before going into business with my father. We opened Studer's gun refinishing and sporting goods store in Indian River in 1994. We closed in 2001 due to my father's failing health.
I took a sales job for an outdoor online magazine for the next 20 years. I also started a rock shop in 2008. For the last 16 years my shop has been manufacturing seven types of Michigan stone beads that fit the top three bracelet brands, as well as a full line of Michigan stone jewelry. I also developed and marketed an all natural skin care product that I took to market the summer of the pandemic. Prior to the shut down, I had over 80 stores in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois that were purchasing my product. After I had 20.
I got involved locally after the election as I could no longer just complain about the insanity that was attacking us. I started attending county commissioner meetings, township meetings and Republican party meetings. I became a precinct delegate, the membership chair for the county Republican Party and was elected to the 37th Senate Executive Committee. I was also appointed to the Cheboygan County Planning and Zoning Board and the Cheboygan County Soil Conservation District Board.
I have been encouraged for over a year now to run for sheriff. Since then, I have educated myself on leadership of the current sheriff's department. Knowing what I do now, I know that the department is in desperate need of someone with morals and integrity to lead them.
Q: Public Act 17 of 2023 requires individuals to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises. Public Act 38 of 2023 enables Michigan judges to issue an "extreme risk protection order" to remove guns from someone deemed to pose a risk of serious harm to themselves or others. If elected, will you enforce these laws?
A: Public Act 17 of 2023: I would support common sense gun laws. A locked up firearm does no one any good, especially in high stress moments. Guns should be stored out of reach of minor children. I would not enforce this law because it does violate our constitutional rights.
Public Act 38 of 2023: I would never support taking anyone's guns without an investigation and solid evidence that the person is an actual threat to themselves or society. Both of those are examples of poor legislation and the U.S. Constitution is quite clear.
Q: If elected what will be the first thing you will work on at the sheriff's department?
A: If elected I would explore the best uses of Cheboygan County taxpayer funds for public safety. I would rework the budget, and find a way of getting resource officers in all the schools. If funds are not available, I will work with the Veterans Administration on having vetted veterans as temporary resource officers. There needs to be a presence of protection surrounding our children. The oath I took 35 years ago was to the U.S. Constitution and that only expires with me.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com .
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Sheriff candidates discuss background, state gun laws
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