FIGHTING DRUGS CANDIDATES' TOP PRIORITY

Candidate Profiles: Muhlenberg Co. Sheriff

The two men seeking the Democratic nod for Muhlenberg County sheriff agree
that getting rid of drugs is the top priority for the office.

Jerry Mayhugh of Central City, who has been sheriff since 1993, and Jeffery
Keeton of Greenville, a former deputy sheriff, say they want to tackle the
county's problem with drugs, particularly methamphetamine.

Mayhugh is seeking his third term.

"This time, I don't mind telling you I'm running on my record," he said.
Mayhugh said his office has stepped up such efforts and has increased meth-
and marijuana-eradication training for deputies.

Those efforts have also had an indirect benefit for the office. Mayhugh
said he bought three laptop computers and three digital cameras with
confiscated drug money.

"We've got to turn to technology to keep up with the times," said Mayhugh,
who noted that patrol cars had no blue lights and few handcuffs when he
took office.

Mayhugh hopes to use computers to improve efficiency by linking his office
with the Muhlenberg County Central Dispatch and the circuit and district
courts.

Mayhugh also wants to get more training in using computers for the office's
court service duties.

Keeton, 38, said Muhlenberg County ranks among the state's worst in terms
of drugs.

"I'd like to change that," he said.

Keeton wants to have a deputy in various schools three or four times a week
and wants to use a drug-sniffing dog to do weekly inspections in the high
and middle schools.

The reason for the emphasis on schools is because parents have said their
children are offered drugs there, said Keeton, who has a daughter about to
start high school.

Keeton said there needs to be more cooperation between the sheriff's
department and other agencies, such as the Kentucky State Police.

"Everybody's got to work together," he said. "Getting drugs is the main thing."

Keeton, a former policeman in Pioneer Village near Shepherdsville in the
late 1980s, was a sheriff's deputy for about 31/2 years, all but the first
under Mayhugh.

Keeton, who owns Hidden Valley Auto Sales & Body Shop in Luzerne, left the
sheriff's department in 1995. Keeton said he left because he and Mayhugh
"just couldn't see eye to eye"; Mayhugh said Keeton wanted to pursue
business efforts.

Name: Jerry Mayhugh

Address: 101 Mayhugh Lane, Central City

Age: 56

Family: Wife, Carol Ann; daughters, Kim Oliver and Kelli Rose

Previous office: Sheriff since 1993

Name: Jeffery Keeton

Address: 132 Raymer Massey Lane, Greenville

Age: 38

Family: Wife Terry; daughter Bridget

Previous office: None