Meet the Candidates

David Rains for Commissioner, District 2

David Rains, 51, has been a resident of Daviess County for 44 years. He graduated from Gallatin R-5 High School in 1975 and from the University of Missouri in 1979.

He and his wife Julie have been married for 24 years and have three children, Hattie, 20; Riley, 19; and Graydee, 7.

Mr. Rains is a partner with Rains Farms and co-owner of Rains Natural Meats.

He previously served in public office as past president of the Gallatin Fire Protection District for six years.

He is a life-long member of the First Christian Church of Gallatin, where he has served as deacon, vice-chairman, and 2008 board chairman. He has been a member of the Daviess County Fair Board for 20 years; an officer with the Gallatin Men’s Club; a coach for flag football; past MFA board member; board member of Missouri Association of Meat Processors; and board member of National Tamworth Swine.

What are your reasons for running for the position?

"I love Daviess County and cannot see myself living anywhere else. I would like to do my part to help the county prosper. We need to create opportunities to keep people in Daviess County."

Why do you feel you are qualified?

"I am qualified for this position because of my background in agriculture, business and civic organizations. All of these areas will help give me the experience to make sound decisions. I hope to make a difference."

Ronald Tarepin for Commissioner, District 2

Ronald L Tarepin Sr., 54, has been a resident of Daviess County for 24 years. He has two sons, David Tarepin of Lawson and Ronnie Tarepin of Maysville, and two daughters, Sharona Rogers of Maysville and Jennifer Hiley of Winston.

Mr. Tarepin graduated from high school at Excelsior Springs and from AMC Technical School at Lenexa, Kan.

He has worked as a plant engineer for National Aluminum in Independence for 10 years. Currently he owns and operates Tarepin Services, a business that incorporates towing and auto mechanic work, based out of Winston. Mr. Tarepin is currently employed as a part-time Emergency Medical Technician for Community Ambulance District of Daviess County.

He is an ASE Certified auto mechanic and is a Missouri licensed Emergency Medical Technician.

What are your reasons for running for the position?

"After living in Daviess County now for 24 years, I now consider Daviess County to be my home and the citizens to be my family. I spent 16 years on the KAW Fire Department while eight of those years have also been with the Daviess County Community Ambulance District. My dedication to the community is shown through the people I have helped along the way. My highest priority will be to make their county the best that it can be, while utilizing the funds we have in efficient ways, and giving the citizens the attention they deserve."

What are your reasons for running for the position?

"After operating my own business and being chief of the KAW Fire Department, I know how to stay within a budget and still have the equipment to run smoothly and efficiently. Being an EMT on the Daviess County Community Ambulance District allows me to see the needs of the citizens that live within my hometown. As well as the roads and bridges that need repaired, and the special equipment it takes for the sheriff’s department to be more efficient."

Jerry Baldwin for County Sheriff

Jerry Baldwin, 46, has been a resident of Daviess County all of his life. He has raised two daughters and one son in Daviess County. He attended Gallatin High School.

Mr. Baldwin became a certified police officer in 1991 and served with the Gallatin Police Department for several years. In December, 1999, Tom Houghton, who was sheriff at the time, asked Mr. Baldwin to fill a position as deputy sheriff. He accepted the position and also remained deputy under the present sheriff until 2004.

What are your reasons for running for the position?

"I believe the citizens should be able to come to the office or call, and the sheriff be accessible. The sheriff should also be out in the public and get to know the people who he is supposed to be serving and protecting. The budget needs to be looked at very closely, too. I believe too much money is spent in some places it doesn’t need to be. I believe all calls to the sheriff’s department should be answered in a very timely manner, no matter whether the call is serious or not. These are just a very few reasons I am seeking the office of sheriff as the biography is supposed to be short."

Why do you feel you are qualified?

"I feel I am qualified for the position of sheriff because I worked as a Gallatin City Police Officer, Daviess County Deputy and an EMT for Daviess County Community Ambulance Service. I have spent thousands of hours patrolling Daviess County and the city of Gallatin trying to keep the people safe. I have trained and taken many, many classes in law enforcement all over the state of Missouri, too numerous to mention here. I have spent hundreds of hours in civil and circuit court being bailiff and testifying in many cases. I received the Silver Award for Valor in 2004 and also received a resolution from the city of Gallatin in 2000. These are just a few of the reasons I feel I am very qualified to be sheriff. Dedication, honesty, fairness and experience are what the citizens deserve and are what they’ll get if I am elected sheriff."

Ben Becerra for County Sheriff

Ben Becerra, 42, has been a resident of Daviess County for 24 years. He and his wife Hope have been married for 23 years. They have two daughters, Taylor, 16, and Jessi, 7.

Mr. Becerra graduated from Winston High School in 1984. He attended Missouri Western College, Penn Valley College and Oklahoma State Horseshoing School.

Mr. Becerra was a Kansas City Police Officer for seven years and was employed for nine years with the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, with seven years as chief deputy.

Mr. Becerra is the forensic interviewer for North Central Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center in Trenton; a board member of Dream Catchers Equine Assisted Programs; and a member of Lake Viking Church and worship leader.

What are your reasons for running for the position?

"As the former chief deputy of Daviess County Sheriff’s Office I have the desire and compassion to be sheriff. There is a need for change and I would like to make a positive impact on the youth, community, and restore public relations along with protecting and serving the citizens."

Why do you feel you are qualified?

"Having 16 years of experience I am fully qualified. I have numerous certifications, making me able to be sheriff upon being voted into office and as the former chief deputy I am knowledgeable of the administrative functions the sheriff’s office holds. I have the leadership skills to be the new sheriff. For more information go to www.benforsheriff.com."