By RYAN SPITZA

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE–The League of Women Voters of Marquette County hosted its second of two candidate forums late Thursday, this one for the position of Marquette County sheriff.

Incumbent sheriff Greg Zyburt is seeking re-election for a second four-year term and is running as a Democrat once again. Republican Joseph Kozub is his challenger.

Zyburt was elected to a first term as sheriff in 2016 after serving 32 years as the chief of police at the Chocolay Township Police Department, with 36 total years of law enforcement experience. Zyburt also serves on the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards being appointed to the commission by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in June 2019.

Kozub has served as a correctional deputy in the Marquette County Jail since June 2016 and earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northern Michigan University in May 2017. Kozub’s family has over 70 years of law enforcement experience.

Thursday’s forum was conducted virtually via Zoom with no live recording or audience due to COVID-19. Video of the forum was made available for public viewing soon after the taping was complete.

Kozub was unable to participate in the forum due to a work conflict, but due to the Marquette County League’s “empty chair” forum policy, the League is permitted to go forward with the event. Forum moderator Jo Foley stated that each candidate was invited to participate in the forum via phone, U.S. mail and email.

For more information on the “empty chair” policy, visit www.lwvmi.org.

Zyburt was permitted one minute for an opening statement, one minute per question and two minutes for a closing statement. Questions were submitted in advance by league and community members.

Below are the first two questions Zyburt responded to during the event.

What do you think are the core functions of the sheriff’s department?

“By statue, the main function of a sheriff’s department is the jail,” Zyburt said. “Everything else is kind of gravy on the meal, and the jail is the main function. “For 36 years, I was a road patrol officer. I was always the one dropping them (the inmates) off. Once I became sheriff, you’re the one taking them in and it just flipped my world.

“The corrections officers are an unsung hero for what they do. It’s a thankless job, but it’s a very important job, and we’re responsible for the well-being of the prisoner in jail. Everything from mental health, their addictions, their physical health and trying to help them while they’re in jail. A lot of these people have never had any type of a mentor or anyone in their life that’s really cared and we really try and help them with their time while in jail.”

What are the skills and experience that make you qualified for this office and your reason for running?

“My skills I think are the 36 years of road patrol,” Zyburt said. “I was also the chief of police for 32 of those 36 out in Chocolay. There’s so many different things. The training, the budgeting, being able to work with our commission, being able to work with other agencies throughout Marquette County and being out there with the people.

“I think it’s so important nowadays to be transparent and be available for the public to contact you. In Chocolay, I developed a rapport with the people where if they needed something, they could call me. Even now, I still get e-messages and phone calls. They want to be anonymous but they trust me, and I’m able to take that complaint and they’re not afraid to make it.”

Other issues Zyburt touched on during the forum were COVID-19 safety within patrols, the jail and community, the impact of marijuana sales in Marquette County, drug abuse crimes, domestic abuse calls, substance use and mental health, gun violence, collaboration with surrounding agencies, increased officer training requirements and concerns with the county jail.

The link to the full 24-minute forum can be found on the Marquette County League’s website at www.lwvmqt.org, the League of Women Voters of Marquette County Facebook page, or on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK63lmLWoFI.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The league never supports or opposes political parties or candidates. The local league welcomes new members. Membership is open to anyone who is 16 or older. For more information, contact Darlene T. Allen at 906-225-9103ordthomsona@gmail.com

Ryan Spitza can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is rspitza@miningjournal.net.