The office of New Castle County Sheriff has been getting more attention as the recession continues to drive sheriff sales throughout the county to all-time highs.
But the four candidates for the office, speaking at an Aug. 23 candidates forum sponsored by the Greater Hockessin Area Development Association and Community News, disagree on the sheriff’s role in providing assistance to those about to lose their homes, even though the additional sheriff sales generated an extra $2 million in county revenues this year.
Sheriff Michael Walsh, the incumbent running against New Castle County Police Cpl. Trinidad Navarro in the Democratic primary, said the sheriff’s office should stick to its job description – delivering notices – and not branch out into providing support to distressed homeowners.
It would be impossible for the office to offer any extra services without hiring more personnel, Walsh said.
But Navarro argued that an existing employee could be trained as an advocator or ombudsman and all it would take is a staffer who cared about residents facing sheriff sales.
“Let’s face it, these people are losing their homes because they are losing their jobs,” he said.
Republican primary candidates Joseph O’Leary and William Hart also agree that the sheriff can do more than serve papers.
Hart suggested deputies delivering sheriff sale notices leave behind contact information for nonprofit agencies that could help the homeowner turn things around.
The sheriff’s office needs to be even more proactive than leaving information on somebody’s doorstep, O’Leary argued. The office should ensure everything has been done to try and keep someone in their home before the time comes to serve papers, he said.
“Times are tough, but quadrupling sheriff’s sales is something that I believe we can correct,” he said.
