Rosenow snags sheriff's primary

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PRINCETON — In Tuesday’s only local contested primary race, Sheffield Mayor Bill Rosenow won the Republican Party’s nomination for Bureau County Sheriff, beating out challenger Joe Bertetto by a 1,405 to 1,102 vote.

On Wednesday, Rosenow said he’s honored to have gotten his Republican Party’s nomination for the office of Bureau County Sheriff.

“I’m happy and thrilled, to say the least,” Rosenow said. “To receive someone’s vote means that person puts his trust in you to do the right thing. And I won’t let down the people of Bureau County.”

When asked what he thought gave him the edge in the primary election, Rosenow said he’s known throughout the county and has been serving the public for years.

“People know me. I’m out in the public a lot, and people know that what I tell them today will be the same as what I tell them tomorrow,” Rosenow said. “I think people know I’m a conservative-type guy, and they can trust me to do good with their tax money.”

Looking ahead to November’s general election, Rosenow said he’s going to work to get every registered voter to the polls. It’s important that every voter looks at the candidates and what they stand for, and then make an informed decision, he said.

“It seems we’ve gotten a little complacent as voters in this country, and that’s not right,” Rosenow said. “We need to meet the candidates, ask them questions and then vote.”

When asked what he think will be the big issue in the sheriff’s race, Rosenow said visibility will probably be a big issue. The public wants to see their sheriff and wants to see county deputies and squad cars patrolling the entire county.

Concerning the issue of building a new jail, Rosenow said he believes the better way would be to remodel and revamp the current jail, even if it means housing prisoners outside of the county during the remodeling work. A new jail or new law and justice center would cost megabucks, he said.

On Wednesday morning, Rosenow’s challenger in the primary election, Joe Bertetto, said he’s disappointed in the outcome of the primary, but he congratulates Rosenow on his victory.

Bertetto thanked his wife, Joanne, and all the people who believed in him and still believe in him. He’s met a lot of wonderful people during the campaign and made some life-long friends, he said.

“I want the people of Bureau County to know I’m still an advocate for them. I’m still on the county board, and I’m still on my committees,” Bertetto said. “Looking back on the primary, I know I did my best, and I will continue to do my best.”

In Tuesday’s primary, Rosenow carried 35 of the county’s 50 precincts. Bertetto carried 15.

Rosenow will face incumbent Sheriff John Thompson in November’s general election. Thompson ran unchallenged for the Democratic Party’s nomination in Tuesday’s primary.

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