By Monty Siekerman
Sheriff Keith Everhart spoke at the weekly Kiwanis Club meeting on Tuesday in McIntosh Center. He said:

1.  Six people died in Hardin County from drug overdoses. He went on to discuss what he believes is the main cause of the drug problem.

2. Killing of law enforcement officers in America is, in most cases, assassination. He went on to give his thoughts about the pressing issue.

3. He called himself a "Hometown Boy" having grown up here. He said he loves the community.

4. The sheriff described his current deputies and staff as his "Dream Team."

Much of his talk, and questions asked by Kiwanians, centered on the drug crisis in America. He said lack of parenting is the biggest problem. Parents grew up using drugs, now so do the kids. He said children need to be raised properly. He commended the DARE program for making a difference.

He said Hardin County doesn't have the drug problem Allen County has because the Allen is now dealing with gang violence.

Where do drugs come from in Hardin County? Crack from Lima, opium and pills from Detroit, marijuana from everywhere.

Calling the shooting deaths of police officers "assassination," Sheriff Everhart said he was very, very concerned about the safety of his officers. He said there is less respect in America for life.

Sheriff Everhart commended the Volunteers in Police Service for buying a drone to help the office. He said the drone is unbelievable in what it can view and is helpful in many ways, such as searching for lost children. The drone will be made available to all police, fire, and emergency agencies in the county.

Local attorney Charles VanDyne introduced the speaker saying that Sheriff Everhart is now treasurer of the Buckeye Sheriff's Association and will work his way through the chairs to become president of the state-wide association in the future. Everhart has been sheriff here for 9 years.

Pictured, from left: Sheriff Keith Everhart, attorney Charles Van Dyne, Kiwanis president Tom Kier.