SANDERS COUNTY – The year 2014 is sure to bring change to Sanders County, perhaps most notably with the community leaders.

Sheriff Tom Rummel is anxiously anticipating the upcoming year and the new additions to the Sheriff’s Department.

“I am looking forward to the new year providing Sanders County citizens with the protection they deserve,” he said.

The Sheriff’s Department will soon be better equipped to protect and serve due to grants they have received from the state. The grant is meant to specifically address the DUI problem by increasing efficiency and enabling more patrol time.

The Sheriff’s Department has received two new patrol vehicles. These vehicles are supposed to get better gas mileage potentially saving up to $2500 in fuel each year. According to Sheriff Rummel, saving that money is very important especially in this day and age.

The more vehicles at the Sheriff’s Department’s disposal, the more deputies can be out patrolling and ensuring the county’s safety.

“We are pursuing a grant for more patrol vehicles and that [the grant] will take a load off our budget,” Sheriff Rummel said.

In addition to new patrol vehicles, the Sheriff’s Department is receiving a new computer system this year. This new software system is supposed to be less costly and more user-friendly.

“With this system we may be able to incorporate laptop computers in patrol vehicles,” Sheriff Rummel said. “Officers can do reports in their vehicles which means less time in the office and more patrol time.”

The new system enables more officers to be out on the streets instead of in the office. This is done with everyone’s safety in mind.

“There will be an extra man out there Friday and Saturday nights just focusing strictly on traffic enforcement, taillights, speed, etc,” Sheriff Rummel said.

This will allow the officers to be more proactive and, according to Sheriff Rummel, will help keep the number of fatalities down in the county which has been a problem in the past.

The presence of the officers will help to dissuade any dangerous drivers.

“If people know that someone is watching word spreads fast and people start thinking,” Sheriff Rummel said.

Sheriff Rummel plans to run for re-election this year.

The year 2014 is going to be the year of elections according to Carol Brooker of the Commissioners Office.

The county treasurer, attorney, commissioner, justice of the peace, sheriff and others will all be running for re-election this year.

“Election season is going to be wild,” Brooker said.

This year is predicted to prove difficult for the Sanders County Commissioners Office, with financial problems being the number one concern.

“There are going to be a lot of challenges for the local government to make ends meet and to continue to provide services for the community,” Brooker said. “It is going to be a year of challenges.”

This upcoming year may be full of hardship, but it will also be full of good things both old and new.

A new year for the 4-H program means the continuation of the long and healthy tradition of active members. It also means a new year of older members teaching the younger members which, according to Livestock Committee member John Halpop, never goes out of style.

Something the 4-H program has to look forward to this year is a new software program.

“This software program is supposed to be more efficient,” Halpop said. “It will involve the leaders more and gives them a sense of ownership over the program. They will be more directly engaged.”

The beginning of the year marks the livestock ear-tagging season, an important time for the 4-H Livestock Committee members. The identifying tags will come into play later this year at the fair.

Halpop is anxiously awaiting the year 2014.

“I am looking forward to another great year with all the community support,” he said.