Newly elected sheriff ready to serve Kent County

By Craig Anderson
Posted 11/9/22

DOVER - In less than two months, Norman Barlow will commence his quest to help even more folks.

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Newly elected sheriff ready to serve Kent County

Posted

DOVER — In less than two months, Norman Barlow will begin his quest to help even more folks.

Kent County’s newly elected sheriff said he can’t wait to settle into the office. He’ll be sworn into office in Jan. 3 during a ceremony at the Kent County Levy Court administrative building.

“I ran for sheriff to help people,” he said. “I’ve been a public servant for 30 years and I believe that’s my calling, it’s what I do.”

In the election finalized Tuesday, Mr. Barlow, a Republican, bested incumbent sheriff Brian Lewis, a Democrat, by a 55.3% to 44.73% margin. Nonpartisan candidate Aarika Nelson received 1.98% of the vote.

Mr. Barlow, 51, was once Harrington’s police chief and public works supervisor, and currently its city manager. He plans to remain the city manager, but said he would evaluate options if both that and the sheriff’s job duties become too burdensome.

“I love Harrington and I love Kent County,” he said. “Whatever decision I made would be in the best interests of my family.”

However, Mr. Barlow has no intention of leaving either position. He pointed to his time spent in serving as police chief and town manager at the same time, and believes he’s fit to handle both.

“I’m going to keep working hard for the city and I’m going to work hard for the county when I start,” he said.

“I was able to be police chief and I was able to be town manager. I’ve done them both and didn’t have an issue. So I’m looking forward to the opportunity to show what I can do as sheriff.”

And when he reports for duty and meets the seven other staff members, “The biggest thing I want to do is get in there and learn about my people. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. I want to talk to them to see what they want to say,” he said.

“I want to work with the (Levy Court) commissioners, work with the county citizens and work off of that. I don’t know if we’re going to make big changes because what’s happening now may be the best way to do it.

“Really, I want to go in there and see what we need to do to make a difference.”

Mr. Barlow had never run for an office before.

“I’m just elated,” he said. “I’m happy. I’m just blessed and thank the people for coming out to vote and for believing in me.

“I thank all my volunteers, my family, my friends and everybody who had to trust in me to do a good job. I can’t wait to prove myself.”

According to the county on its website, “The function of the Sheriff’s Office is to service the citizens of Kent County by performing many functions for the state of Delaware courts (Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, U.S. District Court and the Court of Chancery).

“The Sheriff’s Office serves legal notices to include (subpoenas, levies, summons, etc.) Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office auctions real estate in accordance with the Delaware Code.”

According to Mr. Barlow, he’d like to raise the office’s public profile since “a lot of people don’t even know there is a sheriff’s office in Kent County.

“I want the public to realize who we are and the services that the office can provide to people,” he said.

 

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