I've read numerous posts regarding dissatisfaction with the Sheriff's department. For the first time in twenty years we're going to get a new Sheriff and there are four republicans vieing for the office in just one month. I'd be interested in hearing what others think. Aside from I know so and so and he's a good guy... what about the various candidate's actual platforms? Who do you think is most capable? What do you think we need from them and who's likely to supply it? With the second largest agency (not counting BOE) in county government, just behind the Highway's dept. this should be an important issue to the voters.
Washington County politics has long been more about familiarity than ability, as is typical in most small communities. Is the influx of new residents going to change this or is "club politik'n" going to remain important?
Full Version: How about the Sheriff race????
Personally I'd like to see some new blood in there. But alas, I fear we are going to be stuck with the same old, same old. The good ole boys, aka Masons, I fear will win this election.
I'm still evaluating the contestants. BTW, why does every retired maryland state police officer think they can jump in and run a large department? (rhetorical but sarcastic comment)
As far as platforms? Have any of the candidates running for any office put forth a platform?
I'm still evaluating the contestants. BTW, why does every retired maryland state police officer think they can jump in and run a large department? (rhetorical but sarcastic comment)
As far as platforms? Have any of the candidates running for any office put forth a platform?
QUOTE (Yossarian @ Aug 6 2006, 11:20 AM) 
As far as platforms? Have any of the candidates running for any office put forth a platform?
Good question! It would be nice to have a reason for voting for one over the other. Anything would be better than playing "eeny, meeny, miney, moe"!
As tough as it is for me to accept... I agree with both of you! Especially the part about being a retired line staff State trooper somehow qualifying ANYONE to run a thirteen million dollar operation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
"...As far as platforms? Have any of the candidates running for any office put forth a platform?"
If its any help at all - from what I've read in their literature and the (very, very) little I've heard any of them say, I've gathered that
Poffenberger is very proud of his career as a State Trooper and the fact that he was the first to reach the site of the Washington snipers when the call went out (which leaves me questioning why he's quitting?) and he seems to think we need to spend a lot of money to prepare for attack by international terrorists and have a lot of K-9's. Aside from that he does seem to be "a nice guy" for whatever that' worth. He does have law enforcement experience but I can't seem to see anything that would qualify him as the chief administrator of an agency with a budget of thirteen million (tax) dollars.
Sieler likewise is very proud of his MSP career and to his credit has operated an independent business for many years. At least this gives him some experience in seeing the money going out matches that coming in but whether he can transition from a few employees to hundreds and thousands of dollars to millions seems like a gamble to me. He to though, seems like "a nice guy."
Blair has hands on experience in every facet of the Sheriff department and successful business experience although his to is of a much, much smaller nature than the department he'd run. The least known perhaps of the candidates, I found his literature and bio the most impressive of the republicans - maybe he just has a good publicist? Also "a nice guy."
Galley has extensive experience in corrections - the largest segment of the Sheriff's department operation by far and something lacking in both the ex-troopers - and he has considerable experience in juggling multi-million dollar (tax funded) budgets as well as hundreds of (public) employees. He does lack law enforcement experience although as a friend pointed out, if the present sheriff can defer operation of the jail to someone else what's the difference in delegating operation of the police branch? I had to agree. Most inviting though is that he has experience running this sort of big government agency and will not require as much "learning time" to get up to speed. Anyone I've talked to who knows Galley likes him - "a nice guy."
That's all the GOP candidates. Mullendore, the lone democrat has essentially been running the department for a year or so I'm told giving him experience in operations and administration. He's worked their most of his life coming up through the ranks so also should have a handle on the whole operation. , His vision for the department is encouraging, much of it is already in the works thanks to his present position. He to of course is "a nice guy."
Soooooooo... it'd really be nice if there would be some forum or debate featuring all four republicans at least before the primary. Not sure if the LWV has set one or not. Even so we're still likely to end up with the one the most people think is "the nicest guy" instead of the most qualified!
If its any help at all - from what I've read in their literature and the (very, very) little I've heard any of them say, I've gathered that
Poffenberger is very proud of his career as a State Trooper and the fact that he was the first to reach the site of the Washington snipers when the call went out (which leaves me questioning why he's quitting?) and he seems to think we need to spend a lot of money to prepare for attack by international terrorists and have a lot of K-9's. Aside from that he does seem to be "a nice guy" for whatever that' worth. He does have law enforcement experience but I can't seem to see anything that would qualify him as the chief administrator of an agency with a budget of thirteen million (tax) dollars.
Sieler likewise is very proud of his MSP career and to his credit has operated an independent business for many years. At least this gives him some experience in seeing the money going out matches that coming in but whether he can transition from a few employees to hundreds and thousands of dollars to millions seems like a gamble to me. He to though, seems like "a nice guy."
Blair has hands on experience in every facet of the Sheriff department and successful business experience although his to is of a much, much smaller nature than the department he'd run. The least known perhaps of the candidates, I found his literature and bio the most impressive of the republicans - maybe he just has a good publicist? Also "a nice guy."
Galley has extensive experience in corrections - the largest segment of the Sheriff's department operation by far and something lacking in both the ex-troopers - and he has considerable experience in juggling multi-million dollar (tax funded) budgets as well as hundreds of (public) employees. He does lack law enforcement experience although as a friend pointed out, if the present sheriff can defer operation of the jail to someone else what's the difference in delegating operation of the police branch? I had to agree. Most inviting though is that he has experience running this sort of big government agency and will not require as much "learning time" to get up to speed. Anyone I've talked to who knows Galley likes him - "a nice guy."
That's all the GOP candidates. Mullendore, the lone democrat has essentially been running the department for a year or so I'm told giving him experience in operations and administration. He's worked their most of his life coming up through the ranks so also should have a handle on the whole operation. , His vision for the department is encouraging, much of it is already in the works thanks to his present position. He to of course is "a nice guy."
Soooooooo... it'd really be nice if there would be some forum or debate featuring all four republicans at least before the primary. Not sure if the LWV has set one or not. Even so we're still likely to end up with the one the most people think is "the nicest guy" instead of the most qualified!
Thanks, but that doesn't help us with the washington county races.
So Aldo's obviously voting for Galley. Mullendore sounds to me like a shoe-in based on his experience: but why oh why did he have to go for the Democrat side of the ticket? He may still get my vote after all, but it will surely leave a bad taste in my mouth, voting Democrat. I'm going to have to read more before I can make that kind of decision...
I like Mullendore. He has been running the dept for over a year and he has the experience in the day to day operations. Plus, you'll like this B, he believes that the city and county can work more closely together. I have been dealing with him on several issues, Gang Awareness, Central Booking, NTF..etc.
I beleive him to be capable and yes, a nice guy.
I beleive him to be capable and yes, a nice guy.
I'm guessing the guy went with the 'rats because he's hoping to win the liberal Hagerstownian vote. But for anyone who's reasonably happy with the way he has been running the dep't now, who aren't really interested in too much change anyway, it would seem he's the logical choice.
One thing's for sure: we need to know more about the candidates.
One thing's for sure: we need to know more about the candidates.
"So Aldo's obviously voting for Galley..."
Unless you know something I've yet to discover, I haven't decided who to vote for in the primary yet - yes, I am a republican.
Save some earth shattering event I will also probably cross over in the general election and vote for Mullendore. While he's been "running the show" he still must have the approval of Mades. I've heard the man speak and if he follows through with his vision for the department it definitely will not be the same as it is!
As far as the GOP candidates... As I said, I haven't decided but yeah I guess I do find Galley the best qualified in regard to experience with the size of operation. I also kind of like the idea of him having a better handle on the main part of the department - corrections - a facet that all to many constituents never think of.
Unless you know something I've yet to discover, I haven't decided who to vote for in the primary yet - yes, I am a republican.
Save some earth shattering event I will also probably cross over in the general election and vote for Mullendore. While he's been "running the show" he still must have the approval of Mades. I've heard the man speak and if he follows through with his vision for the department it definitely will not be the same as it is!
As far as the GOP candidates... As I said, I haven't decided but yeah I guess I do find Galley the best qualified in regard to experience with the size of operation. I also kind of like the idea of him having a better handle on the main part of the department - corrections - a facet that all to many constituents never think of.
Thursday,August 17th from 7-9pm, at the Kepler Theatre(at Hag, Com. Coll)
There will be a Candidates Forum held. Candidates running for Sheriff,Office of the States Attorney,Delegate2C, and the Wash. Co. BOE
The ad was in yesterday's paper,on A12.
There will be a Candidates Forum held. Candidates running for Sheriff,Office of the States Attorney,Delegate2C, and the Wash. Co. BOE
The ad was in yesterday's paper,on A12.
Do any of the guys' campaigns have web sites?
Thanks for the Infor
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