1. Pudgy will be a rollin' over in his grave, but I think Tom Greene is the man for this job.

While I like Lovick, I really want him in the house.

I was (peacefully and with permits) doing an educational protest in front of the SnoCo. Courthouse a couple of weeks ago. We had the Crispe bus www.crispe.org, up from San Diego, and I noticed Tom admiring it. I walked up, introduced myself, and he said"yeah, I know who you are". I inquired if it was from Rob McKenna's roadshow a couple of years ago, and he said no, "from the blogs", and went on to say, "I did not say it was 80 cents to make a public records copy, I said it was EIGHTY-SIX cents.

Now, I respect a guy with big brass ones, who is not afraid to swing 'em around when he believes in his position. After about 10 minutes of his seeming distrust, we ended up at his suggestion going to have lunch.

This guy is kinda like a Toby Nixon. The kind of guy who is open, honest, knows how to get stuff done, and is a realist, full of more light than heat.

Needless to say, I wholeheartedly endorse Tom Greene. He is the reasonable, rational kind of guy we need in the office.

As to the 86 cents per page, since Detective Larry "Fatboy" Cole came out and was taking pictures with his duty camera (against policy, since he said he was "just taking pix, not an investigation") I made a records requests for those pictures. Even though on a memory card, they wanted to print them out for me, and dead-tree them to me.

Yeah, Chief Greene still needs to get out the big can of whoopass to get some of his troops in line, but I still like the guy.

The Geezer

Posted by: The Geezer on July 22, 2007 07:22 PM

2. Greene is a very good man who will not make it past the primary.

Posted by: Stanwood Sage on July 22, 2007 08:52 PM

3. Having met and fully examined all three candidates its clear that Beidler is the best man for the job.

The folks who work with Tom Greene and Rob Beidler overwhelmingly prefer Beidler. Greene has worked in the Sheriff's office for 20+ years. He's become an entrenched government bureaucrat. The deputies all know him and do not want him as Sheriff!

Every law enforcement organization in Snohomish County that makes political endorsements has endorsed Beidler: Monroe police 100%, Marysville Police 100%, Everett Police 100%, Snohomish Police 100%, Deputy Sheriffs Association over 90%, Lynnwood Police over 90%.

Greene may have some support within the Republican Party but you need to remember that we're electing our next Sheriff - not the next Republican PCO.

Go with the best man for the job ? vote Beidler!

Posted by: Mitch on July 22, 2007 09:56 PM

4. Personally, I'd have a hard time endorsing a candidate that is preferred by the officers. Just look at the comments from the Geezer above. If Sheriffs officers are behaving as he says, I would not want to promote from within their ranks.

Personally, I would vote for Greene, and I'd like to see Lovick go back to driving a patrol car.

It seems like we may have three candidates that only carry on the status quo, and don't improve upon anything.

With regards to Detective Larry Cole, he appears to represent everything the Sheriffs department represents, and everything they shouldn't. When an officer takes it upon himself to start taking pictures of law abiding citizens, there is a problem.

How about asking all three candidates how they feel about an officer taking pictures of supports at a political rally? Is this a new form of intimidation by the SNOCO sheriffs office, or an officer that needs to have a leash wrapped around his neck to ensure he doesn't get too far off the path he is supposed to be walking.

Posted by: Joel Johnston on July 22, 2007 10:26 PM

5. Geezer: I saw Tom shortly after you met him, and he told he had a very nice impromptu meeting with you.

Stanwood Sage: I think most people won't know much about the candidates beyond what they read in the papers and what they see in the voter pamphlet, where Tom wins hands-down. We'll see.

Joel Johnston is right on, and Mitch: GOOD. I do not WANT the person the deputies want. Greene is the only man in the race who any of us can have confidence will whip the department into shape and protect not only our tax dollars, but our persons and properties, as best as possible.

That is why almost every sheriff and police chief supports Greene, because he is actually capable. Don't tell me about who supports Beidler, and don't give me this nonsense about the GOP ... indeed, a Beidler supporter the other day told me I should support Beidler because he is a good Republican who can help bring those deputies who support him into the GOP! so I should vote for Beidler because he is good for the GOP, but vote against Greene because he is supported by the GOP?!

Tell me instead what really matters: why Beidler would be a good sheriff. Not who supports him, not whether he or Greene is better for the GOP. Every time I hear anyone talk about Beidler, they only talk about deputies and police officers who support him, and never talk about how he could actually do the job as well as Greene, and the reason is obvious:

He can't.

Posted by: pudge on July 23, 2007 12:14 AM

6. Lovick is the right man for the job. He has 25+ years experience on the street as a State Trooper, has local political experience as a Mill Creek City Councilmember and Mayor Pro-tem, and State level experience as a legislator and Speaker Pro-tem. I have found John to be the most honest and responsive politician I have ever dealt with. He may not always agree with me, but he always gets back to me promptly and listens to what I have to say. As an R, I regularly vote for John, because without regard to party affiliation he is the type of individual that we should have representing us for as long as he is willing to serve. As regards his character, they simply don't come any better than John Lovick.

Posted by: Tim on July 23, 2007 12:29 PM

7. Greene: Long in the tooth. Been 'round forever and is a lackey for the current admin. He's been sitting behind a desk too long, he's disconnected. Ever heard the phrase "more of the same"? ... thats what he'll bring to the table. He has no clear vision of his own, and actually used Beidlers campaign platform in a recent news article as his own!If he cant put forth his own clear vision for the direction of the agency, how can he effectively lead. There is a reason deputies dont want him, and it has nothing to do with discipline. It has to do with leadership, and he lacks that.

Lovick: An entrenched "yes man" politician with a gun ....oh thats just what the county needs! .... end of story there.

Beidler: Respected by the men and women of law enforcement and fire safety throughout SNOHOMISH county. A man who has been on the streets of this county seeing first hand what needs to be done. (Not behind a desk looking at it on some printout). Charachter, honesty and passion for the job .....he gets my vote.

One of you said you wouldnt want the same guy the Deputies want. Well i differ in that opinion. They dont want Greene because he badmouths the deputies in this agency. He uses a few (very few) examples of deputies with some issues as a blanket to cover the rest. Thats wrong. He has become disconnected from rest of the agency. I know as do you that the massive majority of these deputies is out there doing the right thing day in and day out. They dont want a few bad apples ruining their reputation as an outstanding law enforcement agency. I am sure they would like to see the agency headed in the right direction and doing right by the citzens of the county ..... so they endorsed the man they felt would get them to that point, Beidler. Makes sense to me.

Mr.Brown3

Posted by: mojo on July 23, 2007 01:39 PM

8. Mitch wrote:

Every law enforcement organization in Snohomish County that makes political endorsements has endorsed Beidler: Monroe police 100%, Marysville Police 100%, Everett Police 100%, Snohomish Police 100%, Deputy Sheriffs Association over 90%, Lynnwood Police over 90%.

Aren't you referring to the unions, rather than a headcount of all those police departments?

Posted by: Michelle on July 23, 2007 06:37 PM

9. Tim: I don't see how it is even possible to say that Lovick is the right man for the job, when he is, literally, not even qualified to be the Snohomish police chief, let alone the county sheriff. You may personally admire him, but we need someone who has more going for him than legislative experience and personal admiration: we need a sheriff.

mojo: none of what you said about Greene is true, except that he has been around a long time, and that is -- to citizens who want a sheriff who knows what to do and how to do it -- a GOOD thing, not a bad thing. On what planet is experience a bad thing, honestly?

Also, the deputies, in fact, did not pick Beidler over Greene: Greene asked them not to endorse him well before they endorsed Beidler, so there would be no conflict of interest.

Since the ONLY THING ANYONE EVER says about Beidler being better than Greene is "the deputies support Beidler," obviously that endorsement is very important to Beidler's campaign, which means that Beidler owes a lot to the deputies should he somehow win the election, which means that he is beholden to the people he's supposed to have authority over. That's a bad situation any way you look at it, so the ONLY THING Beidler's got going for him in this race is STILL a big negative.

Posted by: pudge on July 23, 2007 07:45 PM

10. Pudge said, "Also, the deputies, in fact, did not pick Beidler over Greene: Greene asked them not to endorse him well before they endorsed Beidler, so there would be no conflict of interest."

Pudge,

You don't honestly believe that? Good spin on Greene's part. He knew he didn't have a shot at the endorsement and came up with an excuse. I'm shocked you fell for it.

The one thing we can agree on is Lovick is completely unqualified for the position. I'd vote for Greene over Lovick, but Beidler is the top pick of me and the other deputies.

Time on the job does not equal experience, or leadership ability.

What gives you greater insight into Beidler and Greene's leadership abilities than the men and women who work with them. Do you know something we don't?

Posted by: Mitch on July 23, 2007 09:34 PM

11. Mitch: the timeline proves it's true. Shrug. But let's pretend it's not true, for a moment: what does that change? Greene is absolutely correct that seeking the deputies' endorsement is a terrible conflict of interest, and you refused to address that fact (probably because there's no way to deny it).

Anyone who wins because of an endorsement from the deputies is beholden to the deputies. You cannot lead that way. You talk of Beidler's leadership, but that's not leading, that's following. That's going along with what the deputies want so they will back you. Beidler would be a servant of the deputies, not a leader of them. This is a point AGAINST Beidler, not in favor of him. I want someone who is going to whip the deputies into shape, not owe them anything.

I've seen many police departments where the officers or deputies have the real power, and in every case it's a disaster, and that's what we're looking at with Beidler, because of this endorsement, which is, as we've seen, the only thing Beidler seems to have "going" for him.

As to experience, no, time does not equal experience. But so what? Does anyone honestly think Beidler has anywhere near the breadth and depth of experience of Greene? Come on. It's not even close. That's why Beidler's campaign is about endorsements of deputies and not experience. And it's why at the end of the day, Beidler will lose: the citizens do not want someone who can only talk about who supports him (especially when it is the people he's supposed to lead, not be beholden to) instead of what actually makes him the best candidate for sheriff.

Posted by: pudge on July 23, 2007 10:13 PM

12. I believe that all three candidates for the position of sheriff are honorable men and that each of them have a lot to offer; however, I have to examine more deeply their respective qualifications for the job of sheriff.

1. Mr. Lovick is foremost a politician who only decided a few months ago to enter the race for sheriff even though he was just re-elected to his office. I think that John wants to use this position as a stepping stone to other political positions and that the citizens of Snohomish county deserve someone who only wants to be sheriff and not his eye on a future office.
Additionally, John does not meet the qualifications/requirements to assume the duties of a Police Chief in any of the cities in our county let alone be sheriff.

Rob Beidler is an "up-coming" star already within the sheriff's office and he knows the culture and he definitely wants to be the agent of change. I think Rob's time will come in the future; however, he is too short on managerial experience to assume the roll of sheriff. Additionally, Rob would be a great candidate for a Captain or Commander or even a Deputy Chief in a smaller police agency in which he could gain valuable experience and training for a future run for sheriff.

Tom Greene has twice the law enforcement experience as either of the candidates and he has gained his experience while working his way up the ranks (competitive promotional tests) from Deputy to Bureau Chief. Tom has also worked patrol; detectives and in administration that gives him the depth of experience that neither of the other two candidates posses.

I firmly believe the Tom would be also an agent of change once he is no longer in a shadow of Rick Bart. Tom's integrity is unquestioned throughout the county and he is ready to be sheriff the very first day when he steps into the office.

Posted by: Danny Pitocco on July 24, 2007 09:27 AM

13. All you'all go take a look at Greene's website: www.greeneforsheriff.org. You'll find a letter dated March 2006 Tom sent to the Deputy Sheriff's Association stating two reasons for not seeking their endorsement: "First, and of greater importance, I choose not to jeopardize the unity of the Sheriff's Office. To ask the members to endorse me over another internal candidate would only invite disharmony."

And "Secondly, I think it wise to establish and maintain a bright line of objectivity. By that I mean that when I'm elected, I will surely face decisions regarding labor negotiations and discipline. I want no one, voters and deputies alike, to think I am beholden to the DSA because it endorsed me, or that I begrudge the DSA because it didn't."

Personally, I believe those reasons, stated more than one year before the Association and police unions even decided to meet, are enough for me to know I want an experienced, fair and impartial Sheriff--not one beholden to any group or individual.

Posted by: Ridge Runner on July 24, 2007 10:19 PM

14. OK, you can have that one...Greene has experience. Experience does NOT equal leadership, it is merely tenure in the job. There are plenty of dried up cops sitting around waiting to retire who do a lot of nothing all day. They have a lot of "Experience" too. Again experience does not equate to leadership. I have personally known men in the military with very little experience who were fantastic leaders. Beidler is seen as a leader. He acts like a leader and talks like one. He approaches the job like a leader and treats the members of the office like a leader should. If "Experience" is the key, any schmuck with 20 or 30 years on the job should do. Leadership is what is needed, whether its comes from a guy with 15 years or 30 doesnt matter, how he leads does.

As far as the DSA is concerned, why so hung up on that one? Picky, Picky .... The DSA is going to have an impact on this election, some are for Greene, most are for Rob. Its a small voting block in the big picture....lets move on shall we.

How about the other agencies that have endorsed Beidler? Monroe, Lynwood, Snohomish etc....what have you to say about their endorsements. What have they to gain? Maybe they have an idea as well who might best lead the Sheriffs office? How will you down play there opinions?

And as far as Lovick is concerned, he isnt going to win, so we can keep it centered on Greene and Beidler. Johnny is just hoping name recognition will get him in...it wont? He is so tied up in that fact, that i have actually seen (all over the county) his signs being posted right in front of and blocking view of, Beidler and Greene signs. What is up with that. Getting defensive? Afraid? or just plain unethical and lacking character??

Until Next time,
Mojo

Posted by: Mojo on July 27, 2007 01:11 AM

15. oh yea, one more thing....

I keep hearing about Greenes "Experience" .... in doing what? Whenis the last time he was on the road? when did he last take a report or console a victim of a crime? Has he recently arrived on scene at a major crime and assisted? I wonder who the last road deputy was that actually saw him somewhere other that down town or at a political rally?? He is experienced, true...i believe he is the director of finance, correct CFO? He has said him self the Sheriff is not a street cop, but a CEO ... That tells me he is disconnected.

Moj

Posted by: Mojo on July 27, 2007 01:19 AM

16. This is my first post here so please bear with me.

First let me address the DSA endorsment issue. For Chief Greene to not ask for the DSA endorsment because he wanted to stay objective is an easy out. If that is the case he should not seek endorsments from any entity or person. You can't have it both ways.

Next is people have brought up "what does Rob have to offer other than cops like him?" Rob has a vision for activley targeting the most harmful criminals who create 80% of the problems. He wants to change the culture from documenting crime to fighting crime.

This has been a major part of Robs campaign from day one. It is so popular that Chief Greene recently adopted it and used it in an interview with a Lake Stevens publication. To Chief Greene's credit he did later apologize to the DSA president for this.

When people say Greene needs to "get his people in line" what they fail to see is that Rob has his people in line and they would follow him without hesitation.

I have a great deal of respect for Chef Greene but rank does not make a leader. Rob is a leader, not because he says he is but because others say he is.

To me the election breaks down to this. The resume vs. the politician vs. the crime fighter. Personaly I want a crime fighter to lead the Sheriff's Office by example.

For those who beleive the Sheriff is an administrative position and not a "law enforcement" position is selling the position of Sheriff short.

Rob has administrative experience in and out of law enforcement but he is far and away the one out of the three candidates who knows what the crime on the street is like, what challenges the Deputies face, what resources they need to get the job done and how to build partnerships with the citizens to work together in making all of Snohomish County a safer place to live.

Posted by: Monkey on July 27, 2007 02:09 PM

17. Thank You Monkey for coming out of the trunk and explaining that so well. I agree.

I would like to see a Sheriff who believes his job is more than just politics from behind a desk. One who will stay connected to the men and women on the street. One who will be involved "in person" and not just a signature on a piece of paper. We need someone who wont trade being a cop for being a politician (or CEO). I know Rob, and he will always be a cop first. Greene won't, he hasnt been doing it in his current position, why should i believe that will change.

FYI.... I stole two votes from Greene during a quick sit down with some folks, and secured one from a guy that was on the fence earlier today. People really do care what cops have to say about this race.

Mojo

Posted by: Mojo on July 28, 2007 02:12 AM

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