Pubdate: Sat, 26 Aug 2006
Source: Whidbey News-Times (WA)
Copyright: 2006 Whidbey News Times
Contact:  http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2099
Author: Paul Boring
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/women.htm (Women)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SHERIFF'S CANDIDATES MAKE THEIR CASES

Combating drugs in Island County will be a priority for the next
sheriff, although the four candidates' respective perceived means to
an end slightly differ.

Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks asked the final question on
Thursday night at the League of Women Votes Candidates' Forum in Oak
Harbor, stating that in many cases drugs are found on people initially
arrested for a different crime.

"Do you think you can find the resources in your budget to put
together and have a proactive drug unit for the sheriff's office?" he
asked.

In the context of clamping down on drugs, Banks said "proactive" would
mean having a detective on staff to gather intelligence and find the
drug dealers.

Republican Mark Brown said drug prevention money often comes in the
form of grants, which are tied to the Interstate-5 corridor, where
drugs move north from Mexico and south from Canada.

He said he firmly believes in assembling a community task force.
Additionally, the sheriff's department, Oak Harbor Police Department,
and U.S. Navy investigative services should work in conjunction to
maximize resources.

"We can maybe form a triad in this area," Brown said.

Republican De Dennis also advocated partnering with other agencies.
Forming a task force would be valuable, he added, but doing so would
require trained personnel, which the sheriff's office currently lacks.

The final Republican candidate, Lenny Marlborough, highlighted his
past experience as an undercover narcotics officer. He said county
drug seizures need to be "stepped up."

"If these guys are going to be out there peddling drugs and taking
money from you, it's time we take money from them, put it back into
the drug fund, and the drug fund can only be used for drug
investigations," he said.

Sole Democrat candidate Jay Wallace agreed that a task force is
necessary to make headway in addressing the drug problem, which is
often connected to other crimes.

"Everything is pretty much related to drugs," Wallace said, pointing
to his extensive law enforcement experience with drug-related arrests.

Prior to the question and answer portion of the forum, candidates were
allotted five minutes to address the standing room only audience.

Brown spoke of his myriad endorsements from peers, organizations, and
other proven leaders. He said the support he has received from local
law enforcement personnel speaks to his qualifications.

"I firmly believe that to effectively lead the men and women of the
Island County Sheriff's Office, you need the trust and respect within
this organization to move forward in a positive direction," said
Brown, a Washington State Patrol officer.

While blanketing the community during his lengthy campaign, Brown said
he informed voters that he will focus on battling the drug problem, as
well as protecting children against sexual predators, and solving
traffic problems on rural island roads.

He likened campaigning to carrying out sheriff's duties.

"It's about going into neighborhoods and learning of citizens'
concerns," Brown said. "Challenging good people to become involved in
a positive way."

Dennis described his background, which includes more than 30 years in
the Navy. He began his career in law enforcement as a sheriff's office
volunteer while still serving in the military. Dennis is currently
administrator for the Island County Jail.

The Vietnam veteran said he has prepared for the sheriff's position
over the last two-and-a-half years while working for the county.

One major problem facing the county is the proliferation of drugs,
specifically methamphetamines, which are destroying families and the
community.

"Meth is not a fad, it's an addiction and an epidemic," Dennis
said.

The treatment of senior citizens is also a concern. He said the
behavior of "geriphiles", people who sexually assault older people, is
unconscionable. Additionally, traffic problems plague the county, as
do identity thieves.

The jail administrator concluded by issuing a strong warning to
potential criminals.

"To those who prey on our children, those who assault women, those who
steal our identities, those who abuse our seniors, Island County is
not the place you want to be," he said. "We will find you, we will
arrest you, and we will put you away."

When Marlborough learned two years ago that long-time Sheriff Mike
Hawley would not run for re-election, he said he was approached by
several members of the community, county executives, and Island County
Sheriff's Office employees who believed he would be a good fit for the
position. The Coupeville Town Marshal had previously not considered
running.

"I knew, however, that I would not seek office unless I thought I
could make a positive difference and impact to the community," he said.

A former Navy serviceman, Marlborough began his career in law
enforcement as a volunteer officer in the Oak Harbor Police
Department. He was hired as a full-time officer in 1981, 45 days
before separating from the military.

Marlborough said he has been blessed with a career that has seen him
receive thousands of hours of training while granting him "experiences
most would only dream about."

As a patrol officer, he was an emergency medical technician and SWAT
team member. He researched and found funding for the K-9 program,
which is still in operation.

Since being hired as marshal, he said he has worked on communication
with youths using simple ideas like a lunch program. The marshal's
office is currently undergoing the self-assessment phase in the state
accreditation process.

"Upon completion, we will be the only currently accredited agency in
Island County and the smallest ever to achieve accreditation in the
state," he said.

Wallace has been an Island County Sheriff's Office deputy for 11
years, after spending 21 years in San Francisco.

"I'm a highly decorated police officer," he said. Wallace reportedly
has received two bronze medals and more than 100 commendations.

During his law enforcement tenure, he has dealt with nearly every kind
of serious crime, including homicide, kidnapping, and juvenile crime.
He has handled over 1,000 domestic violence incidents and personally
made more than 500 hard drug arrests.

"I want to serve this community to the best of my ability," he
said.

If elected, Wallace would identify and prioritize crime prevention, he
said, while correcting problems in the department like heavy-handed
management, low morale, and the failure to address system-wide
deficiencies.

He said that politics and police work are incompatible, and that he
would emphasize professionalism and encourage discretionary
decision-making in all levels of the department.

Wallace did not address how Sheriff Mike Hawley fired him earlier this
year for alleged dishonesty. The deputy's guild is currently appealing
the decision.

During the question and answer period, Brown was asked about his past
experience in running a department and overseeing a budget. He
responded that he has been recognized as an exemplary Washington State
patrolman. He has been a peer training officer for 26 years and peer
support leader professionally trained by a psychologist to counsel
troopers. His hands-on experience is plentiful, he said.

As for budgeting, Brown said he understands the process, cost
overruns, and that he possesses historical perspective with regards to
a budget.

"I can manage your budget," he said. "I have studied the
budget."

Given the opportunity to respond to the same question, Dennis said his
leadership and administration experience began in the Navy and
continued through his retirement from the military, where he also
maintained budgets. As jail administrator, he leads officers and
manages a $1.6 million budget.

Marlborough has also trained and supervised officers. He said he has
successfully operated within the $500,000 budget over the last 10
years in Coupeville, while increasing services and improving
technology. He added that the marshal's office generally returns
between three and six percent of the budget at the end of the year.

Wallace said he would want to re-evaluate the budget if
elected.

One attendee praised Hawley for his public relations and public
education. She asked the candidates how they would emulate the current
sheriff's success.

"You need to deal with the public," the woman said. "You need to deal
with all of us and educate us."

Brown said he supports Hawley's successful programs like Citizens on
Patrol and Neighborhood Watch. He said he would attend any function to
help keep communication lines open with the community, whether it be a
handful of people having coffee or a much larger group.

Dennis commended Hawley for his rapport with the media and for the
manner in which he has run a "transparent organization" in which
nothing is hidden. The jail administrator added that volunteers are
the lifeblood of the sheriff's office.

Marlborough acknowledged that Hawley has set a positive precedent in
the department. Personally, the marshal has made over 90 presentations
throughout the county and has been invited to speak off-island.

"I know the importance of teaching our communities what our job is,"
he said.

Wallace said throughout his career he has had plenty of
community-related duties.

"All officers have to be community-orientated," he said.
"Communication is a must in any organization."

Dealing with crime prevention, Brown pointed to drugs as a major
problem and came back to the formation of a community task force as
part of the solution.

"It's extremely important to get out there and communicate with the
kids," he said. "I fully advocate that we send these officers into the
schools and they let the kids know the hard facts about drugs."

Dennis said crime prevention needs to be modified to fit the criminal
and the crime.

"You look at the totality of the circumstances and you take the
minimum action required to gain compliance," he said.

In Coupeville, Marlborough has dealt with juvenile problems. In one
instance, young people were vandalizing a city park during lunch hour.
The marshal's solution was to take a sandwich to the park and speak
with the kids.

"They policed themselves. They became part of the solution," he said,
adding that he does not promote a heavy-handed approach to dealing
with crime.

Wallace, a supporter of the DARE program, agreed with Brown, saying
that educating children at a young age can help them grow up to be law
abiding citizens.

"I think the children are our future," he said.

All three Republican candidates will compete in the primary election.
Absentee ballots will be mailed Aug. 29 and the election will be held
on Sept. 19. 
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath