The San Juan Islander endorses Brent Johnson for Sheriff. Sharon Kivisto interviewed each of the candidates for at least two hours before coming to the following conclusion.
EDITORIAL: Brent Johnson best choice for Sheriff
By Sharon Kivisto
posted 07/29/2010
We have five candidates for San Juan County Sheriff. One stands out as the best to head the department at this time and two others would be fine choices in the future. The person to vote for in this election is Brent Johnson.
Johnson has gained the experience in his 35-year law enforcement career to do the job we need done in San Juan County. He knows the islands. He's active in various aspects of the community from the Red Cross to the Veteran's Advisory Board.
Of the candidates, he has the most knowledge about the top crime issues facing the county: drugs and domestic violence. As a detective he works on drug operations and sex crime cases. He is a board member of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault organization.
While some talk about the need for community policing, Johnson has already done that. When he worked in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he worked to help turn neighborhoods back to the community after gangs moved in. "They (the neighbors) would have my cell phone number," he said.
Johnson has managed, recruited, trained and evaluated employees. He has specific ideas of changes that will be made once he is elected. A long overdue update of standard operating procedures and a new inclusive process for budget creation are two. Top staff would sit down with him to do a thorough review of the budget, before moving forward with building the new budget.
Experience is the key. Johnson's is deep and wide. In his 35-year career, he's worked as an investigator for a district Attorney on one of the most difficult cases in New Mexico history. They got a conviction even though a body was never recovered. He worked in the Pentagon for the Joint Chiefs of Staff for one year. He was in charge of the DARE program for 72 schools. He worked at the University of Washington Police Department. He was the sergeant for Selection and Recruiting in Albuquerque interviewing 1,000 people to get 45 qualified applicants.
Undersheriff Zerby endorses Brent Johnson for San Juan County Sheriff
Jul 29 2010
The ballots are in the mail; so it is time to make a decision on who should for be our next sheriff. It was a difficult decision because those running have a lot to offer.
I have decided to endorse Brent Johnson for sheriff.
I have worked with all the candidates and consider several friends. I reviewed their qualifications and statements and feel Brent is the right choice to replace retiring Sheriff Bill Cumming. He has been in law enforcement for 35 years and been a supervisor, of police officers, for 13 years.
Integrity is an essential qualification for sheriff and Brent has it and the respect of his fellow officers. Brent will work with the community in providing quality and responsive law enforcement to San Juan County.
If you haven't already done so go to brentjohnsonforsheriff.blogspot.com or just go talk to him.
Jon Zerby
Undersheriff
San Juan County
My wife Lynne-Ann, daughter Lenora and I have lived in the San Juan’s since Sheriff Cumming hired me as Lead Detective eight years ago. I feel I am the best candidate for the job not only because of my experience but also because of my commitment to our community. You might recognize me from previous years handouts for the Safety Fairs on San Juan Island, yeah, I'm the guy helping the kids with the fire hose. I am co-coordinator with Fire Wise an organization that helps residents and neighborhoods assess their fire risks and then helps those same neighborhoods clear out debris and ladder fuel to make homes and the environment safer. I am the guy you may have passed on Beaverton Valley Road picking up trash along a two mile stretch with my family. You will see from my bio that I am a board member with Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Services and Chair of the SJC Veteran's Advisory Board and that I am involved in my home owners association. My commitment to community lead me to run for the office of Sheriff and I ask for your support.