Walton Deputies To Unionize.

Well scooter, I was not attempting to impress you with my PRO-UNION stance, transparency or better employment rules would be a great idea, BUUUUTTT, these are POLITICS, and in this case you do what you have to do. In an IDEAL SOCIETY, where fairness and truth rule supreme and you live in a Utopia, but obviously that ain't here. Sorry. I think most of the post have been an atempt to educate and rebut out right falsehoods. In the end scooterbug this will not be decided by me, nor will it be decided by you unless you are a Deputy.

Bob

The figure I heard was 150 deputies, but for the sake of argument lets say 120. 120 divided by 4 shifts is 30 deputies. Allowing for 25% on some sort of leave, that would be 22 deputies. I would think that 22 people could more than cover Walton County. Let's let the new Sheriff look things over before we do anything.

Keep doing your math.........out of the 120, you then take out the deputy investigators, the deputy SRO's, the deputies serving civil papers, the deputies that work the court houses, the K-9 deputies, etc.... does not leave much on patrol........... it would be very nice if there was 22 deputies working a shift!

Meet the Walton County Sheriff CandidatesSave Email Print
Posted: 10:16 AM Oct 23, 2008
Last Updated: 10:59 AM Oct 23, 2008
Reporter: Alex Denis
0 comments

The race for Walton County Sheriff has been heated from the beginning.
During the primaries six Republican candidates challenged incumbent Sheriff Ralph Johnson for his spot. DeFuniak Springs town marshal, Michael Adkinson, walked away with the nomination.
Democrat candidate and state trooper Danny Griffith ran unopposed.
Both Walton County sheriff candidates were born and raised in DeFuniak Springs. They say their hometown roots help them understand what the community needs from its sheriff.
Both agree that the new sheriff will be responsible for rebuilding relationships with the residents of Walton County, but they have different plans for the future of the department.
For 31 years Democrat candidate Danny Griffith has proudly called himself a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. He says his commitment to law enforcement and to Walton County inspired him to run for sheriff.
Danny Griffith said, "I'm very dedicated to law enforcement and very dedicated to this community. I've been that way all my life here."
A family man, Griffith married his Walton High School sweetheart 34 years ago. They have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Griffith says if he becomes sheriff, the first thing on his agenda will be the budget.
"I would want to look at the finical department. What I would like to have is someone with at least an accounting degree or either a certified accountant to take care of the financial matters. I think we need to do that to restore the public's trust."
Griffith's campaign revolves around the idea of creating what he calls a transparent sheriff's department. He wants every resident in Walton County to know, as sheriff, their opinions matter to him.
"I would really like to see input from the citizens on other county agencies as well as employees at the department. Once we do that I think it will probably make for a very smooth department, a very good transition."
Griffith says the lessons he's learned throughout his long career set him apart from his opponent.
"It's what I call 31 years of life experience, dealing with people on a day to day basis. And that can be in good times and it's been in distressing times also. That's an invaluable experience that no one can get at any type of learning institution."
Republican candidate Michael Adkinson says the first love of his life is his wife and two daughters, but law enforcement is a close second.
Michael Adkinson said, "I'm a law man. That's what I do. I don't have another job. I've never had another job. This is all I've ever wanted to do."
Adkinson has a combined 10 years of management experience. Since 2005 he's served as the city marshal for the DeFuniak Springs Police Department.
"My staff and I have done a good job at the DeFuniak Springs PD of modernizing and bringing stuff up to speed. We've started the accreditation process. We've tried to look at the best practices to serve the citizens of the community to make sure they?re getting the level of service they deserve. That's the same approach we'll take at the sheriff's office."
Adkinson is confident in his plan for the sheriff's department. He says his agenda would start with the deputies, which would not including firing the entire staff.
"It is unheard of for a sheriff to come in and dismiss everyone in the agency, and we've certainly heard these types of rumors before. The deputies on the ground, the staff need to understand what's expected of them, so my first priority will be to restructure and reorganize and go in front of the deputies and say here is the way we want to do business."
Adkinson says as sheriff his first commitment would be to the people of Walton County.
"You should feel like you can walk in the front door of the sheriff's office and be able to see the sheriff. We've gotten to the point in this county that that's something special. Somehow, doing your job and being accountable of the people has become some tremendous attribute when really that's just the way you should do business."
To learn more about Michael Adkinson, log onto his website at
www.mikeadkinsonjr.com.
To learn more about Danny Griffith, e-mail him at griffithforsheriff@gdsys.net.

wjhg.com


well someone has thought about letting people go!!!!!!

LGF
Are you suggesting by MA comment, he is intent on terminating some employees:shock:. Might be what has been the concern from the get go, DG kind of indicates a change in the finacial department. Can't see why the Deputies would want to protect their jobs with a UNION.

Bob

That's what I am trying to say. I can see moving your top around. But as I read it the deputies are the 1st thing on his list. NOONE SHOULD LOSE THEIR JOB!!!!!!

That's what I thought, I suppose all those other folks will be here shortly to explain how that is alright and needs to be done to trust the new Sheriff and allow him to do whatever they want to do, blah blah blah

See you at the polls, stop by and say hi. I will be at Good News UMC.

Bob

Tell me Idlewind, where do the standards for Law Enforcement staffing come from, seeing how you are so informed. Surely there is a deputy to population ratio out there. Please inform me and tell me where I can find it seeing as I am seeking your knowledge.:roll: Tell me why those deputies might take 2 hours to ensure that their case is well documented as a start to prosecution, and please tell me how long a deputy must secure the scene before and after a robbery, because unlike you I don't know. Share facts instead of just throwing an idlewind at us because it sounds as though you are concerned. Facts are what I need, not conjecture.

Bob

In order to be a good neighbor I decided to find the answer to your inquiry above. 15 minutes and a computer yielded the following information:

Deputy Ratio per 1000

Bay...............2.46
Escambia......1.34
Holmes.........0.54
Jackson........0.96
Okaloosa......1.74
Santa Rosa...1.22
Washington..1.35
Walton.........2.72

State Average.1.70

So, by FDLE's figures Walton Sheriff's Dept. has one more deputy per thousand than the state average. Their ratio is the highest in the area and in fact has the 3rd highest ratio in the state. The Dept. would need to eliminate 51 positions to get down to the state average. Considering the DeFuniak Police ratio is 3.4, the argument could certainly be made that Walton County is the most well protected county in the area.

I also found salaries on the FDLE website:

Bay.................$32,000
Escambia........$32,895
Holmes...........$22,500
Jackson..........$28,000
Okaloosa........$32,656
Santa Rosa.....$29,670
Washington....$27,700
DeFuniak PD...$29,700
Walton DOC....$34,500
Walton SD......$32,887

So, the Sheriff's Dept. has the 2nd highest salary for officers of the area Sheriffs and the 3rd highest overall behind Escambia SD and Walton DOC.

Are officers unhappy? Attrition rates for the three departments in Walton County:

DeFuniak PD........27.8%
Walton DOC........ 8.1%
Walton SD...........14.8%

So there is no great exodus from the Sheriff's Dept as opposed to others.:shock:

Hope these are the answers you wanted. If you want more FDLE and myflorida.com has a wealth of information. Hope I am no longer "ignorant" as regards the arcane business of how many officers we have.

Idlewind, although you appear to have found all this wonderful information, I would have appreciated more had you gave me the websites.

This makes me ask more questions. I wonder how each department decides how many deputies they need, Deputy/ Population ratio?

I wonder if the Deputy/ Population ratio is based on all employees or just sworn LEO's?

If the wages as listed above is the Departments averages or if that is the starting pay for a brand new, I just started my job Deputy?

That you don't think a 14.8% exodus is not high and DFS PD is 27.8% and the MA is running the department?

That you have indicate where you found this information but did not leave the website to peruse? Idlewind I appreciate the effort and this as it seems has prompted more questions than answers for me. Alas, it won't make a difference in the end because your support for MA appears well entrenched and I SUPPORT THE DEPUTIES AND THERE RIGHTS TO FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT NO MATTER WHO HIRED THEM.

In order to be a good neighbor I decided to find the answer to your inquiry above. 15 minutes and a computer yielded the following information:

Deputy Ratio per 1000

Bay...............2.46
Escambia......1.34
Holmes.........0.54
Jackson........0.96
Okaloosa......1.74
Santa Rosa...1.22
Washington..1.35
Walton.........2.72

State Average.1.70

So, by FDLE's figures Walton Sheriff's Dept. has one more deputy per thousand than the state average. Their ratio is the highest in the area and in fact has the 3rd highest ratio in the state. The Dept. would need to eliminate 51 positions to get down to the state average. Considering the DeFuniak Police ratio is 3.4, the argument could certainly be made that Walton County is the most well protected county in the area.

I also found salaries on the FDLE website:

Bay.................$32,000
Escambia........$32,895
Holmes...........$22,500
Jackson..........$28,000
Okaloosa........$32,656
Santa Rosa.....$29,670
Washington....$27,700
DeFuniak PD...$29,700
Walton DOC....$34,500
Walton SD......$32,887

So, the Sheriff's Dept. has the 2nd highest salary for officers of the area Sheriffs and the 3rd highest overall behind Escambia SD and Walton DOC.

Are officers unhappy? Attrition rates for the three departments in Walton County:

DeFuniak PD........27.8%
Walton DOC........ 8.1%
Walton SD...........14.8%

So there is no great exodus from the Sheriff's Dept as opposed to others.:shock:

Hope these are the answers you wanted. If you want more FDLE and myflorida.com has a wealth of information. Hope I am no longer "ignorant" as regards the arcane business of how many officers we have.

We are in the midst of a know it all people.....

Thats starting pay sir, it does'nt change the fact that a rookie makes just as much as I do, as ther are NO step increases. Not to mention all those other agencies get paid to go to court, dl hearings, depositions and paid for hours worked over. WE DON'T.

Also, you fail to take into consideration deputies assigned to baliff duties, investigations, school resource officer, civil process, transportation, training....etc...etc...Your research does'nt change the fact that we are still short handed in patrol(especially now that we have been ordered to take all of our comp time on the books).

Again, your love for information should compel you to schedule a series of ride alongs.....so how about it idle?

By the way, I don't quite make that much......that must be rounded to "average salary".

Permanent population isn't a good way to judge staffing ratios when you compare tourist and non-tourist areas. Orlando is going to need more cops per real resident than Jacksonville because there are so many additional people who are in Orange County every day who aren't residents, and you'll need to provide additional services to them if only to deal with the usual extra car crashes, petty theft and drunk & disorderly that the Disney crowd brings.

Same goes for Walton and Bay. I expect them to have higher staffing needs because of the non-residents in the county every day. Santa Rosa? Lower staffing numbers because it's mostly a commuter county without a daily large influx of non-residents. (Though its deputies sure get kept busy dealing with crashes on 98)

Perfect

Here to keep deputies from making a sound decision? I'm here so both sides of the story can be heard, and not just YOU with your pro union hand out wanting their money screaming for them to "VOTE PBA"..

And the reason everyone is on here under the cloke of a fiticious names (as you put it) is to keep from being ridiculed and called names by upper brass at the sheriff's office that are pushing for this union. Even you yourself hid under that same cloke to begin with, so how are we to know you are who you say you are now?

And as far as the candidates working under the PBA or why they took jobs at an agency covered by the PBA, who knows. Even more who cares, I am quite sure it had nothing to do with the PBA being there. And I am not even sure the PBA were involved in either of those two agency's at the time they started their career at those prospective departments.

As many have said before, this whole PBA thing stinks with Ralph's stamp of approval all over it. Why not wait and give the new man a chance.

I could not have said this better myself. Thanks.

???

Watcher
Except they can not bargain collectively as individuals. We keep bringing up the trust issue. Has MA or DG said publicly, no one is going to lose their jobs if they are elected?No they haven't. So, why should I trust them, even if I am an "RJ REJECT" as some have posted on here, why should they not have the opportunity to succeed. At sometime the paybacks have to stop. Again if every 4 years a new Sheriff rides into town, why should the Deputies have to suffer to make room for the cronism that has happened in the past. You people from the corporate ranks, does this really sound like good business sense?

As I have said, time and time and time again... I am not fully opposed to PBA or FOP or any "Union". It is the timing of this whole situation and the fact that the sad excuse for a public servant, Ralph Johnson is behind it. That is the problem here.

As for either candidate saying "no one is going to lose their jobs..." I would hope no candidate taking over our sheriffs office would say that. There are a handful of employees that need to be removed. No one wants to talk about the hows or whys and as LEO101 put it, it is to avoid the potential Hell on Earth that this type of talk would bring upon any employee who calls it like it is.

Here is a fact: There are employees in the WCSO who are nothing more then the minions of RJ. They will lie, cheat and who knows what else to help RJ in his final hour. Why, because he gave them positions of authority, when they are less then qualified to hold said positions. Deputies reading this know exactly who these people are. People are just riding out the storm, which will continue till January 2009 when Mike Adkinson assumes his role as Sheriff. Until that time, its free game for the out going administration. Look to see them destroy the department even more, heck, I bet their cleaning out certain files right now... The real victims of this childish behavior are the employees and the citizens. It will be hard enough for any candidate to get WCSO up to par without continued tampering by the current administration.

I just find it amazing that the PBA Reps are not listening to the disent from numerous employees/citizens. The organization does not have any background on the department they so wish to represent. They did not even know about the pending law suit by the two pregnant females. They don't know the history of RJ's administration and all of the bumbles over the past years. Is that being prepared? Do they not realize that these same people could be supporters should the TIMING be right? Blind Ambition.

Ok, I do have one question for PBA Rep. Can you please give an example of a negotigated contract (LEO not Corrections) where your involvement has lead to a successful contract for a represented agency. Specifically, increase in pay, O.T. issues, time off, etc. I am interested to see some past success stories. (Recent Past please, one or two years ago, not ancient history.)

Meet the Walton County Sheriff CandidatesSave Email Print
Posted: 10:16 AM Oct 23, 2008
Last Updated: 10:59 AM Oct 23, 2008
Reporter: Alex Denis
0 comments

W-C-S-O​

A | A | A​

The race for Walton County Sheriff has been heated from the beginning.
During the primaries six Republican candidates challenged incumbent Sheriff Ralph Johnson for his spot. DeFuniak Springs town marshal, Michael Adkinson, walked away with the nomination.
Democrat candidate and state trooper Danny Griffith ran unopposed.
Both Walton County sheriff candidates were born and raised in DeFuniak Springs. They say their hometown roots help them understand what the community needs from its sheriff.
Both agree that the new sheriff will be responsible for rebuilding relationships with the residents of Walton County, but they have different plans for the future of the department.
For 31 years Democrat candidate Danny Griffith has proudly called himself a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. He says his commitment to law enforcement and to Walton County inspired him to run for sheriff.
Danny Griffith said, "I'm very dedicated to law enforcement and very dedicated to this community. I've been that way all my life here."
A family man, Griffith married his Walton High School sweetheart 34 years ago. They have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Griffith says if he becomes sheriff, the first thing on his agenda will be the budget.
"I would want to look at the finical department. What I would like to have is someone with at least an accounting degree or either a certified accountant to take care of the financial matters. I think we need to do that to restore the public's trust."
Griffith's campaign revolves around the idea of creating what he calls a transparent sheriff's department. He wants every resident in Walton County to know, as sheriff, their opinions matter to him.
"I would really like to see input from the citizens on other county agencies as well as employees at the department. Once we do that I think it will probably make for a very smooth department, a very good transition."
Griffith says the lessons he's learned throughout his long career set him apart from his opponent.
"It's what I call 31 years of life experience, dealing with people on a day to day basis. And that can be in good times and it's been in distressing times also. That's an invaluable experience that no one can get at any type of learning institution."
Republican candidate Michael Adkinson says the first love of his life is his wife and two daughters, but law enforcement is a close second.
Michael Adkinson said, "I'm a law man. That's what I do. I don't have another job. I've never had another job. This is all I've ever wanted to do."
Adkinson has a combined 10 years of management experience. Since 2005 he's served as the city marshal for the DeFuniak Springs Police Department.
"My staff and I have done a good job at the DeFuniak Springs PD of modernizing and bringing stuff up to speed. We've started the accreditation process. We've tried to look at the best practices to serve the citizens of the community to make sure they?re getting the level of service they deserve. That's the same approach we'll take at the sheriff's office."
Adkinson is confident in his plan for the sheriff's department. He says his agenda would start with the deputies, which would not including firing the entire staff.
"It is unheard of for a sheriff to come in and dismiss everyone in the agency, and we've certainly heard these types of rumors before. The deputies on the ground, the staff need to understand what's expected of them, so my first priority will be to restructure and reorganize and go in front of the deputies and say here is the way we want to do business."
Adkinson says as sheriff his first commitment would be to the people of Walton County.
"You should feel like you can walk in the front door of the sheriff's office and be able to see the sheriff. We've gotten to the point in this county that that's something special. Somehow, doing your job and being accountable of the people has become some tremendous attribute when really that's just the way you should do business."
To learn more about Michael Adkinson, log onto his website at
www.mikeadkinsonjr.com.
To learn more about Danny Griffith, e-mail him at griffithforsheriff@gdsys.net.

wjhg.com


well someone has thought about letting people go!!!!!!

Griffith says if he becomes sheriff, the first thing on his agenda will be the budget.
"I would want to look at the finical department. What I would like to have is someone with at least an accounting degree or either a certified accountant to take care of the financial matters. I think we need to do that to restore the public's trust."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This quote is very telling of the candidate. First, he freely admits in a reply (see Griffith Post) that he has no financial experience, then he'd like to "at least" have "someone" with an accounting degree... to care for financial matters... That's like saying I'd like to have a deputy with some bullets in his/her gun. The experience level here is of no compairison to Mike Adkinson.

Again, Danny is a good guy and great officer, just not Sheriff material. Sorry.

Here it is.

10-26-2008, 10:44 PM
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To The Watcher
1. No I do not have experience in public finances. I do have experience in business and in my personal finances. 2. As to the formal representation agreement , I do not believe they would have time to complete the entire process prior to a new Sheriff taking office. I do not have a problem with the officers being represented for the purpose of job security and legal representation. I would hope that the PBA would include the newly elected Sheriff in the process since he would be aquiring the office in Jan. 09.

Who does?

Most can barely make it.

By the way, I don't quite make that much......that must be rounded to "average salary".

Congratulations....

To Sheriff-Elect Mike Adkinson Jr.
And also to our new President Barack Obama

While I am pro union, and always will be, I wish Sheriff Adkinson the best and hope he can make this department all it can be, regardless of how the union vote goes.

I wish Trooper Griffith the best, and hope he will continue to be an inspiring precense to law enforcement in Walton County.

Back to business......Glenn Hess....new State Attorney for the 14th circuit to the east of us. A good man. Endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association and aggresively campaigned for. When a candidate backs law enforcement through the PBA, they return the favor with money for an aggressive campaign and an endorsement.

The PBA endorsed Danny Griffith for Sheriff, but did not aggressively campaign for him. Once the union is in place, we WILL be more aggressive politically in this county. The PBA has millions of dollars to assist pro-police politicians secure offices at the local, state and federal levels. On the other end of the spectrum...the PBA WILL agresively oppose anti-police politicians and legislation. The more officers involved in the PBA locally, the more the State Office of the PBA takes notice.

VOTE PBA!

Clap

To Sheriff-Elect Mike Adkinson Jr.
And also to our new President Barack Obama

While I am pro union, and always will be, I wish Sheriff Adkinson the best and hope he can make this department all it can be, regardless of how the union vote goes.

I wish Trooper Griffith the best, and hope he will continue to be an inspiring precense to law enforcement in Walton County.

Back to business......Glenn Hess....new State Attorney for the 14th circuit to the east of us. A good man. Endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association and aggresively campaigned for. When a candidate backs law enforcement through the PBA, they return the favor with money for an aggressive campaign and an endorsement.

The PBA endorsed Danny Griffith for Sheriff, but did not aggressively campaign for him. Once the union is in place, we WILL be more aggressive politically in this county. The PBA has millions of dollars to assist pro-police politicians secure offices at the local, state and federal levels. On the other end of the spectrum...the PBA WILL agresively oppose anti-police politicians and legislation. The more officers involved in the PBA locally, the more the State Office of the PBA takes notice.

VOTE PBA!

You express joy (clapping guy) in the election of M. Adkinson to the Position of Sheriff of Walton County. Will you give him the chance to perform his duty as Sheriff? or will you blindly tie his hands? I oppose anti-police politicians (which is why I do not support Obama), but I am going to give him (Obama) a chance, will you do the same?

w

I don't think it is binding anyones hands by staying the course and voting a UNION in, I will agree that they should hold off on a contract until after 1/1/09. This is more about protecting those folks jobs, NO MATTER WHO HIRED THEM. If an individual does not function/ perform after being given the opportunity to perform then there are remedies, but that isn't what most of this is about, this payback, revenge because of who they are, as it has been noted in this forum, Getting Rid of the RJ's Reject. So Deputies, even though a change is coming and it will be better than what we have had, as employees, citizens and taxpayers, stay the course vote the Union, up or down, it is your choice.
Bob

Judging from the vote for SWFD commissioners I think people are not comfortable with the foxes guarding the henhouse.:shock:

To Sheriff-Elect Mike Adkinson Jr.
And also to our new President Barack Obama

While I am pro union, and always will be, I wish Sheriff Adkinson the best and hope he can make this department all it can be, regardless of how the union vote goes.

I wish Trooper Griffith the best, and hope he will continue to be an inspiring precense to law enforcement in Walton County.

Back to business......Glenn Hess....new State Attorney for the 14th circuit to the east of us. A good man. Endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association and aggresively campaigned for. When a candidate backs law enforcement through the PBA, they return the favor with money for an aggressive campaign and an endorsement.

The PBA endorsed Danny Griffith for Sheriff, but did not aggressively campaign for him. Once the union is in place, we WILL be more aggressive politically in this county. The PBA has millions of dollars to assist pro-police politicians secure offices at the local, state and federal levels. On the other end of the spectrum...the PBA WILL agresively oppose anti-police politicians and legislation. The more officers involved in the PBA locally, the more the State Office of the PBA takes notice.

VOTE PBA!

Where do these millions of dollars come from? Dues from members who struggle to make ends meet. It would seem more prudent economically to give the new guy a chance before you invest that kind of money.

To Sheriff-Elect Mike Adkinson Jr.
And also to our new President Barack Obama

While I am pro union, and always will be, I wish Sheriff Adkinson the best and hope he can make this department all it can be, regardless of how the union vote goes.

I wish Trooper Griffith the best, and hope he will continue to be an inspiring precense to law enforcement in Walton County.

Back to business......Glenn Hess....new State Attorney for the 14th circuit to the east of us. A good man. Endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association and aggresively campaigned for. When a candidate backs law enforcement through the PBA, they return the favor with money for an aggressive campaign and an endorsement.

The PBA endorsed Danny Griffith for Sheriff, but did not aggressively campaign for him. Once the union is in place, we WILL be more aggressive politically in this county. The PBA has millions of dollars to assist pro-police politicians secure offices at the local, state and federal levels. On the other end of the spectrum...the PBA WILL agresively oppose anti-police politicians and legislation. The more officers involved in the PBA locally, the more the State Office of the PBA takes notice.

VOTE PBA!

Looks to me that Mike didnt need the PBA to win this election, and I doubt he will 4 years from now...

Where do these millions of dollars come from? Dues from members who struggle to make ends meet. It would seem more prudent economically to give the new guy a chance before you invest that kind of money.

IDELWIND I AGREE....

Cracks me up, PRO POLICE... how can he say that just because they are not about getting in a union right now that RJ backs, that they are not pro police.. Vote againt PBA... GIVE MIKE A CHANCE... HE DESERVES THAT....

I don't think it is binding anyones hands by staying the course and voting a UNION in, I will agree that they should hold off on a contract until after 1/1/09. This is more about protecting those folks jobs, NO MATTER WHO HIRED THEM. If an individual does not function/ perform after being given the opportunity to perform then there are remedies, but that isn't what most of this is about, this payback, revenge because of who they are, as it has been noted in this forum, Getting Rid of the RJ's Reject. So Deputies, even though a change is coming and it will be better than what we have had, as employees, citizens and taxpayers, stay the course vote the Union, up or down, it is your choice.
Bob

ff2 you agree that they should hold of on doing the contract, but its kinda hard to vote yes on this union when the PBA rep that talked to our group clearly stated to us, and i quote "we are pushing this to get done before Jan 1st." Now come on... what would you do ? Doesnt that scream shady as heck to you... This is the MAIN reason that most deputies are weary of this union. Not because they dont want one, we just dont want RJ having anything to do with the contract, and that is FAIR... I can agree that chances are that it wont happen before the first, but as shady as things have been around this PBA doings, I dont trust it.. I just wish they would of waited to start the whole blue card issue when Mike came in who CLEARLY stated he would not have shot it down, if its what the deputies wanted. I am all about self protection. I realize he may be the best sheriff in the world, but he may not always be the sheriff, I simply dont want RJ to have any doings in the contract, and thats what the PBA rep Mayo stated to our group.... And if your going to start a union and do it in the best interest of all deputies, then why not have a meeting. Pass out blue cards to ALL deputies.. Talk to them ALL. Tell them ALL what it is about, not just select few like what was done. Simply put it was done so wrong that it has made too many too scared to trust.

I think that given the chance the new guy will do right by the deputies with or without a union. Of course it is not my career. It definitely should be held up until after January.