The Free Lance Editorial Board before the June primary endorsed
candidates for open seats on the San Benito County Board of
Supervisors and the sheriff’s role.
The Free Lance Editorial Board before the June primary endorsed candidates for open seats on the San Benito County Board of Supervisors and the sheriff’s role.
Undersheriff Pat Turturici is facing Watsonville police Lt. Darren Thompson in the race for sheriff on the Nov. 2 ballot. The remaining race for a seat on the county board is between local businessmen Phil Fortino and Jerry Muenzer.
The following is a recap of the board’s reasoning for endorsing Thompson and Fortino in those respective races after interviewing candidates on an array of topics, while neither decision among editorial board members was unanimous.
Sheriff’s race: Thompson
– Thompson stood out in particular regarding gangs and intelligence, his thoughts on consolidating services with the Hollister Police Department, and his plan to manage a department that has faced issues with allegations of discrimination and, more recently, the 2009 rape conviction of former Sgt. Michael Rodrigues.
– Regarding gangs, he showed an understanding of their dynamics in the area, gained through regional surveillance partnerships. To combat them, he believes he can improve the office’s techniques, build better relationships to foster the exchange of information with other agencies, and further develop gang-prevention programs. He plans to measure the activity and set goals for addressing the related crimes.
– On talk of collaboration with the city police department, Thompson noted how there are ways to immediately improve the sharing of resources – such as with crime-scene investigators, SWAT teams and gang enforcement – and he agrees with studying a future merger between the two law enforcement agencies. If consolidation or a contract of some kind progresses, he would like to see a couple of professional studies done, while he stressed how both sides would have to address such issues as inheriting personnel matters, potential misconduct cases and the variation of equipment between the agencies.
– Thompson is not only genuine about his commitment to the job, but he also would command respect as a leader from day one. Unlike other candidates during the race, he has not made grandiose statements about accomplishments or goals. He has stayed positive and focused on his accomplishments and intentions.
– Thompson noted that department morale, and a drive to improve it, was one of the primary factors in his decision to run. It’s a good reason to run, especially considering the office’s recent history in that area.
– We believe his motives, leadership abilities, broad scope of knowledge and integrity make Thompson the best candidate for sheriff.
Supervisor District 4: Fortino
– Fortino has the right background and attitude for the board of supervisors during such difficult economic times. As a longtime businessman, he has the experience and drive to get things done and to help revitalize San Benito County’s economy.
– Fortino, whose longtime family furniture and electronics business fell victim to the poor economy and a shift in buyer trends favoring big-box chains, has 30 years of experience and, as a result, now personifies a sense of leadership and accountability that would vastly benefit the county.
– He would be a firm, fair boss who has a line of vision directed in just the right places, toward a philosophy of spending frugally – he is open to department consolidation in several areas – and taking aggressive steps toward spurring economic growth.
– He talked about his goals of reversing San Benito County’s anti-business reputation, such as removing “hurdles and roadblocks” toward starting businesses and inviting public input on customer-service levels. He mentioned an applicable “secret shopper” program he ran at the family store under which customers provided information on such details as the appearance of the parking lot and front doors, and how salespeople treated customers. He wants to bring a similar system to county government.
– We like his idea to start an “economic vitality task force” comprised of elected officials acting as a welcoming committee for prospective business.
– He has vowed to focus on tourism promotion and to find ways, including use of public resources, to kick-start the industry.
