Vote for Krebs | Letter

Published 9:48 am Tuesday, October 14, 2014

I am asking you to vote for Ron Krebs as our next sheriff. For those of you who do not know me, I am a recently retired sergeant from the San Juan County sheriff’s office. I served the county for 35 years, serving under four different sheriffs including our current one. My duties included supervising both the Orcas and Lopez Island sheriffs sub-stations. I am still in contact with most all the officers in the sheriffs office and up to date with the current issues within the department.

During the last election for sheriff I asked all those who knew me to vote for the current sheriff. I was wrong. I thought I knew him well as he had worked for me as a deputy on Lopez. I hoped he would continue to move the department in a positive direction. Instead, what I and other officers who had supported him found was a lack of communication, lack of direction, lack of follow-up and a lack of understanding in how the sheriff’s office employees work and interact with each other and those they serve.

During the first year of the current sheriff’s term I realized the department was changing and not going in a positive direction. As a first line supervisor I found I had little to no input as to what was going on within the department. The other sergeant as well as the undersheriff felt the same and we felt the department was heading into turbulent times.

Recently the sheriff’s guild which represents all employees except the sheriff and undersheriff voted to endorse Ron Krebs for sheriff.

Ron is a dedicated officer with current knowledge of community-oriented policing. He served with honor in the military and has management experience in the private sector. I have spoken at length with Ron Krebs about the current issues and concerns with the department and I believe he is the right candidate to lead the sheriff’s office in a positive direction. Please join me and vote for Ron Krebs for sheriff in the upcoming election.

Steve Vierthaler

Orcas Island