— from Steve Vierthaler, San Juan County Sheriff Retired Sergeant —
I am asking all to please support Ron Krebs for Sheriff.
For those of you who do not know me, I am a recently retired sergeant from the San Juan Co. Sheriffs Office having served for over 35 years. I served the county under four different sheriffs including the current one. I supervised both the Orcas and Lopez sheriffs sub-stations. I am still in contact with most of the sheriffs deputies and am up to date with the current issues with in the department.
During the last election for sheriff I asked all 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 and I felt he would move the department forward in a positive direction. Instead, what I and most of the other officers found was a lack of communication, lack of direction, lack of follow up and a lack of understanding in how the sheriffs office employees work and interact with both each other and those they serve.
During the 1st year of the current sheriffs term I realized the department was changing and not going in a positive direction. The other sergeant as well as the Under Sheriff also felt the same and we believed the department was headed into turbulent times. Our input was not asked for and did not appear to be wanted.
Recently the Sheriffs Guild which represents all the employees except the Sheriff and Under Sheriff voted to endorse Ron Krebs for the next sheriff. This speaks volumes about the current state of the department, and is a very critical statement by the employees.
Ron Krebs is a dedicated officer with current knowledge of Community Oriented Policing, a vital part of law enforcement within our community. He has served with honor in the military and has management experience in the private sector. He knows and understands the special needs of this very unique place we live in.
I have spoken at length with Ron about all the issues and concerns within the department and I believe that Ron is the right candidate to lead the San Juan Co. Sheriffs Office. The deputies and dispatchers need our help. Therefore I am asking each one of you to please vote for Ron Krebs as the next Sheriff for San Juan County.
Thank you Steve . I have always trusted and valued your opinion. Thank you for taking the time to address this important issue!
Thank you Steve for your valuable input regarding Ron Krebs for Sheriff. Your opinion is very important to me and I appreciate that you have become involved with this very important issue in our county.
Thanks Steve for your candid take on the problems and concerned issues of the Department that you proudly served for so long. Leadership issues along with poor communication can only hinder any department and put lives in jeopardy but more so for our first responders and the general public safety.
After attending the League of Women Voters this afternoon, and listening to the sheriff candidates, I couldn’t agree more. Thanks Steve for your stand and input. This is a most important issue.
I am in full agreement with Steve Hopkins. Mr Krebs answered the questions with a level of sincerity and realism that we need in our police force.
We need a top level official that understands the impact that even a simple traffic stop can have a lasting and negative impact on children. That preaching “letter of the law” enforcement without a mindfulness of outside factors and proper training and guidance in discretionary thinking, often does more harm than good.
If nothing else, Ron Krebs brings an approach that we need more of in government. A willingness to regularly sit and give the public an opportunity to be heard. I know that I look forward to holding him accountable for that promise- and I believe him when he says he will do it.
“Community meetings whenever you want them.”
“My door will always be open.”
Both of those declarations are easy to promise, but very hard to implement. Will he drop everything and rush right over to Orcas, Shaw, or Lopez to address an immediate community concern? Where will he find the time?
Further, Deputy Krebs’s presentation was all about what he would do if he were elected, but when I asked him what Sheriff Nou was doing wrong right now, he didn’t have much information to offer us.
Generally, I trust Steve Vierthaler’s opinion. But he admits to having been wrong last time around. He could be wrong this time, too.
I am not reassured.
What’s a conscientious voter to do?
I had so much more to say, but that was all I could fit into the 1 minute time limit. To answer your question, yes, I absolutely will come over to address this communities immediate concerns. That is why you elected me. My first obligation is to the people of this county. That is something I take very seriously.
I would love to come back over and address any questions you may have. I can be reach anytime at 425-971-3712.
My decision is based on who the current deputies support, they know these two men better than any of us as they work with them closely on a daily basis. Every deputy I have talked with supports Ron Krebs for Sheriff.
With all due respect Mr. Henigson, I disagree with your assessment of Krebs answer to your question. In the one minute allowed for response, Krebs touched on issues of communication, poor morale, no policies, and disconnection from his department and the community. There simply wasn’t enough time to give the complete laundry list with specific examples.
Further, in opening statements the Sheriff went through what he identifies as his accomplishments during his four years. A list which included only the purchase of various supplies. So, we see that he is good at spending money. He also mentioned securing the budget for staffing. This was true, thanks to the public safety tax passing, not due to his fighting for the positions. What he fails to mention is that under his leadership there has been a number of people who have left the department due to (in large part) poor management and treatment. He also left vacant the undersheriff position for roughly eight months while he claimed to be doing a search then hired his best friend anyway (who was not ranked number one on the search list). A vacated sergeant position was open for a year!
The sheriff failed to answer the other questions asked of him. He skirted around issue after issue. My question, centered around honesty, was not answered at all. He attempted to defend a press release on the Guardian accident, but did not answer the specific question about accountability. By the way, every single instance of dishonesty are easily proven in public records requests. When asked about lack of patrol coverage on Orcas and Lopez he stated he had never denied to have San Juan Deputies cover. Well, they aren’t here and our islands continue to have poor coverage placing our citizens and deputies at risk.
Did Steve V admit to a mistake….yes he did. It takes a strong man too publicly admit a mistake. I admire him for that. Given that, I am sure he had to consider long and hard whether or not he would endorse another candidate and put his name on the line again. He must feel absolutely certain to have made this statement. It speaks volumes that the only endorsement the sheriff has received is from a group of other sheriffs who don’t live or work here.
I urge you all to support your local deputies in their endorsement of RON KREBS FOR SHERIFF.
After attending last nights meeting with both Sheriff Nau and Mr. Krebs I was unable to ask my questions (as to the time limit given for Q/A) however one question that was asked to Sheriff Nau was the manning issues on Orcas, Shaw and Lopez or the lack of.
Sheriff Nau had an “oh well it happens” attitude towards this question and showed no remorse. Mr. Krebs response was “I will come out and patrol if I have to.”
While the Sheriff talked about how much he has done he didn’t really offer any insight on what his future plans are going to be for the Department mainly manning or how he plans to be more involved in the communities he serves.
I was able to talk with both individuals afterwards about the lack of manning and the lack of a Reserve Program. Sheriff Nau seemed to support it but said it would cost to much.
I asked, Sheriff Nau if senior deputies brought forward an implementation to a new Reserve program to him and it would be able to be conducted on the here on Islands. Sheriff Nau told me “No.” I found this interesting as a current Sergeant, and Mr Krebs both brought this implementation to Sheriff Nau.
The Deputies who serve this county are spread thin. If there is only one deputy on duty on Orcas and he/she is in the office on paperwork, conducting follow up or on another call who is out there conducting patrols of the area simple No one! We the residents suffer from this lack of manning not to mention this is lack of manning is dangerous to the on duty deputy.
After further discussion with both individuals I will vote for Ron Krebs as he seems to have a firm understanding of being an effective leader, businessman and most of all he seems to have our communities best interest at heart.
Mr. Krebs said he wants to be held accountable for his actions and his departments actions. His promise of getting out patrolling, wanting to have town hall meetings (which is a must for effective communication)and most of all he will address the manning issue by bringing back a supportive Reserve Deputy program.
How many schedules has Ron Krebs created so far? The obvious immediate fix for all the above negative commentary would be adding personnel. This would provide needed coverage so personnel would be afforded opportunities to take vacation, attend training events, take sick leave, attend meetings without significantly negatively impacting the priority to serve and protect the community.
The average law enforcement organization has approximately 2.2 officers per 1000 population. Our organization has barely 1 per thousand. This shortage creates challenges and strains on the members of the organization. I understand an additional Deputy would cost approximately $85,000.00 per year. Where exactly is this funding going to come from?
I have served over 26 years in the military and have over 25 years of law enforcement experience. I have held the rank of private to Lieutenant Colonel. I have served as a squad member, platoon leader, Commander, Battalion to Division Staff member and Section Officer In Charge. I have served in a leadership/follower role during two tours in Iraq.
As a law enforcement officer, I have served as a patrol officer, Senior Patrol Officer and a Patrol Sergeant. I have worked in five states for numerous different leaders.
The one consistency I have seen in my service is that leaders are frequently asked to do more with less. I have seen those leaders get frustrated and the consequence of that demand on their subordinates. Morale suffers due to fatigue and organization members blame the leadership. What is an executive to do? He can either tell his bosses no or ask his subordinates to step up and continue to do more with less.
Sheriff Nou works for the citizens of San Juan County. He has asked the county for more personnel. There is no money to add those personnel. The personnel retention challenge for Orcas and Lopez Island has remained unchanged for the past 12 years. It is a challenge for a variety of reasons that are not in the Sheriff’s immediate control.
Here is what I know. The Deputies of San Juan County, as well as the dispatchers, are some of the most dedicated and honest people I have had the pleasure to know. They and their families consistently step up to fill a gap, due to shortages in staffing and resources. They and their family’s sacrifices are humbling.
You all can choose to fire Sheriff Nou and give Ron a shot to make gold from straw. I will personally do all I can, as I am certain we all will, to make him successful, because he was your choice and I, in the end, serve all of you.
I will hope that the members of this organization remain loyal to him, despite the realities, that will most certainly set in, after his first year, for him and his family. My experience has taught me that being the executive is not all it is cracked up to be. He and his family will be very very very tired and frustrated. I will pray for and serve whoever you choose to be the Sheriff of this county.
What I know is that Sheriff Nou is a good person who genuinely cares. He has demonstrated to me that he is honest and that he wants to fulfill his obligation as your Sheriff. He is most certainly not a toxic leader. I have worked for toxic leaders and would most definitely not support a toxic leader because I know those leaders are dangerous.
A General once told me that a new leader is never more dangerous than when he first starts out as a new leader in a new assignment. Not because he wants to be or because of what he knows. It is because he or she does not know what they don’t know. I choose to support Sheriff Nou because he, not Ron Krebs, is a proven leader. I like Ron and I like what his family and friends say about him. Perhaps with time and opportunities for development Ron may become ready. I do not feel Ron is currently ready for the role of Sheriff. Scott T.
My name is Scott Brennan. I have been a San Juan Deputy for 26 years and the Friday Harbor Sargent and on-call supervisor for the entire county for 16 years. I feel compelled to step in here and give information that will help you make the proper choice for your next Sheriff.
I have worked side by side with Ron Krebs for his entire career here and I have been 4 doors down from Rob Nou since he was elected. There is not the slightest doubt in my mind that Ron Krebs is the right choice for your next Sheriff.
Sheriff’s department morale does not suffer because we are fatigued and tired as Scott Taylor suggest, but rather because we are tired of no leadership, no direction, no guidance, no policies.
At recent State level training we were told bad policies is the number one reason for law suits. Rob Nou has had an unfinished generic policy manual sitting in his office for over 3 years. Officers worked for months to give their input and make corrections and suggestions. This was all given back to Rob Nou…who has done nothing with it. When asked about this at the forum he blamed the company he bought the manual from for not giving him more data.
Let me give you and example of Rob Nou’s so called communication skills. Recently I came to work on a Friday afternoon and Rob Nou was not in his office and no one knew where he was, which is not unusual. I had an important scheduling question so I sent him an e-mail…which was bounced back with the message that he was out of the office for a week…and the Undersheriff was also gone for 3 days…leaving me in charge of the entire Sheriff’s Department and any county emergencies for those 3 days, with no notice. I had to find out by an automatic e-mail response!!
Scott Taylor comments that the deputies and dispatchers are dedicated and honest, which is totally true…and the only thing keeping this counties Law Enforcement together. We all love the community and want to do the best job we can. This is absolutely not possible with Rob Nou continuing in the top spot. We all work with and know both Ron Krebs and Rob Nou and, except for a few abstainers, the entire personnel of the Sheriff’s Department, the men and women who worked most closely with both of them, voted unanimously to ask you to make Ron Krebs the next Sheriff.
From the above letter Scott Taylor obviously thinks very highly of himself, but having worked with both men their entire careers, when it comes to leadership skill, management style, honesty and trustworthiness, being a good partner and reliable back up…as well as the ability to do good scheduling…I would pick Ron Krebs over Scott Taylor any day of the week.
Very Respectfully,
Sgt. Scott Brennan
I sincerely respect Sergeant Brennan and consider him a huge asset for the organization. I am deeply sorry if my written opinion offended him or anyone else. My goal was to provide a perspective based on my personal experiences. I am proud of the Sheriff’s Office and the overall performance by its members. I say again, I like Ron and believe he is a nice guy. I just don’t feel, based on my experiences, that he is ready to take on the role of Sheriff. Not because he is a bad person or lacks intelligence. I have had numerous opportunities to watch others, as well as myself, take on leadership roles that required development. I have never been a Sheriff and can only imagine what it would be like. Prior to becoming a Patrol Sergeant, I had a number of opinions about this organization’s Sergeants. Some were positive and others were a bit critical. Although my contact with Sergeant Brennan as a patrol officer was very limited, my respect and appreciation for him increased substantially after being promoted. I believe he is a true servant and that he cares. I will truly miss him and it will be a huge loss for the organization when he retires. I regret that we are on opposite sides of this topic. I offered my opinion because I am concerned that a patrol officer with no experience in leading a law enforcement organization is seeking the top spot. I have seen organizations that have moved people into executive roles with no preparation and experienced the negative consequences. It was not fair to the person put in that position and it was not fair to the organization. It was catastrophic in some cases.
Please know that this organization is strong and that we will be united, one way or another, in the next three weeks or so. I for one will do my best to support and be loyal to the person you choose to lead the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. I believe that both men are honest, intelligent, hard working, caring and dedicated public servants. I just believe that Sheriff Nou, of the two, is a proven quantity and the better choice. He has absolutely done nothing that would warrant his removal at this time. Quite the opposite from my perspective. That in no way should be taken as an insult against Ron. As a fellow Marine, I actually admire him for his willingness and grit to step up and offer himself up to take up the role. I believe it says something about the strength of his character. Having said that, I still feel confident that Sheriff Nou is the clear choice due to his substantial leadership experience and proven ability as an executive. I think the letter of support from the three neighboring Sheriffs should not be taken lightly.
I deeply apologize if any of my comments are taken as an attack. I do not mean them to be that. I am doing what I believe is necessary to provide another perspective. I provided my background to provide understanding for where I gained my perspective. This in no way was meant to take anything away from anyone else offering an opinion. I respect each person’s opinion and thank God I live in a country that allows me the freedom to share mine. I just may not agree with it.
It comes down, quite simply, to this: one either has integrity, honesty, leadership skills and communication skills or one doesn’t. Anyone can learn the tasks . . .
Scott– Your quote is interesting–
“I have seen organizations that have moved people into executive roles with no preparation and experienced the negative consequences. It was not fair to the person put in that position and it was not fair to the organization. It was catastrophic in some cases’.
I’m not sure if you are talking about the San Juan County Sheriff Dept or Orcas Fire!
It is not difficult to make the leap from one to the other since there may have been some conspiring to cover up the details of the late night traffic accident by a fire department employee that had been drinking [edited] that night.
PS– “Have Scott (Brennan) call me”!