It’s official; Gene is running for Sheriff. He made his announcement in the rotunda at Greene County this morning. If you can’t tell by the post, I am endorsing him for this position. Unfortunately some of my friends have already thrown their support behind another candidate, but that is okay; we will still be friends after the August primary.
I love politics and can’t wait to get home and help with his campaign. I have worked for Gene for about five years of my life and he has been my friend for well over ten. There is no person more qualified to be Sheriff of Greene County than him. The only one in the ballpark is the outgoing sheriff, Jack Merritt, but he isn’t running.
Thank goodness!
I remember Gene from back in the day when I was married to one of the contenders in the running now. Gene is a good guy. I think he would do a fine job.
I’m glad to see others throwing their hats into the ring. I hate to think of one certain person winning solely because of his affiliation with the present Sheriff instead of winning based on his own “Merritts”. HA!
Comment by Abnormally Normal — January 9, 2008 @ 12:05 am
Joel,
I have not figured out who I am going to throw my support behind for this Sheriff’s race. Not that it matters who I support but why should I (or anyone) support Gene? What makes him the most qualified candidate?
Comment by Chad — January 9, 2008 @ 6:40 am
Hey Chad, great question. I will lay that out for you and everyone in a post; hopefully tomorrow.
Comment by Joel — January 9, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
I think I have some ’splainin’ to do here.
I’ve recently gotten word that my first comment to this post came across as offensive and vindictive because of my previous ties with one of the candidates. That just isn’t the case.
I merely meant that I am glad to see more people in the running for Sheriff. That way the public can make their decision to vote for a candidate based on past experiences and resumés rather than how many votes will come from their affiliation with their popular “campaign manager/treasurer”. If they’re going to win, they need to win on their own merits, not ride on the coattails of someone else.
I personally have never heard of a candidate running for an office with the departing office holder helping to run a campaign. I am fully aware that it’s legal and all that jazz, but it still seems a little unfair to the other candidates. So for that reason, I am glad to see more people stepping up to the plate. With more contenders in the running, I feel that the merits of all will be brought out.
And in case anyone hasn’t noticed, I don’t seem to be the only one that has mentioned this.
But who cares what I think, I’m just the ex.
Good luck to all the candidates!
Comment by Abnormally Normal — January 14, 2008 @ 4:13 am
Wow, I’m just impressed that people still read my blog!
Comment by Joel — January 14, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
And I’m just impressed that some people still care what I think! HAHA!
Comment by Abnormally Normal — January 15, 2008 @ 4:09 am
Add me to the list! I’m just as impressed as you are impressed that you care what I think too! I love you sooooooo much but, GO-GO-GO JIM ARNOTT!!! Hehehehe….. I’m not in Greene County though, so I really have no say…lol Then again, I don’t watch football either but I always pick a team for the Super Bowl!
Comment by Kristina Jack — January 15, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
Joel,
For whatever reason I lost my posting to your comments about Chief Arnott. I don’t know if they were submitted or not. If not, please let me know so I can re-sumbit my reply. If they have. I think its important that you post it so your blog is not so single sided.
Comment by Frank Duren — January 22, 2008 @ 9:34 am
Joel,
This is Frank Duren. I’m not going to give an alias or a screen name. I’m not going to hide behind a fake name.
This response is in regards to your comments about Chief Arnott’s lack of qualifications to be Sheriff.
Let me start by saying after your horrific accident Sheriff Merritt gave you a job. He did so out of the kindness of his heart and Christian values. Not only was Sheriff Merritt concerned for your well being, so was Chief Arnott. Nice way to repay those that were there for you in your time of need. Your true colors are just shining! You can support another candidate without being negative about the others. Do you think you were qualified to do the job you held while employed by the GCSD? (Just making a point on qualifications and personal interpretation.)
During that period of time when you were employed by us, I always supported you. I did not agree with some of the things you did, but I supported you. You know that to be true. I honestly did not know what type of person you were until now. It’s not because your supporting someone else, it’s due to your absolutely ignorant opinion about someone you know very little about. That is why I will not speak ill of Gene Tomilson or Mark Webb. I don’t know them enough to give an honest opinion. You ought to follow suit.
I’m not one to reply to any type of blogs, However, I’m frankly tired of your uneducated political rhetoric. You’re making statements about things you know nothing about. When it’s comes to integrity, that is one of Chief Arnott’s main attributes. He taught his subordinates, rather pounded into their heads the importance of integrity and their reputation with the public, prosecutor’s office and other law enforcement agencies. These things were some of the most important values he instilled to his Detectives.
His integrity can be seen through out his 20 year career. He started as a reserve and worked his way to the position. Yet you and others say that he is riding on the coat tails of Sheriff Merritt. Here’s a little math for you. Sheriff Merritt has been in office just over seven years. Chief Arnott was being promoted through the ranks long before Sheriff Merritt took office. Who’s coat tails was he riding before Sheriff Merritt took office Joel? Most people who are promoted are promoted because of their work ethic. Then again, some people are promoted merely out of circumstance!
Chief Arnott has stood strong on not running a negative campaign. Joel, that sounds a little like integrity to me. In fact, chances are if anyone reads this there is a good chance I will be in trouble. Some things are worth getting in trouble for. Sometimes you have to do what’s right, not what’s popular.
Just so you know, Chief Arnott and I have not always got along. For years, we argued daily and I felt I was being picked on. It wasn’t until I grew up and matured as a law enforcement officer that I understood why he did what he did and said what he said. He is a leader Joel, not an empty political figure. He would not ask his men to do something he is not willing to do himself; I know I have seen it. He leads from the front and asks nothing from his men other then the best they can do. He holds people accountable as well as himself. I along with many others would follow him to the gates of hell, not because of who he is, rather the leader he is and his beliefs.
Joel, as you can probably tell by now I’m not politically correct. I don’t like politics. It brings people like you out of the wood work making comments about things they know absolutely nothing about. How is it you can come to the opinion you have? You had very little contact with him during your employment. You did not work for him, you never worked a case with him, (have you ever worked a case?) and you were in a different building. You were rarely in the Detective Division. How did you come up with your impression of Jim Arnott? It was not rumor or assumption was it? You know what they say about assuming.
Frank Duren
Comment by Frank Duren — January 22, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Hey Frank,
I just read back over everything I have written concerning the Sheriff’s race and Gene, and I am not finding anything that even resembles what you are saying I said. I think you are confusing my comments with some of those made by my readers; specifically abnormally normal. Just to clarify for all who are reading this, I allow anyone who wants to comment to put their opinions on my blog; the only things I don’t allow are links with the intent of making money or obscene comments. I also try not to allow anonymous comments; I prefer people to put their name, but in the case of abnormally normal she linked to her blog so any reader could know it was Sandy, Jim Arnott’s ex-wife if they followed the link.
Anyway, I do want to take the opportunity to respond to what you have said, so I will take that on paragraph by paragraph.
First off, I have never spoken of Jim Arnott’s qualifications for Sheriff; I have only spoken of Gene Thomlinson’s qualifications and you are certainly right, I know Gene much better than I know Jim and that plays a part in my opinion.
You are right, Jack gave me a job after my incident and it was in large part based on his Christian values. I was very thankful for that. I’m not sure if you are aware, but the job I was given was as a regular deputy and I was assigned to perform administrative tasks because I was not physically able to work patrol at that time. When I was hired I was a reserve deputy and I had previously been a full time patrol deputy and prior to that was a reserve deputy. After two months of performing administrative tasks; specifically helping Scott Quick with training, Scott was tired of all the change and wanted to go work patrol. Simultaneously, I was having trouble with physical therapy and not recovering as fast as I wanted; so Scott and I came up with the idea of switching my patrol position for his training position and we asked the Sheriff about it. The Sheriff felt confident in the work I had displayed in the two months so he agreed to the change. A position in the drug unit became available simultaneously, and while we were talking to the Sheriff Scott said he would actually prefer the drug unit so he took that position and they hired Mike Robertson for the patrol position I was sitting in. Two years later, based solely on my performance in the job I was promoted to Sergeant. Based on what my bosses, Chief Martin and Sheriff Merritt, said about my performance I would say I was qualified.
When you say you have always supported me, you are absolutely right. I knew you didn’t always agree with me, but you did support me and that meant a lot to me then and means a lot now. There have been several days while I have been over here in Afghanistan on a mission outside the wire that I actually thought specifically of you and wished you were on my flank with your rifle. I know what type of person you are, and I have always and still do value your support.
I do want to re-iterate; I have said nothing bad of Jim Arnott here and I won’t. I will allow anyone who wants to say something good or bad about him do that on this forum, but I won’t speak badly about him.
I have not spoken of Jim Arnott’s integrity; I have spoken of Gene’s and I know Gene’s. I know Jim has been a valuable part of the department for 20 years and I don’t dispute that or say he is riding anyone’s coat tails; again you are confusing the comments of one of my readers for mine and that is simply not the case. I also have no doubt that Jim would do anything he is asking one of his guys to do; I am the same way and practice that daily over here with the Taliban; and Gene is like that as well. All of us who have that law enforcement bug are like that; it is part of being a true warrior and I don’t doubt that I, you, Jim and Gene are all true warriors.
On your last paragraph Frank; again, I think you are confusing what I have said for what my readers have said. I have spoke of the positive qualities of Gene and have not mentioned the qualities of Jim or Mark. I do know Jim fairly well and it is in no part based on rumors and assumptions; it is based on my experience of working directly with him as I did all the Division heads at the Sheriff’s Department. I tried to spend more time in the Detective Division when I was there, but every time I did I was called in someone’s office (not Jim’s, but you know who) and quizzed on what I was doing in their section. I can say without regret that I put everything I had into transforming the Sheriff’s Department during my time there. I know many people have said some really bad things about me and then smiled and shook my hand and acted like they were glad to see me when I came home on R&R; but regardless, I did everything I could while I worked there and I am very proud of what I accomplished.
Frank, I have always thought you were one of the best law enforcement officers I have known; tactically sound and sharp. I hope you just misunderstood who was saying what here. I have even more respect for you because of the way you are standing up for the person you work for; that is a great quality and I admire that. I definitely consider you a friend and hope when I get home in a couple of weeks you will still think the same of me. God bless.
Comment by Joel — January 23, 2008 @ 12:12 am
Just a note:
This blog is set up to automatically hold comments for moderation if they’re submitted by an email address which hasn’t been used in a comment before. This automatic moderation is used to combat comment spam. [comments often left by computer programs not people.]
So, if your comment is not published as soon as you hit ’submit comment’ that’s why. Joel’s really busy these last few days in Bagram, so moderation time might take a bit longer than normal. Don’t worry, you don’t need to post your message again.
Comment by Amy — January 28, 2008 @ 8:10 am
Joel,
Sorry for my delay in the response. My responsibilities at the Sheriff’s Department have kept me very busy. Not to mention I’m not a “Blogger”. Regarding your comment that you were not negative toward Arnott is not completely accurate. Your original blog did say some derogatory things about Chief Arnott. Now, your acting like that did not exist when it in fact did. Why did you remove your last blog? Were you asked to remove it because it was negative about Arnott. If so, I have my suspicions on why and who made the request. If it was your conscious that’s one thing, however, it sounds to me like someone else had influence over you. It seems that you’re back peddling a bit. That is why I said the things I said.
You mentioned that he got rid of some great officers. Who?, name them. The ones that you say he got rid of, in fact they got rid of themselves. I know everyone of the officers that have either been terminated or resigned and you know as well as I do it was for good reason. You know the old man makes the final decision on terminations. Yet, you don’t say anything derogatory about him. Also, you know what kind of heart he has and it takes a lot for him to make a decision like termination. When you worked at the office, Arnott was a Lt. or maybe a Captain. You know as well as I do that only the Sheriff can make that decision. So, how is it Arnott is responsible for that?
Also, you mentioned that you have gone to calls with all four candidates, are you sure about that? Come on Joel, think about what you’re saying. When have you been on a hot call with Arnott, Webb, Thomilson or that other guy? I don’t recall you ever being on a hot call with any of the candidates. Especially Webb, he was a city copper. Not that we don’t back them up and would do so at the drop of a hat, I just have my doubts that you have in fact had a “hot call” with any of them. Most of your duties involved DWI and traffic when you wore the uniform on patrol.
I have been on hot calls with Arnott, hot calls when you don’t know who or what is behind the door and you’re depending on him to cover your six. I have been in altercations with him with tweekers on a rain soaked road in the middle of the night. How often does the candidate your speaking of actually goes hands on when needed? How many times has he breached a door in a search warrant? How many times has he grabbed you after a shooting, pulled you to the side and hugged you like a brother just to tell you it’s going to be o.k.? I failed to mention he offered his own sidearm to this officer when he was disarmed after his on duty shooting. Your opinion of Arnott is skewed. And your opinion of the “other” candidate(s) is based solely on personnel opinion not professional or “duty related” experiences.
One more thing, you have failed to mention the late Captain Floyd. At last I knew, he ran the reserve patrol until his untimely death a few years back. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t one of the candidates just take over that position after his death?
Joel, I don’t want to fight with you regarding any of this. Brother, your just not being completely honest in your blog. You have alluded to Arnott many times in a negative way and I think it’s unfair and unjust. If you wish to support another candidate, give it you’re all but do it with Integrity. Most of those that have thrown there hat into the election have something to offer. Only one has brought himself up through the ranks and ran the department. He has been a full time patrolman, the heart of law enforcement. He has been a Detective and put the worst of the worst in prison for the rest of their lives, he has supervised many men and now he runs a department with a multi-million dollar budget and has everything to offer and that is Jim Arnott. You may think that I’m just kissing up to Arnott Joel, but I think you know me better then that. Also, I’m not sure he has read this yet or if he keeps up with the blog. Put it this way, I haven’t sat across the desk form him yet. When and if I do, I’ll let you know. Until then, I wish you and your family the best.
Frank Duren
Comment by Frank Duren — January 31, 2008 @ 9:54 am
Frank,
You asked Joel, “Why did you remove your last blog?” What are you referring to? I didn’t notice Joel deleting a post or comment. I can’t find anything missing.
Comment by Amy — February 1, 2008 @ 4:30 am
Hey Frank,
My original post did not contain anything derogatory and no one told me to remove anything. I am my own man and I completely control this blog; it is single sided.
You referred to a sentence that I wrote — and stand behind — which I removed the next morning after sleeping on it. No one influenced that decision or even commented concerning it; I decided not to speak about the other candidates. Since you brought it up, the deleted sentence said that I made a decision to open my restaurant at the time I did because Tom Martin had fully committed to retiring as Chief Deputy at the end of 2005 and there was no way I was going to have my livelihood in the hands of Jim Arnott. I personally witnessed all the good officers that had voluntarily left his division and in many cases the department due to his leadership style. I don’t know what these officers told you as they resigned, but many of them came and spoke to me in detail about their experience. It was an informed decision that I made; I have no doubt it was the right decision.
I find it odd that those who hate me down there have this feeling toward me in large part because they feel I concentrated on my business too much and neglected the department. I say this because I know very few people that don’t have a business or work off duty (a business venture as well) along with their full time duties as a deputy. The fact is the opposite is closer to the truth; my concentration and efforts toward the department were one of the things that led to the failure of my business. No one ever mentions the hours I volunteered to the department even in the middle of my business falling apart.
As far as my record as a law enforcement officer is concerned…I don’t know why you are trying so hard to diminish that. I could talk about the multiple times Mark Webb backed me up while I was on traffic stops and lay out all the things I have done with the other candidates; however, you and I both know I don’t need to do that. You know I was out on the street more than any other training officer that has ever worked at the department and I actually worked the street for years before you even came to the department.
I know your feelings toward Arnott are from your heart and nothing I can say is going to change your mind; likewise my feelings for Gene are the same. Look me up after August 5th, we can do lunch or something.
Comment by Joel — February 17, 2008 @ 12:10 am
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