I don't know how the County can look at appointing the Sheriff. According to State Statute the Sheriff is to be
elected. The statute I could find is 382.01 Is there another section that allows Counties to decide which offices
it will elect or appoint?
Ramsey County is a Homerule Charter County, which if I recall gives us the right to define our charter outside of state laws regrading the who is appointed and who is elected.
The people who currently sit on the charter commission make up some of the most knowledgeable regarding these sorts of issues, I don't think they would be discussing it if it wasn't possible.
Frankly there are lots of benefits to having an Appointed Sherrif.
First and foremost is the ability of the County Commissioners to control him. Currently if the Sheriff wants something he asks the County Commissioners, if it's something he really wants and they refuse he sues them to get it.
Then there is accountability, currently he is unaccountable to the County for actions he takes or things he does such as spending money. When it comes to the money his department spends, the commissioners have no control once they hand him the budget to work with. So when he demands money for a particular project that doesn't mean the project will be done, once he has the money he can do with it as he pleases.
Then there is the fact that we can only choose to vote for someone who lives in the County. Granted we have a great police force in many of the cities, but the number of officers (which is one of the qualifications to run for that office) is limited. IF he were to be appointed, like the super for the public schools, we can search the nation for qualified people we are not stuck with what is offered at the voting booth, or in other words those that are willing to run against this Sheriff.
Finally is this particular Sheriff seems hell bent on taking over as much as he possibly can, mostly through political high-jinks (he tried to take control of a City who didn't want his department to take over their policing duties), then there is his involvement in St Paul politics, less we forget his involvement in the Ward 5 Race this year.
We need a Sheriff who is more interested in being Sheriff and enforcing the laws than being involved in politics. Police work and politics just don't mix very well, probably the reason St Paul has an appointed Chief of Police and Fire Departments.
--
Sincerely,
John Birrenbach
W 7th Neighborhood, St Paul MN
=== Political & Business Consulting ===
http://www.birrenbach.com/
======================================
"Six years on the council has trained me to feign interest for long periods of time"
Chris Coleman Jan 21, 2004
+++++++++++++++
Unless it is something you think I will find funny don't reply personally, if it's relevant to a post I made then post it to the list for everyone to see. I have no problem being challenged in public. Challenge me in private and you take your chances.
+++++++++++++++
_____________________________________________
To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
_____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul
Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
