Thread: 2010 Howard County Sheriffs race or the Jekyll and Hyde campaign.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

With troopers running for sheriff in every county around, can that "Im a trooper" thing work again?? It does seem to have worked in the past for many of the counties in Indiana....

I for one respect the ISP agency as a whole which is built on dedication and honesty. The sad part a few who can not make it on their own merit pimp the hell out of the ISP name to give credibility to their campaign. (right Marty?) I like Mike Tarrah and feel you will find he is cut from a different mold than Talbert. Mike has been loyal to his job and happly married for many years. Unlike Talbert, Tarrah is stable and makes good decisions. He also knows that it take cooperation from all to make a agency work. You will never see Mike running through the hallway yelling and acting like a 2 year old child during one of his fits.
I would normally say no to ISP because of Talbert but all who know Mike Tarrah will also say he would be a good sheriff as long as he dont make Talbert his Major.

This is pretty much the feeling of all law enforcemnt. The Troopers found several years ago that the sheriff job is a perfect retirement home. They can start their pension immediatly (which is more than most people realize) and they get full Sheriff pay. On top of that, they end up with a pension from the Sheriff job too. Great deal for them, not so great for the rest of us. The Troopers are always at the end of their career and ready for retirement anyway, so why do we keep electing them?? None of them are ready to give up or leave their jobs prior to reaching retirement age, they are not doing it to make our SD a better place, they arent really community people. Heck most people dont even know these troopers when they run for sheriff, just that they are troopers. I say we all re-think this one.

Originally Posted by Stoner

Just my thoughts......

I think anyone running for sheriff should be from the county they are running for. I am not taking anything away from any ISP candidate but why do so many of them run for a sheriff's position? By the time they are ready to run for Sheriff they are older and burnt out. They have become callous to people. AND.........they make horrible politicians. We all know any Sheriff's position is purely political.


Mr. Smoky......take your ISP pension and go enjoy yourself. LOL

Originally Posted by Unregistered

As the end of the year approaches and the official filing date to run for Sheriff fast approaches, one cant help but feel that they are caught in the middle of a bad sci-fi adventure. Example; As I enter the sacred realm of the departments corridors one feel the ominous environment created by the current Sheriff. People are busy running around the halls in a hurried pace to constantly appear busy to avoid the wrath of the current Sheriff.

During the normal day most want to get in and out of the building as fast as possible. But hey who’s that guy coming towards me? Why its Major Rogers, ok, relax I tell myself he’s a decent guy, he’s not seen very much and not a very personably fellow. What’s this? He’s taking time to shake everyone’s hands and I don’t believe it, he is smiling. He slowly approaches me, normally he could care less if I’m here. He holds out his hand, smiles and asks me “how’s your family doing”. I answer his question and we shake hands as he move on to the next person.

I stand totally bewildered then I snap to my senses and realize he has announced he is running for Sheriff. So now I understand why he showing up with his happy, I really care poker face on. It’s all about convincing me to forget about Talbert and how he offers a new improved Sheriffs department with the end of Talbert’s term.

I deliver some paperwork and clear over hear another person trying a sales pitch for Sgt. Ferguson on two captive correction officers. Oh the promises that are made for a vote and they are never fulfilled immediately comes to my mind. I make my escape and head for the exit only to be greeted by a senior ranking officer. He slaps on his happy boy face, shakes my hand and wishes me a good day. What? Huh? He normally could care less! Then I remember, he has been sucking up to one of the candidates in hopes of a Majors job.

I safely make it out of the political jungle to the safety of the street. I then stop and give thanks that I don’t have to assume the role playing of Jekyll and Hyde to get people to support me. I’m just satisfied being a servant of the people and focus on doing my job rather than putting on a false persona as these people do..

HCSD 34-XX

This is so funny and true! I had a candidate ask my son Saturday, "hows your family doing and to have your dad call him sometime".... This is after he told him that he was running for sheriff.........I knew the guy from 20 plus years ago and he hasnt cared for 20 years. Now he wants to be my buddy because I can vote in the election. Dont think so, it cost him a vote.

Anyone know which candidate the local FOP will be backing?? I hear that the support of the fop is a good thing for any sheriff candidate.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Anyone know which candidate the local FOP will be backing?? I hear that the support of the fop is a good thing for any sheriff candidate.

Not always true.................... They supported Beatty and we seen how he turned out by his second term. One of his top admin was out of control wife beating, girlfriend visiting, bullying patrol division while Beatty was chasing after another political position. He knew what was going on and he failed to fix it........................ The only hope I have seen was Rogers until people figured out Capt. Hargrove was going to be his Major. Given Hargroves history of backstabbing and being two faced it will cost Rogers dearly at the poles.

As I read these post I dont see the question asking if the FOP endorsement ment that the winner would be a good sheriff. The question was asked which candidate would get the enorsement and that the fact that the FOP shows support for a candidate is a good thing to help Win the election. I think that is true, people like to vote for candidates that law enforcement support, so yes having the FOP back you is good in a sheriff election.

If I were to guess, I would say they will back Tarrh.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

As I read these post I don't see the question asking if the FOP endorsement meant that the winner would be a good sheriff. The question was asked which candidate would get the endorsement and that the fact that the FOP shows support for a candidate is a good thing to help Win the election. I think that is true, people like to vote for candidates that law enforcement support, so yes having the FOP back you is good in a sheriff election.

Yes it is a good endorsement to have if running for Sheriff. But the other poster has a good point also. When the FOP threw their weight behind Beatty it was done in belief he would be a great 2 term Sheriff. So in other words just because any group supports a candidate it doesn't mean 100% the will be the best choice or do the job as expected.

Unfortunately 60% plus of the public could care less who wins the Sheriffs race. Most people only care that when they call the Sheriffs department that they get someone to respond. I'm hearing the rumor that the FOP is supporting Rich Ferguson for Sheriff over Steve Rogers. One reason was that Rogers has never been a member or supported the FOP. A lot of officers feel Steve is a good, loyal deputy, but it is time for him to move on since he hasn't been on the street most of his career. Another fear about Rogers is that he will make Shf. Marty Talbert or Lt. Greg Hargrove his Major. According to most officers Hargrove is known for bring two faced and Marty's quirky actions speak for themselves.

As far as the other people claiming they are running (Capt. Harold Vincent, Sgt. Todd Everling and ISP. Mike Tarrah), I suggest you take a hard look at them. Vincent has a horrible past, Everling has ZERO experience and don't get along with Kokomo Police and Mike Tarrah although a good guy has a ISP background and no experience in county government.

This is going to be an election to watch. It boils down to Ferguson and Rogers and the job they do selling themselves.

I hear this a lot from officers in many counties, the troopers are not connected to local law enforcement and government. Is this true of all the trooper candidates? If so then they should have a hard time running. It is true that most are not from the counties where they are now running for sheriff, meaning they are not home grown. But does that matter?? I know they did well in the last election cycle winning in almost every county they ran in, but now here we are 8 years later and most cops are sick of State Trooper Sheriffs....So now what??

Originally Posted by Hoosier angler

Yes it is a good endorsement to have if running for Sheriff. But the other poster has a good point also. When the FOP threw their weight behind Beatty it was done in belief he would be a great 2 term Sheriff. So in other words just because any group supports a candidate it doesn't mean 100% the will be the best choice or do the job as expected.

Unfortunately 60% plus of the public could care less who wins the Sheriffs race. Most people only care that when they call the Sheriffs department that they get someone to respond. I'm hearing the rumor that the FOP is supporting Rich Ferguson for Sheriff over Steve Rogers. One reason was that Rogers has never been a member or supported the FOP. A lot of officers feel Steve is a good, loyal deputy, but it is time for him to move on since he hasn't been on the street most of his career. Another fear about Rogers is that he will make Shf. Marty Talbert or Lt. Greg Hargrove his Major. According to most officers Hargrove is known for bring two faced and Marty's quirky actions speak for themselves.

As far as the other people claiming they are running (Capt. Harold Vincent, Sgt. Todd Everling and ISP. Mike Tarrah), I suggest you take a hard look at them. Vincent has a horrible past, Everling has ZERO experience and don't get along with Kokomo Police and Mike Tarrah although a good guy has a ISP background and no experience in county government.

This is going to be an election to watch. It boils down to Ferguson and Rogers and the job they do selling themselves.