Dickerson is the candiate for change. He will cover more then 12 hours a day with his patrol deputies. He will have an evaluation program in place for his patrol deputies. His deputies will receive better more regular training. Go to dickers4sheriff.com to learn more about his campaign.

I hope someone can change that department, their service now stinks!

I understand that Dickerson wants to change a lot of things within the Sheriff's Office. I also have listened to what he has to say about different topics. He states that he is willing to accept a pay cut to take the position of Sheriff. In his questions and answering section of his web site it shows that he is wanting to hire a Jail Superintendent to run the Jail and states “Having the proper person in charge of such a facility will take a reasonable investment in employee costs that will easily be offset by jail bed rentals.” This will require a substantial pay raise for the Jail Commander. Since the Sheriff has to make more than his highest paid employee this would also give the Sheriff himself a healthy pay raise. It appears that this is in an attempt for Mr. Dickerson to not have to take such a large pay raise. He and his campaign manager both have stated that all of the Deputies and employees of the Sheriff’s Office need a significant increase in pay, because the more money that you pay the better person and job you receive out of that employee. It appears to me that Mr. Dickerson is out after a pay raise before he even takes office, is this the king of things that Columbia County expects and wants out of a Sheriff who will be the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the County? I think that money would be better spent if it was used to increase the number of Patrol Deputies on duty instead of giving pay raises. I believe that if you want more money than the job pays do not attempt to get the job in the first place, you should be willing to accept what they offer.

Trooper Moyer, Where is Trooper Dickerson's web site. I tried to go to dickers4sheriff.com , & it brings me here.?????

Andy Moyer wrote:

Dickerson is the candiate for change. He will cover more then 12 hours a day with his patrol deputies. He will have an evaluation program in place for his patrol deputies. His deputies will receive better more regular training. Go to dickers4sheriff.com to learn more about his campaign.

Also tried dickerson4sheriff.com and that blog is shut down.

I just went to Dickerson's Website and it was up and running just fine. He has a long list of endorsements. www.dickerson4sheriff.com

I like what I see on his website. I think Dickerson is who I am leaning for. I have not heard anything from any other candidates and the sheriffs office could use some help thats for sure!

Voter,

There is information out there on at least the best candidate for the job and that is Gerry Simmons. He also has a website gsimmons4sheriff.com . Simmons stands for honesty, integrity, dedication and loyalty to the citizens of Columbia County and the United States. He has the leadership and management experience that is needed to be the Sheriff of Columbia County.
The Sheriff is someone who has to lead and manage people and perform a service to the public, leadership and management experience can only be obtained by actually being in a position to perform those duties. The person that is elected Sheriff is off and running as soon as he steps in and that is not the time gain leadership or management experience, it is hard to think that a person is suited to be a leader or a manager just because they may have read a book or two on being a leader or manager.

From what I understand, Simmons isn't much of a book reader at all. Maybe he should have read something on management and the sheriff's office wouldn't be the poorly run organization that it is.\

Maybe that's why so many people are endorsing his opponent's campaign. I for one am tired of this lackluster agency's attempt to blame their problems on a lack of funding.

Show me something worth supporting, and I'll pay my fair share. But as long as Simmons is running the show on Port Avenue (and he has been, there can be no doubt), the sheriff's office will continue to flounder in a sea of ambivalence and anarchy.

"Bryan" is no doubt the same guy posting platitudes about the sheriff's office on the Spotlight web pages re: the supposed riot at the jail last Wednesday. He is a supervisor at the jail, he says. Well it is obviously where his allegiance lies, and not surprising he would support the administration that butters his bread.

Something needs to change at the sheriff's office, and the current crew is not where we should be looking for answers. I've looked at Dickerson's web site, and I believe he gives us the best chance for change. He's more educated, comes from a more elite, professional organization, and his experience in managment in the business world bodes well for a county that doesn't manage its finances in a business-like way.

go to www.dickerson4sheiff.com , check out the "experience" page and you will see what I mean.

Bryan Columbia County,

I checked out Simmons website, I found no information on what he wants to do or change at the sheriffs office. He seams like the same old thing.

He did state that he wants to make good partnerships with other agencies and to provide good service. If he is the current undersheriff shouldn't he already be doing that. I know first hand that their service is not the best I have had a friend and also a releative who called 911 and got no response from the sheriffs office. Thats not service.

As far as building partnerships he should have already done that as well as the undersheriff for several years. My guess is he has not done very well at that since there are several Mayors, Cops, Firefighters, and Dispatcher endorsing Dickerson, can you explain that. I did not see any endorsments on Simmons website.

Dickerson also has more to offer then just reading a few books according to his experience page. Maybe you (Bryan) should read a little more. But if the above poster (Avid Reader) is true then I can see why you like Simmons, because you work for him.

Voter,

I do work for him and I know what he has to offer. Dickerson has no experience at leading anyone or anybody. His only experience other than being a Senior Trooper with OSP is working for his family business. Oh ya he is now the treasurer of his families business. It most be nice to be on a board where the family member is the President of the Company.
He has never taken the opportunity to step up into a management role in 20 years, what makes anyone think he can even do it.
I have read everything on Mr. Dickerson and listen to him speak in person. I can tell you that research can be very rewarding. Look up some of the things that he is saying and then re-read the information. He is not a magician and can not pull the rabbit out of the hat, he has no idea on how to run an organization especially not a Sheriff's Office.
Everyone has an opinion and facts are what counts.

Bryan Columbia County,

Yes, Simmons has "been there", but what has he "done". And you never explaines why everyone is endorsing Dickerson. It seems to me ther service from the sheriffs office has gotten worse of the last few years and thats when Simmons has been "Leading" them.

You say Dickerson has no idea how to run a sheriffs Office, but according to his website he has lots of ideas. Proof is in the pudding for sure, his ideas may not work but he does have ideas.

Based on the present and past service from the sheriffs office I see evidence that Simmons is not doing so hot in running the sheriffs office.

Bryan,
As a business owner myself, I resent your implications that someone who has a successful family business is unable to run a government office. The problem with most government today is it is NOT run like a business. A government of, by and for the people would do well to tap the wisdom and strength of a "family business" that, if you read Dickerson's web page, is a multi-million dollar affair with "employees in three states."

But the real point of your obfuscation is to take away from the fact that Simmons has turned the sheriff's office into the laughing stock of the county. He has failed miserably as the number 2 guy. Who in their right mind would make him number 1?

Do so many "public safety servants" on Dickerson's web page know something that you don't. Methinks so.

I'm new to this page. Don't know either of the candidates. I don't care if someone has been a manager before or not. I have had lots of managers who couldn't lead. When it comes to politics, I look for ideas. Who has the best ideas? Who is bold enough to stand on these ideas in an election? I will be checking out both candidates, and looking for the one with the ideas that make sense and demonstrate the qualities I want a sheriff to have.

I am not down playing any form of business owner, I have respect for anyone who operates there own business. It is a good thing and takes a some extremely hard work and dedication on the part of the business owner.

I do not think that a person who works for his family business has the requirements to be in charge of an entire organization without the proper training.

I do not believe that the Sheriff's Office is the laughing stock of the County. I believe that there are a lot of good people who work for Columbia County Sheriff's Office. I resent the statement that we are the laughing stock of the County. Law Enforcement is a chosen profession that is needed in all areas of the world and there are many dedicated individuals who work for the Sheriff's Office.

I think that it is easy for people from the outside to think that things are not being done as they should be. For example how will Dickerson impact the Sheriff's Office when he has no money to get the things done that he believes need to be done. The pot of gold under the rainbow is still there and I do not see him getting to it any more than the current administration.

Everyone wants to believe that Mr. Dickerson has done so much for his community and for his agency, he has never been in a leadership role or management role to even know what happens in those positions.

Have you looked up the company that he worked for, the Portland Office on the internet shows 15 employees with an income of 1.9 million dollars. That is great and the people running that organization deserve a lot of respect and they have mine as well, Great job.

I am also new to this page. So far after checking out both candidates web sites, Dickersons seems very impressive with his goals, experience, and HUGE list of endorsements. When I went to Simmons web site, I found only a list of accreditations, some that were from more than 30yrs ago. You are wanting support for Simmons and so I was hoping to see his list of public safety supporters. Where are they? You stated that you work with Simmons, maybe on my behalf you would ask him to update his web page with his endorsements. This county is in desperate need of change. I find it very interesting that so many public safety employees are endorsing Dickerson. They MUST be aware of the need for change and I'm certain that they would not have endorsed this canditate without doing their own research.
So where might Dickerson get the money to back the things he wants to do as Sheriff? I personally have no idea, but as a tax payer, I would certainly be willing to vote appropriately for a tax levy if the voters elect a sheriff that has the personality, drive, determination, and insight to make this county sheriffs office what is has the potential to be, one that the citizens are proud to support!

I assume you are referring to the current Sheriff as not doing his job. You will never find a better person or Sheriff that could every represent any organization that Sheriff Derby. He is the most honest and dedicated individual that anyone could every find. This individual has put everything into the Sheriff's Office and Columbia County.
There will be endorsements on the Simmons Web site as soon as everyone who supports him signs the proper paperwork needed to actually use their name. I can tell you that Simmons stands for Honesty, Dedication and Loyalty. Both the Sheriff , the Under Sheriff and the employees of the Sheriff's Office have tried to pass a levy and it failed every time that counted. The next Sheriff will face the same situations and he will have to make do with the staffing levels that we currently have if he is lucky.

"I assume you are referring to the current Sheriff as not doing his job. You will never find a better person or Sheriff that could every represent any organization that Sheriff Derby. He is the most honest and dedicated individual that anyone could every find. This individual has put everything into the Sheriff's Office and Columbia County."

Huh?? I don't recall stating anything about Sheriff Derby. I was merely referring to the upcoming election, which is what I assumed this thread was about.

I have viewed the web sites of the two candidates mentioned here. One website is well put together and the other is a hodge podge of meaningless drivel. One website is filled with proposals for improving the sheriff's office and one has nothing substantive at all. One website demonstrates organization, good articulation and vision, and the other lacks any apparent forethought at all into its content.
You say that Mr. Simmons will soon have some endorsements listed on his website. What has taken him so long? I assume he's had ample opportunity to match the efforts of Dickerson to put together his impressive list. Is this not just another example of the disorganization we currently see at the sheriff's department?
I've talked to a few people in the know, and what they tell me is that Sheriff Derby and his undersheriff are both great people to know, but not very good leaders. They say the Sheriff should have gotten out of the business four years ago. They say that both men shy away from conflict and are inept at disciplining wayward troops. They say they are like Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With the Wind: "I'll think about THAT tomorrow." Only tomorrow never comes.
Try getting either of them to return a phone call. Try getting anyone at the sheriff's department to respond to a question. Perhaps that's why so many of the promises and plans made by the sheriff's department never seem to happen.
Your own comment is very telling:
"Both the Sheriff , the Under Sheriff and the employees of the Sheriff's Office have tried to pass a levy and it failed every time that counted."
Emphasis should be placed on the word, "FAILED." Yes, they have failed. In more ways than one. I have also heard from those in the know that Sheriff Derby was very upset with the undersheriff for failing to campaign for the last levy. Word is that "Gerry thought he had it locked and didn't put in the time to make sure we got the votes we needed."
A number of people in the know have told me they believe there is a likelihood that a new face with a new vision can muster the support for a levy, because, even with the weakness at the top of the organization, the vote has been very close. A strong personality at the top, they believe will make this come true.
I believe they are right. That's why my vote will be for Dickerson.

Well-- wrote:

I have viewed the web sites of the two candidates mentioned here. One website is well put together and the other is a hodge podge of meaningless drivel. One website is filled with proposals for improving the sheriff's office and one has nothing substantive at all. One website demonstrates organization, good articulation and vision, and the other lacks any apparent forethought at all into its content.
You say that Mr. Simmons will soon have some endorsements listed on his website. What has taken him so long? I assume he's had ample opportunity to match the efforts of Dickerson to put together his impressive list. Is this not just another example of the disorganization we currently see at the sheriff's department?
I've talked to a few people in the know, and what they tell me is that Sheriff Derby and his undersheriff are both great people to know, but not very good leaders. They say the Sheriff should have gotten out of the business four years ago. They say that both men shy away from conflict and are inept at disciplining wayward troops. They say they are like Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With the Wind: "I'll think about THAT tomorrow." Only tomorrow never comes.
Try getting either of them to return a phone call. Try getting anyone at the sheriff's department to respond to a question. Perhaps that's why so many of the promises and plans made by the sheriff's department never seem to happen.
Your own comment is very telling:
"Both the Sheriff , the Under Sheriff and the employees of the Sheriff's Office have tried to pass a levy and it failed every time that counted."
Emphasis should be placed on the word, "FAILED." Yes, they have failed. In more ways than one. I have also heard from those in the know that Sheriff Derby was very upset with the undersheriff for failing to campaign for the last levy. Word is that "Gerry thought he had it locked and didn't put in the time to make sure we got the votes we needed."
A number of people in the know have told me they believe there is a likelihood that a new face with a new vision can muster the support for a levy, because, even with the weakness at the top of the organization, the vote has been very close. A strong personality at the top, they believe will make this come true.
I believe they are right. That's why my vote will be for Dickerson.

To tell the truth, the Simmons website isn't much different than the sheriff's office website: http://www.co.columbia.or.us/sheriff/ . Why even have one, if you don't have much to say about yourself?

I wish Dickerson the best of luck. He SHOULD win this contest. That's when his headaches, will really begin, though.