Jerry Smith to become Butte County sheriff

James_Oroville wrote:

I don’t know Jane Dolan except by name recognition. Also, I know nothing about the Sheriff heir apparent, Jerry. I do thank her for making a prudent observation. The chances of anybody winning against an incumbent aren’t good. If this was an orchestrated move it is brilliant though perhaps sinister. What is the rush to effectively bypass the electoral process? What is the cost?

Mike from Oroville wrote:

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You obviously don't know much on this subject. When Larry Gillick retired, after 30+ years as Sheriff, he supported Leroy Wood to succeed him. Hal Brooks ran against him with the claim of breaking the "good ol' boy network", even though he had been an Investigator in the DA's office. After four years of his mess, the people elected Woody to two terms. Mick Grey was then elected after Woody retired, to two terms and when he retired, his support was for candidate Perry Reniff. But MacKenzie ran him, again claiming to break the "good ol' boy network". After four years of his mess, Sheriff Reniff was elected and re-elected.
Maybe it's not about the "good ol' boy" network at all. More likely, the people who sit in that chair have capability, insight and foresight to pick the most experienced and qualified person they think can handle the pressures and problems associated with the job.

Hey Mike wrote:

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You have NEVER SAT "in that chair" and you have NEVER BEEN a peace officer, so what gives you the capability, insight and foresight to recommend anybody for Sheriff?

Hey Mike wrote:

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You have NEVER SAT "in that chair" and you have NEVER BEEN a peace officer, so what gives you the capability, insight and foresight to recommend anybody for Sheriff?
You are losing control of your good ol'boy network and your desperation is showing. When your house of cards come tumbling down the citizens of Butte County will get a true look at the "evil that lurks" inside of you. And when they get a true look at the "mess" that you have made, you probably will want to retire someplace far away from Butte County.

Time for change wrote:

Mike from Oroville wrote:
"As to the "evil that lurks" inside me... what do you know of me or what "mess" I have made. You are obviously mistaking me for Ramsey...WRONG!".
If he is not the DA, it's nice to know that the DA's evilness is obvious to him. On the other hand if he is not the DA, he is the DA's clone.
Let's see now....Leroy Woods (8 years), Mick Grey (8 years), Scott Mackenzie (4 years) and Perry Reniff (7 1/2 years). The good ol' boys have controlled the Sheriff's Department for all but 4 of the last 27 1/2 years.
IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE !

Gil from Oroville wrote:

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Yep, all law enforcement professionals... And who do you recommend? Jane Dolan?

Justice For Whom wrote:

Okay you start out as a cashier and in 6 or 7 years you become manager, does that mean a 'good Ol boys' network controls the store?
You start out as a fireman and end up chief, does that mean a 'good ol' boy' network is in control?
No it means you've worked hard and are being recognized with a promotion.
If this was any entity other than the Sheriff's Office, no one would bat an eye.
The guy worked hard and now he's being given a shot at the top spot, that is not 'good ol' boy' that is normal business in every organization in America.

Outsider wrote:

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Let me butt in here and recommend John Carrillo, Tony Burdine, Mike Lydon, Scott Mackenzie or any of the other fine law enforcement professionals that we have here in Butte County who are not beholden to the good ol' boys. I would certainly not recommend Jane Dolan.
After all she was the swing vote that appointed super good ol' boy Ramsey to be the DA in the first place.

Another thought wrote:

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Thankfully the office of Sheriff is attained by ELECTION not "promotion".
However, for an incumbent to retire 6 months short of the end of his term so that the incumbency can be turned over to the good ol' boys choice, to maintain the status quo, is fundamentally unfair. Any interim Sheriff appointed from within the Department should have to agree not to become a candidate in the election. Otherwise such an individual should decline the appointment so that he/she can run on her/his own 2 feet and his/her own record without having the significant advantage that the incumbency brings with it. What advantage you say? Once this interim (Smith) appointment is made watch as the good ol' boys beckon their media cronies to do many feel good stories about what a great job that their handpicked candidate is doing. Thus creating a fabricated image, in the public's eye, of the character and capabilities of this individual by election time.
According to several accounts Reniff is a tough cop. He could have stuck it out another year, but to do so would be to deny the good ol' boys choice for Sheriff the advantage and leg up in the next election. Then in the eyes of the good ol' boys Reniff would be seen as a traitor to their cause. And for the good ol' boys this is a fate worse than death.

Gil from Oroville wrote:

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Man, I think you are being unfair. If Sheriff Reniff says he has health problems and has to retire, I believe the man. Like you say, he has the rep of being a tough cop, so I think you are picking at straws to accuse him of being anything but what he says. If his health wasn't an issue he could have easily finished his term, and then recommended and supported Jerry Smith as his replacement.

Another thought wrote:

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That's the way it should be done ! Finish the term and then recommend and support whomever you want. But don't turn over the office, and all the favorable PR that can be generated by the person occupying that office, to the person that you support so that they will have the inside track in the election.
I did not say that Sheriff Reniff "has the rep" I said "according to several accounts" he is a tough cop. Several accounts does not equal a "rep". You say that you "believe the man". Well I don't. And that's ok because we are both entitled to our opinion. My opinion is based on his campaign promise to make pot a low priority and meth a top priority, on his watch. Conversely soon after taking office 2 mexican pot growers were killed by his deputies. And guess what? Eight years later meth is still alive and well in Butte County as are those that are manufacturing the stuff. Butte County can forego a continuation of this kind of law enforcement.

Gil from Oroville wrote:

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Your right, we are both entitled to our opinion. But I don't want to see the guy die in office just to prove a point. Good luck to you, Perry, in retirement.