What's complicating things is that next year is an election year and no fewer than 9 Democrats have thrown their badges into the appointment and election rings. The Bernalillo County Commission is controlled by Democrats, so there shouldn't be a problem... right?
Wrong. Commissioners - particularly Commissioners Armijo, De La Cruz, and Hart-Stebbins - are reluctant to choose any Democrat who's actually planning a run for Sheriff. At the very least, appointing one of the 9 would give that candidate a decisive edge in the Democratic primary. And since there isn't a single Republican that has asked for the appointment (perhaps an opportunity there), the Democrats on the commission are looking elsewhere for potential candidates.
According to our Eyes, commissioners are looking at the old old sheriff to replace the soon-to-be new old sheriff. Former Sheriff Joe Bowdich is currently serving as the "civilian chief" over at APD - it's a job without a job description, responsibilities, or duties but it pays well. Commissioners have hit on the idea that Bowdich would be the perfect interim-Sheriff and frankly we don't disagree. It might even save the city over $100,000 by vacating a position that has outlived its usefulness.
[Sidebar]More importantly for the Democrats on the commission, it allows them not to be seen as choosing the next sheriff. Of course there's nothing to guarantee that any of the 9 Democrats who have asked for the appointment will win the job next year or even that the next elected sheriff will be a Democrat, but at least the Armijo, De La Cruz, and Hart-Stebbins, won't be accused of favoritism or blamed for a November loss.
Nothing against Bowdich but, he was in fact brought in to provide cover for the evidence room scandal. The former sheriff was certainly a respected former law enforcement officer but his purpose as a "civilian chief" was to lend needed credibility and restore confidence in APD. Bowdich's position was created for political reasons - to provide cover for the Chavez administration - not functional reasons.
Like most government positions created for political purposes, their usefulness is short lived except as a position to reward supporters.
[End Sidebar]
No matter how it pans out, it looks like the sheriff shuffle will result in a sheriff who really doesn't want the job - at least not long-term. After all, county commissioners are politicians and they're not going to willingly hurt their political future.
23 comments:
$100,00!!?? Yay new APD cars that actually run! Or, new mechanics that actually FIX!
Bowdich couldn't lead a dog on a leash!!
JHC !!!!!!!!!!!
Retire already. We need new blood, not the samre old enemics running things. Just like this new administration; get rid of ALL, ALL of marty's at-will, unclassified employees. They were loyalists to the end of a filthy rotten regime. NO YOU CANT STAY. Be gone! put in new people with morals and integrity.
If it IS time for change as the voters wanted , THEN DO IT.
It's our turn now. Get out.
Bowdich turned BCSO into a a top notch organization when he was there. He is supportive of the officers, accessible and has common sense. He'd be perfect for interim sheriff.
Bowdich is a very moral person. I agree he is a perfect candidate.
Yea thats what Im talking about, plz take Bowdich out of APD, wake him up first.
I like Mrs Amato. She has good public speakig skills and owes no one anything.
Bowdich is a joke! Just ask anyone who has witnessed him sleeping (8 hrs a day) at APD! And no he doesn't have morals, look at the company that he keeps!
Conrad or Catro for Chief. Eden would be a disaster
Castro for Chief. Don't recall him donating any big sum of money to Berry.
He put all of his capital in Marty this go around, until election day when he went running around like a puss telling everyone he's a born again Republican.
He's the ultimate ass kiss boot licker.
Go see if you can go buy the Sheriff's job since even Sal Balogna is feathering his nest in Darrens new tent.
Oh just so you know, $4000 + $2000
wont buy you sqwat Mike.
The range is available; can probably buy in for about a grand.
Where's Sal Barigiola(or whatever) think he's going?
We're all a tither. Packing up his shit like a sailor going on Liberty.
Yeah, but Sal will get 100K while the 'bus bitch' only get's about
18K.
"Anonymous said...
Conrad or Catro for Chief. Eden would be a disaster
October 22, 2009 5:35:00 PM MDT"
Only to those who don't want the lights turned on and are afraid of turning this department around for the better...
Conrad should know better about campaigning for BCSO Sheriff while in uniform and still a public employee...prohibited practice per the Hatch Act...
I vote for Andy Griffith for Sheriff. He can even bring Barney Fife if he wants!
I thought the Hatch Act pertained to Federal Government employees not local or city government. Just wondering....
I have to give the County Commission 2 thumbs up for thinking about the Future of the SO and not wantign to give anyone a leg up in the election.
Ol' Sheriff Joe never real hurt anyone when he was the Sheriff before. Deputy Cheif Linthicum runs the Department, we just need someone to sit there and be a figure head.
Not a bad gig for anyone who wants to get a paycheck for nothing over the next 12 months... and whoever spoke up for Geraldine Amato... we don't want tie dye uniforms and flowers instead of bullets!
Sheriff Shuffle
I am hearing that there is talk of a “place holder” for the Sheriff’s Job and the Commission does not want to name someone who is going to run in the 2010 election. That being said, there is talk of a 26 year true to the “tan” guy, worked his way up the through ranks, is well respected and is running the Department anyway. I hear tell that his name is being batted around but the Commission is worried about appointing someone who does not live in the County. Heck, then you would think that is a perfect fit, he can’t run for the position, he does not reside in the County! The way I read the law, the Commission can appoint basically anyone that is a qualified elector within the state.
This guy is all business, sets a high bar, and gets the job done with little or no nonsense and doesn’t plaster himself on the news like the others. He supports the troops and is not pressured into decisions by politics and does not wear a blue uniform. The County Commission should do the right thing for the County and the Department. This guy has spent 26 years serving and protecting the people of the County….. Deputy Chief Linthicum is the guy!
Anonymous Anonymous said...
I thought the Hatch Act pertained to Federal Government employees not local or city government. Just wondering....
Applies to non-federal governments if they receive federal funding...
Dave Linthicum? Are you kidding. May as well bring back Gallagher.
Well the list gets longer and longer as the line slithers up trying to take a peek at what will never be. There are only 2 candidates that will pass the smell test, Sanchez and Saenz, the rest are just a bunch of wanna be leaders!! Some of them have never even supervised employees-Nunez I want to work in every Dept. I can find until I find one that will keep me. Get a stable work history and then come talk to us. Manny, a baby Capt., not even wet behind the ears, can't handle it, nice guy tho, then Stanley pulled out, he was good by doing the right thing regarding following the law (Hatch act) it applies here, and on and on!!!! And Conrad, he got dropped from Marshall's job, wonder what they found? The rest are not even worth mention here, way out of their league, my money goes with the 2 honest cops.
You have GOT to be kidding that Bowdich is a respected LE officer. He SLEPT through his term at the SO and he would no more back up his deputies than Schultz backs up APD street officers. Bowdich would sell his soul before he'd back up a deputy if it meant it was better for him. He supported DEA, McWethy and the US attorney AND tried to help cover up the rape of two young children in ABQ because the pedophile was a DEA informant. You people forget too quickly. He abd McWethy allowed the US attorney to threaten to arrest the detectives on the case. Please tell me you have GOT to be kidding.....what a worthless POS.
you people don't even know what you are talking about. Linthicum...OMG..20 years with him "working his way up the ranks" was way way enough..you just don't know him....Ask around about his character(morals)talk to people that were and I mean WERE his friends when he was known as "Baby" Find out if he still even speaks to them. There is alot that is beneath that white toothed grin and perfect hair.
Bowdich is too old and has no clue! he needs to retire!
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