47°About 20 HCSO members surprise commissioners
Dec 15
2011
About 20 members of the Huron County Sheriff's Office made a surprise visit to the county commissioners meeting Thursday.
The group, which included Sheriff Dane Howard, as well as command staff and deputies, were there because of their concerns over the preliminary 2012 sheriff's office budget as proposed by the commissioners.
The deputies who attended were off-duty. The command staff were there to talk budget.
Though a great deal of numbers were tossed around during the meeting, Howard indicated the proposed budget would cut the sheriff's office about $350,000 and could ultimately lead to the layoff of more than 10 officers.
Howard called the proposed cuts "arbitrary" and added that money exists in other county funds which could improve the sheriff's office situation.
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11:16 AM
arnmcrmn says
After watching that clip, a couple of the guys on this board remind me a whole lot of a couple guys that USE to be on the board in the private community I live it. Their tone and mannerism is just hard to watch and listen to.11:36 AM
6079 Smith W says
@ arnmcrmn: You live in a "private community" with an association board? Must be sweet to be you.Your anecdote on the other hand is rather meaningless as the consequences of the HCC's decisions are further reaching and affect many more people than some little association located somewhere.
Lots of current stories in the news about local govts. suffering serious financial problems. The OH and Huron Co. economies need to pick up or most of these blue-sky comments are gonna be nothing but hot air.
As has been said: Money talk, bs walks.
06:38 PM
kelodhl says
you are right smith. These 3 have a line of BS except for Mr bobblehead. He just sits there clueless. ASk yourself why they were salting away 1 million dollars. If it wasn't for the auditor calling them to task in the newspaper they might have gotton away with hiding the money for use on their own private ventures. You elected the sherrif to protect and serve this county. While the comms gave themselves a raise in 2011, everybody else's wages were frozen. After these 3 screwed up the sheriff's vehicle purchase for 2011, he had every right to question these 3 bafoons.10:16 AM
6079 Smith W says
@ kelodhl: You're right. Perhaps a new crop of "buffoons" will find that money tree orchard, pick some fruit, make everyone's dreams come true and the gentle residents of Huron Co. can live happily ever after.04:52 PM
retired says
And in what "orchard" do you think the money for the general revenue fund grows, Mr. Smith W ?09:51 AM
arnmcrmn says
Oh believe me, Im in total agreement. Sounds like there might need to be some new blood on this board.12:08 PM
Lillie Chaos says
My thoughts: Commissioners were developing a private stash. Instead of budgeting line by line in a traditional manner it appears they played the cushion game and got caught in the middle of early predictions of again cutting the Sheriff's budget. There were no reports of additional funds requested for any specific purpose. Sheriff was working the best he could with what he had to work with. You can NEVER condemn that depart for standing united as a close knit group......you need that with a group of people who need to depend on each other. I find it disparaging that I can't stand with my governing board. Everyone needs back up in this life. If appears our Sheriff has the county for backup.........maybe he earned it. Commissioners? Not so much. They may be more adapt at trying to smooze the public.. Actions speak louder than words.02:47 AM
love it in pink says
Perphaps, The county's cities Police Chief's and the Sheriff could work together on their budgets. This could be benficial to all.11:52 AM
LCP88 says
Every city or village should keep their own department, and maybe some of the townships should go back to constables! That would reduce the amount of coverage area, Dane, and his officers need to cover in the county. Maybe then he could work with his budget! If Sheriff Howard was so concerned he would need to lay off officers why is he hiring so many new deputies? He even hired a new deputy this month on DEC. 1, 2011.. What was wrong with all the deputies he let go that used to work for the department, that went on to other LE agencies? So why all the new ones, with no experience? ( Or maybe we should cancell the Sheriff's office completely and go back to a Territorial Marshall! LOL! that was just a joke! )11:02 AM
arnmcrmn says
Maybe, just maybe he hired a couple new hands because he had a couple leave (I think retired or switched areas) Because that is exactly what happened.10:26 AM
6079 Smith W says
Sheriff’s Dept. personnel have shown the way.If any county dept. suffers budget cuts, the employees should show up en mass at a council meeting, demand that the HCC should pick some "fruit" at the "money tree orchard" and miraculously restore funding.
11:10 AM
blessusall says
No miracles needed. With the county revenue up one million dollars more than an estimate by the county auditor for 2011, why is it that going into 2012 would you need to roll back budgets to 2010 levels? I'm all for watching tax dollars, but it doesn't appear that this bidget is being well thought out or put together.12:21 PM
kelodhl says
That is because the two bafoons and mr bobblehead are using their own new model, or formula for budget allocation. Instead of using the model they had successfully been using for years, Mr intelect (Silcox) and his sidcekick, Bauer can shoot from the hip, dole out money however they like, and nobody will be the wiser. The sheriff was well within his right. Procrastination by these two idiots is the reason the sheriff only received two vehicles instead of the seven they could have acquired this year for just about the same price. make these two accountable by voting them out of office in November. I'll bet you there are more questionable actions on their part. All one has to do is scratch the surface.12:30 PM
Lillie Chaos says
Maybe they are watching too much Broadwalk Empire!10:07 AM
dontcare says
Why didn't they do their homework before they put out a preliminary budget. Wasn't this a little irresponsible and didn't they expect a reaction.09:57 AM
arnmcrmn says
Whats funny is that you people do not realize that anyone can show up to a public meeting. The Sheriff has a legit concern. A budget cut means jobs being cut.10:59 AM
retired says
You are 100% correct.12:28 PM
arnmcrmn says
.....and then when response time to calls are even more delayed because they had to lay off more deputies, the Sheriff is going to be the one criticized first. Sounds like a total lose/lose scenario.06:02 PM
kelodhl says
you have all seemed to have forgotten about the million dollars that the commissioners so convieniently held back from their budget funding allocations claiming it was to be used for insurance increases. The auditor caught their actions a few days before the sherriff showed up to confront the three queens. Silcox's little show of emotions was nothing more than a display for the camera. Notice how quick he recovered. Bauer has been a commissioner for 3 years yet only now is he interested in knowing the deputies who represent the county. Give me a break. Get rid of these two bafoons at the next election. Don't forget you also elected the sherriff to protect the residents of this county. If that means at times he has to address a few other beauocrats, in order to do his job, then so be it09:42 PM
VerbalKint says
swiss family says "I would have to say, that although I am NOT a big supporter of the current Sheriff, I do not think that this was a show of intimidation,..."You could not be more wrong:
The Sheriff's Office was not on the agenda and showed up completely by surprise....in addition the media was also there even though they rarely appear to meetings and there were no appointments on the Commissioner's agenda.
08:58 AM
retired says
Well, you don't really need to be on the agenda. If you have seen an agenda, you will notice there is a "public comment" time scheduled at 9:30am. No appointment is neccessary. Anyone may just show up at that time and surprise the commissioners. And probably more often than not a member of the media attends the meetings.11:11 AM
VerbalKint says
The media rarely attends meetings on site, especially when nothing is on the agenda for that day. Someone had to have tipped of the media beforehand.Both sides probably have been working very hard on the budget and I assume the Commissioners probably felt the Sheriff and his employees understood that they are doing their best...emotions can run high when bombarded by a large group of people who seem to feel you are against them when instead you are doing what is best for all county departments and Huron County.
Not on the agenda, elected official and staff of 20, media on site, and a total surprise to the board....make of it what you will.
11:58 PM
Lillie Chaos says
Why should anyone be intimidated by the Sheriff or his staff? Maybe Dane Howard is not perfect but he is a good law enforcement agent doing a good job in this county. Our commissioners got caught being less than honest with their figures and explanations. Of course, only MY opinion. "Total surprise" to the board........more like a wake up call to all of us.02:30 AM
swiss family says
you obviously have your opinion, as I have mine.... just because a person, or even a group of people show up at any commissioners meetings does not necessarily make it an intimidation.. I also believe that the newspaper was told about the show of solidarity by the workers of the Sheriffs department, and decided tio show up, because anything could have happened there.. obviously when any group shows up , along with the newspaper, the commissioners are going to feel like they are being viewed under the microscope, but it does not mean that they should feel threatened.................. So if and when a group of citizens shows up at city council meetings, you think that it is a threatening display???09:04 PM
jack langhals says
Hey Jack,i could probably go and write a book like Swiss,but I will just say Amen! Now Swiss, before your blood pressure goes up,I am just kidding!09:19 PM
swiss family says
just curious.. when you start out your blog by saying "hey jack" are you asking yourself a question??? are you talking about yourself in the third person??? oh and I am just kidding as well... or am I ???09:45 PM
Kottage Kat says
@ Swiss, That would make him co-jack.02:24 AM
swiss family says
that is a good one.. Cat... gotta give ya credit for that one...07:15 AM
Marcus M says
swiss & kat, do we have a budding romance? How could it be intimidation when a large group or OFF DUTY officers show up in UNIFORM, happens all the time. They needed to be in uiform to "show of solidity and unity?"10:56 AM
swiss family says
Marcus.. please grow up just because i complimented Cat on one blog does not mean anything except a compliment... or if you are actually in the 3rd grade, be patient, and you will realize how immature your actions are........................................So, by your comment,, are you suggesting that when the parents met with the VFW leaders in their baseball uniforms, that was a threatening move on their part????? if a cub scout master, takes his cub scouts in uniform to a meeting, they are there to intimidate??? if veterans show up in uniform for any meeting, that too is a show of threat??? I do not think it is .. I think it is a display of unity....12:32 PM
Marcus M says
swiss, chill out, are your depends twisted? VFW kids in baseball uniforms, cub scouts compared to OFF DUTY Police officers in UNFORM. Your unity, my intimidation, we can only agree to disagree......07:22 PM
samsmith says
I agree! Dane isn't the same guy! He is so full of himself! He thinks he's wonderful! Too bad the rest of the voters don't agree! HE WIlL NOT GET MY VOTE ThIS TIME! Anyone hear of anyone running against him?04:00 PM
arnmcrmn says
I will be voting for him :)08:57 PM
topdog247 says
Sorry samsmith we have him for another term. :(04:57 PM
swiss family says
I would have to say, that although I am NOT a big supporter of the current Sheriff, I do not think that this was a show of intimidation, as much as it was a show of solidity and unity , by the men and women who's lives would be affected by the results of this budget in my opinion02:39 PM
sunshine 0604 says
Ansrme, I have known Sheriff Howard for many many years now and watched him take his job very serious and handle business in a professional manner. I have lived in Huron County my entire life and for once I know my taxpayer is going for a good cause and not to pay cops to sit around and drink coffee like before. Would we really ever want to go back to the prior administration??? Look at how much that office has accomplished under Sheriff Howard in the three years he has been in office. Sheriff Howard I want to thank you for all you have done and there is no doubt you will be getting my vote in 2013!!!09:25 AM
sunshine 0604 says
ANSRME you seem to be bashing the Sheriff's Office a lot. If they are so bad at what they do then why did you call them to handle YOUR theft complaint? Also maybe I am wrong, but since when did Huron County get their own drug task force? Everytime you read an drug bust in the newspaper regarding the office in states them being part of Metrich. Oh and one last thing please inform me who has left to go to other agencies? The only person I can think of is Lt. McLaughlin and that was due to retirement. You honestly think she would leave the county to go to a Village Police Department? I think you need to get your FACTS straight before you start running your mouth on here as usual. It's funny how people on regular basis bash the Sheriff's Office and local police departments until the day they need them and then they are their best friends!!!01:32 PM
LCP88 says
Sunshine, first I am not bashing the Sheriff's Office, I will however let you know what I think of Dane Howard! Until the day he gives me a apology for what he has done to me, and my business! That I will keep off the blogs, he knows what he did! I should have sued him in court, but chose not to so I would not be a target of his vandetta again! He is not the same Dane ANDY Howard, I knew before he entered politics! I support all the Deputies, Police officers, and their departments, and all LE, including those in my family who still work for LE in Huron Co. Departments including HCSO! And who am I to call, when the Sheriff's office is the only LE in my township?? I have no choice but to call HCSO! So if you want to e-mail me thru the reflector I will be glad to inform you which officers have left the HCSO for other departments! I have never been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime, and also no traffic violations! I pay taxes and vote too! We need another candidate for Sheriff in 2012!08:07 AM
Marcus M says
If we accept that this was not intimidation and except the command officers the majority of officer were off duty. Why then were they in uniform, my family members and friends in law enforcement only wear their uniform on duty or when serving in a official capacity, court, etc. We all support law enforcement, we shouldn't support bully tactics. Norwalk has had their issues over the past few years with contract and budgets, but I never saw or read about them showing up at council in uniform en mass, it's called professionalism, which starts at the top.10:37 PM
signersdecendant says
Enough bashing the commissioners, they have a job to do also! The problem is the Show of Force, by intimidation by the Sheriff and his officers, like they all knew when and where to show up with out being informed when! The problem is so many officers have left the department, and all the grant money is used up. And if the hire was to work under grant money for a time and then be hired, but now there is no money to continue their employment! Dane, YOU may have to pay back all the grant money the department used! So guess those deputies will not be getting the new uniforms promised them, better get all the equipment turned in from those leaving so they can have old shirts! Quit complaining, you are not the first or last Sheriff who will have budget cuts! Maybe you should let some medical retirements happen for those eating up the health cost! How many cruizers have been wrecked? How many lawsuits are filed? How much overtime are your officers putting in that is eating the budget to death? And how do we taxpayers find out which line items in your budget should be reviewed. I am sure there could be cuts, and trimming of the belt if you put your mind to it and quit complaining! Wish we had another candidate for Sheriff in 2012!12:41 AM
Marcus M says
signersdecendant, great comment. What we need is a sheriff that has the knowledge to manage a budget, something we have not had for many years since Sheriff Borgia left office.11:53 PM
Lillie Chaos says
@Signer You have no concept of a "show of force" you are doing the very thing you are accusing the Sheriff's department of doing. You have a right to an opinion but no right to deny others that right. How much in taxes did you pay last year? What is YOUR connection to these commissioners who are expecting/demanding our already lean protection agency to take additional cuts? You must live in town with no concept of life in the county except the politian's view of self-indulgence. We are a community here. I will not be voting for any incumbent commissioner but I will vote to sustain our sheriff's department each and every time. That is my right. I pay taxes and have for more years than I care admit. I go way back to the Borgia days and I have found no reason to complain about our law enforcement and resent those who are attempting to curtail it.07:01 AM
LCP88 says
@Lillie, you are so wrong! Signer lives in the county, has been a LE family for decades, supports their LE to the best of their ability. They have no connection to the commissioners! They are not showing any force, or accusing anyone of self-indulgence. They pay taxes just like any other voter, who expects public safety. So if you are so DANE HOWARD, maybe you should look a little closer at what is wrong with his administration! How many officers have left his department, Early retirement in their 50's, terminated with out charges, or at his will! How many officers have left for other departments? Why did so many retire or leave this administration in the last 3 years? Why are not some crimes solved or charges brought? Come on there are dopers out there that could be taken off the street every day, they know who they are! So why does this administration need it's own Drug Task Force, and not Metrich? Which has been working for years, with quite effective officers? I pay taxes also, on more than 1 rural property, been a victim of more than one theft, and so why no charges? I'snt it my right to be protected by the HCSO? It is signers right also, a dear friend of mine, who can not log back in on NR, Maybe Lillie you really need to know what goes on in LE in Huron Co. from a LE Family!03:13 PM
Lillie Chaos says
Yes, absolutely.....if a credible, tax paying, ethical member of this community could sincerely advise of issues that I am not aware of I would like to know. I have only my own personal experience to form my opionions. I am not a member of anyone's family or even personal friend of anyone in the department.05:12 PM
sentimental_pride says
Seems Commissioner HINTZ is a MAN OF MANY WORDS and I am not very impressed with anything he has done in office I hope someone runs against him and puts him out of office.04:34 PM
blessusall says
Hintz should have never been put in office! Wonder why this board is having problems with the budget? Think about it.05:05 PM
johngalt57 says
The surprise will come when Larry, Curley, and Moe are voted out of office at some point. These three are some of the most ineffective politicians I have ever met and I am in their party!04:32 PM
pillowpants says
For those asking about the Union Rep in the room, I beleive he is. Last I heard it was Capt. Patrick. Thought I seen him in there04:24 PM
jack langhals says
How many complaints were there last year,when the hours were cut for the other departments?As far as politics go ,as soon as something don't go your way,you start screaming politics.First of all if it were about politics, it wouldn't be in his best interest to pick on a Safety department!02:43 PM
Marcus M says
Would be interested to know how many pro sheriff department comments are from members of HCSO, family members and supporters of Silcox's opponent?