Dear Editor:
As Hamilton County citizens and voters, we are potential employers to our next Hamilton County Sheriff. That makes the Hamilton County Sheriff’s candidates our applicants for the position we have available.
As an employer, what is the first thing you do when preparing to interview a potential employee? You research said employee’s experience and qualifications in order to compare all prospective candidates for the available position.
As a citizen who will vote for the next Sheriff in 2018, I decided to do just that and conducted some research based on the published facts from each candidate’s websites.
I’ve compiled the data and entered that information into a spreadsheet to compare each “applicant” and determine who will logically be the most capable person to do the job I am hiring him for, the day he enters that office.
I’m a spreadsheet person, I weigh facts, figures and data to come to an educated decision.
Note that I am not taking into consideration any information regarding what the candidates have stated they will do. I take “campaign promises” with a grain of salt, as I’ve learned promises of what they will do, do not always come to fruition. At this point in the job search, I am not as interested in what they say they will do, as I am in what they have done.
Below are my findings. The results make it quite clear which candidate is most qualified and which candidate is least qualified.
Gina Sloderbeck
Atlanta
Please add a coulmn for Doug Carter before he ran for Sheriff. How many marks does he get? 2. He sure was a great Sheriff because he has leadership qualities. Your candidate has appointed positional authority. Do not confuse that with leadership ability. The guy who makes sure the timecards are in isn’t necessarily they best guy to run the organization.
Funny thing is. The person who did this article is a supporter of quakenbush so it’s toally biased. Quakenbush took over Jason Sloderbeck’s campaign when he dropped for reasons that he’s yet to tell everyone of. So good job Gina on your biased article about. From the things I’ve heard about Hamilton county nothing will ever change if Dennis quakenbush wins. He may have a degree but he’s a manager not a leader and will always put himself first not his people
Great research Gina. It is obvious, when looking at each candidate’s qualifications down on paper (a/k/a the famous spreadsheet), you can clearly see who has put forth more effort and time into that department and who is just an “average” employee. Hamilton County needs a sheriff that will be more than just an “average” employee. Don’t settle for average. Vote for the candidate that is obviously above average.
The “above average” candidate isn’t as good as he looks on paper.
Last name is Sloderbeck? Isn’t that the last name of the candidate that dropped out and who’s closely aligned with Quakenbush?
Just doing my research as well…
Does the name Denell Clark ring a bell to anyone? Just curious.
Mr Trout,
I would love to speak with you.
Though I’m glad the title is “one readers opinion” – the article is skewed in nature. The criteria selection chosen seem to be done so to favor “one readers opinion”.
For instance – Bill Clifford may have not been a “city police officer” – but he was a police officer for The Town of Westfield (prior to it becoming a city) before moving to the Sheriffs Office.
Clifford is also a Sergeant which makes him a supervisor whom at any time can and is in charge of the any of the Deputies and Reserve Deputies which is in excess of 50+ personnel. Clifford is also a firearms and taser instructor. Clifford also did attend college at to study criminal justice. However – there is much more to leadership than a formal education.
Please make sure and do your own research using the criteria that is most important to you in making this monumental decision.
Tell us more about this “ordinance”. I’d like to research it
FOP vote was 19. Not full membership. And 9 of those were auxiliary. Can Auxiliary vote now?
l believe Clifford supervises 5 folks (not 50) and l reviewed all the candidates campaign materials too. You are correct…there is an error. Eddie Moore, like Quakenbush, received Mother’s Against Drunk Driving award and like Captain Quakenbush was a Field Training Officer.
I would like to know where you got the number 19 at? There were 55 votes that night to which one candidate took 33 of those, which combined was more than the other 3.
Maybe Becca you need to fact check your source!
If Dennis Quakenbush is SO qualified, why did he wait until after your brother quit the race for “personal” reasons? His support for Quakenbush is not helping him. Morale is in the dumps at the Sheriff’s Office because of the current “leadership.” Our County Commissioners recognize this and had to make an ordinance that should have been a policy because the Sheriff, Chief Deputy, and Patrol Captain (Quakenbush) would not do their jobs. Under your same thought process and checklist, Doug Carter would have not have been the most qualified candidate for Sheriff. He’s probably the best we’ve had in recent years and has gone on to become a GREAT State Police Superintendent. There’s a lot more to factor than the hand-picked list you present to make one candidate appear better than the rest. The Hamilton County FOP overwhelmingly supports one candidate for a reason. They trust him with their future, their families’ futures, and our neighbors’ futures. Talk to the people that have their feet on the street. They will give you a better idea of who’s best for our community.
FULL DISCLAIMER: I am not a resident of Hamilton County. The purpose of this comment is not to express favor for any candidate.
Data is a good thing. Facts are invaluable because they leave little room for emotion. Good citizens should use data and facts to make decisions, especially during elections. Of course, facts alone cannot determine decisions; there often is not a direct link. It’s important to analyze facts for their relevance before jumping to a conclusion. In other words, critical thinking is key.
When reading Ms. Sloderbeck’s letter, I was struck by the legion of logical fallacies and the thinly-veiled bias peeking from behind a tattered curtain of “research” that led to her self-described educated decision. I’ll do my best to address some of the illogic.
Primarily, I find it odd that Ms. Sloderbeck chose to use Mr. Quakenbush’s list of accomplishments as the only metrics by which the other candidates are measured. Of course, election tactics aren’t fair and candidates are almost always measured by their opponents’ achievements, but shouldn’t a citizen purporting to make objective, data-driven decisions strive to do better? Or, at minimum, shouldn’t such a person explain why she chose one candidate’s virtual resume over any other candidate’s – and why such choice was the best way to measure? If you are going to use a resume as a metric, wouldn’t a more effective measure be the resume of a sheriff who has already served and excelled in this position?
On a related note, why is there no extrapolation on the specifics of college degrees? The obvious question is, why does it matter when no statute exists legally requiring a Hamilton County Sheriff to hold any post-secondary degree? If, however, a degree is a necessary requirement, what degrees satisfy Ms. Sloderbeck? Though most can agree a college degree is a useful accomplishment, what makes a sheriff candidate who has a college degree inherently better-suited for the job than one who does not have a college degree? Ms. Sloderbeck would have done better in her analysis if she would have explained why other voters should think this is important.
Why was “15+ years of law enforcement service” chosen as a metric? What is the statistical significance of 15 or more years? Why not 25 years? Why not 10 years? Why not six months? If the “most experience” is a valid metric, then clearly the candidate with the most experience should hold the office. Either I’m missing something, or this is an arbitrary metric.
I could be wrong.
I could be deeply, deeply wrong.
It may be the case that anyone who looks at Ms. Sloderbeck’s spreadsheet of criteria but disagrees with her conclusion is uneducated. After all, that is what Ms. Sloderbeck implied, albeit indirectly, when she stated her manner of analyzing facts, figures, and data is what leads her to an educated decision. Are there other ways to make educated decisions, or must Hamilton County voters rely on Ms. Sloderbeck’s spreadsheets? What if another voter devises a spreadsheet of criteria that directly conflicts Ms. Sloderbeck’s and claims it led that voter to an educated decision? Once again, in creeps the ironically arbitrary nature of Ms. Sloderbeck’s arguments.
I am not questioning Ms. Sloderbeck’s convictions. I am not claiming she is uneducated. I am not suggesting she is dishonest. I do not condone anyone who might make attacks on Ms. Sloderbeck’s character, since character attacks are so frequently the tool of political ridicule. Clearly, she cares about Hamilton County and its future. I applaud her courage and sense of civic duty in writing a letter to the editor, and I encourage others to do so.
I do wish, however, that Ms. Sloderbeck would exercise a more critical analysis of the facts she chooses.
Regardless of what Gina has submitted (based on information the candidates posted about themselves on their websites) Mark Bowen, the current Sheriff of Hamilton County, has also endorsed the candidate he feels is the best qualified to keep Hamilton County moving forward. Mark was also supported by Doug Carter, who obviously has gone on to be an amazing leader for the State. It’s sad that the person who is charged with keeping us safe also has to be subjected to politics (and the lies and dirt slinging that go along with it). Deep pockets do not make a candidate qualified…but sadly it makes their name show up more for people who don’t know any better.
Looks like a certain candidate’s monkeys got loose to bash on someone they can’t dig up dirt on and who doesn’t have skeletons in his closet. All I am saying is watch who you surround yourself with. I certainly wouldn’t want the next sheriff to pick his staff from some of his current supporters pictured in the FOP endorsement picture.
Much like the title of this article “One reader’s opinion on Sheriff criteria”, it is just that, one reader’s opinion. As evident by a majority of the posts, most readers are intelligent enough to read through the campaign propaganda. Some however are not and add their comments or opinions in attempts to possibly sway the undecided voter. I would hope any one who does get involved and casts a vote would make it their personal responsibility to do some research, talk to people who work with these candidates, or friends and family which have ties to the profession.
Although I can completely appreciate Ms. Lindner’s comments and opinion, it does go to show the endorsement of the seated Sheriff does not always equate to the best possible candidate for the position. This is evident by Carter’s endorsement for Bowen and the current state of that agency. Not an opinion, I implore all of you to speak with people who work there in any division and ask them for their personal unbiased opinion on the state of the agency. Ask any of the employees about morale. Ask any of the employees about vision, mission statements, or direction. Ask any employee about current “leadership”. As previously discussed the county government had to step in and enact county ordinances because the current administration failed to act on certain issues. Also, as previously mentioned when speaking of Sheriff Bowen’s endorsement … it is quite possible promises were made by this candidate for the Sheriff’s endorsement.
Ms. Evans. Oh Ms Evans. This is an opinion page so let me make mine very clear. How dare you refer to the men and woman who serve this community selflessly day in and day out, during the night, in sun an snow, and 24hrs a day every single weekend and holiday as “monkeys”. They could on the other hand be servants of this community who have insider information on what really occurs within the walls of the Sheriff Complex and have chosen to support a candidate who they believe is most qualified and best suited to bring change and service you, this community, and this county. I will agree with you on one point you made mam. People should certainly watch who they surround themselves with. It wouldn’t take more than a simple kitchen fork to “dig dirt” on a certain candidate and who he has surrounded himself with whose skeletons outgrew his closet long ago and now occupy an entire complex.
This race is not about deep pockets, pretty spreadsheets, endorsements, skeletons, dirt, or name calling. This race is about the future of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, this county, those who live in it and depend on the services provided, and certainly those who provide the service. Just my opinion, I encourage you all to do your own research.
Here should be your matrix…
Eddie Moore is best leader and motivator however cannot efficiently run an operation of this size.
Mitch Russell is too out of touch and aged for success in our ever developing county. Old school.
Quakenbush is using Sloderbecks money and family connections to keep current administrations rear ends comfortably in their chairs behind desks. Killing staff moral for their own personal gain and futures. Bowen only pledged support for him so that he can retain a seat and position after his runs over.
Clifford encompasses positive traits from all these other guys. He is the best solution for high quality law enforcement, protection for residents and businesses, school safety, Jail, Juvenile, Court House, and Probation staff. His firearms and training programs are state of the art and he’s highly respected and reguarded amongst all agency’s. Hince the backing of the Hamilton County Fraternal Order of Police.
Clifford is the clear cut choice to keep this county moving forward. It’s time to drain the swamp of unethical, narcissistic, egotistical, self serving “appointed” managers.
Actually the backing of the Hamilton County Fraternal Order of Police is inaccurate. The current administration of the the FOP allowed the Reserve Deputies vote, which is not allowed and are refusing to do a recount because “it will make us look stupid”. If that is the people backing Bill Clifford then I feel very concerned for the future of Hamilton County.
Also to address Mr Jefferson, Clifford himself has made promises to many deputies on the road to be part of his administration and to completely “demolish” investigations. You should also be aware that him being “highly respected and regarded among all agency’s”, I would look real hard into that fact, especially the Court House. He has no association with any of the SROs for the Heights School District, which is the only district that the Sheriffs Office covers. He plans on “demolishing investigations”, I’m not sure how that is protecting the businesses and citizens of Hamilton County.
Also you comment about using Sloderbecks money, first its not his money, its the Republicans and Citizens that donated the money and it was probably their decisions to give it to whomever. And as far as Bowen backing Quakenbush for a spot, look at the last 30-40 years of Sheriff campaigns, it normal for that to happen, its call taking care of those who work hard and that you trust.
Well that shows that you know absolutely nothing. Bowen first backed Sloderbeck. When he failed, he then secretly went to clifford and tried to get on his admin, when he was probably told no, he went to Dennis. He wants to keep that Cush job with good pay and good transportation to the Cayman Islands. And Bill has no association with the SRO’s hmm another false claim. Bill is a firearms instructor along with the middle school SRO, they are always working to better plan things in case of an active shooter and always looking to better train staff. So what I would say to you is, get your facts straight
Allegations, opinions, and speculation mean NOTHING. Facts tell the truth and facts are what the citizens should know!
Here’s a couple FACTS
Quakenbush is a part of the current administration. He is hands down associated and backed by Bowen and Sloderbeck. Just look at all their photos togther via Facebook, fundraisers, and even his campaign signs!
Sloderbeck not only suspiciously dropped out of the Sheriffs race but I’ve vern told that as April 21st, he is being replaced as the jail commander?! What is being swept under the rug and held under wraps by Quakenbush and the current Sheriff?
This now makes the second Captain – Division Commander to suspiciously and quietly be removed from their positions in the last couple years. First Juvenile Captain is replaced and now Jail Captain is replaced.
People are talking and asking questions as to what the current administration is hiding and covering up. Quakenbush is surrounded and supported by some very suspicious and concerning people and decisions. Those are FACTS and TRUTH.
This campaign and race shouldnt be about mud slinging and hearsay. The voters deserve to know the truth so that they can make the right decision May 8th. They need to know why Quakenbush and his closest alleys are PUSHing so hard. Those involved in unethical practices, moral destroying decisions, and comfortably padding their 401ks assume that their days are numbered, as they should be, when the swamp gets drained. I personally believe that Clifford is the best choice for citizens and especially current ethical, hard working staff of the Sheriffs Office. By the way, isn’t a Heights SRO on Clifford’s firearms training team of instructors? Wouldn’t he not be involved in the firearms training program which is ran by Clifford if he didn’t also believe in Clifford?
Again, just another FACT in rebuttal to your “opinion”.
Please seek out the truth and uncover all the things the current administration has kept “in house” and quite. The truth would quickly change citizens opinions of Quakenbush and the current Administration.
I am a lifelong resident of Hamilton County and absolutely loved Doug Carter as our Sheriff. The last eight years have been an embarrassment due to Bowen and those he appointed on his command staff. As a retired officer and administrator I have always stayed updated on my local law enforcement and specifically the sheriffs office. With no dogs in this fight, I only seek out what is best for my children and grandchildren along with employees and citizens of our great county. After diligently researching inside information, Clifford will be receiving my vote. I truthfully hope that anyone EXCEPT Quakenbush and his team (Bowen, Sloderbeck, Marcum, McKinnney) the whole team…wins Sheriff. It could be any of the other three candidates and it would be better than the unbecoming conduct coupled with the unethical actions inside and outside of the workplace that have haunted that agency for the last 8 years. All I hope is that people seek out and learn the true nature of why command staff have been replaced along with the many other unpublicized incidents…
I love this drama! Wait, my popcorn bowl is empty……ok, now continue.
Come on I need to hear more!!!!!! It’s been over a week, need more comments