Ennis favored for Boundary County Sheriff

If you are like me, I was saddened to see the old grain elevator torn down a year or so ago.

I like our town and county just like they are; no glass and chrome buildings for me.

And the new Meadow Creek bridge, I liked the old one.

But there are improvements I like, such as my contractor I’m paying by the hour using a power saw rather than a hand saw, or using power equipment rather than hand power to set siding or roofing. I appreciate modern health equipment and doctors, dentists and pharmacists who come to our community well trained.

I am very appreciative of our volunteer fire fighters who protect and serve us and spend numerous hours in regular and on-going training. Thanks to all of these.

All of this is to a point and that is the leadership of the Boundary County Sheriff Department. There is a significant leadership problem and it hurts each of us and BCSD personnel.

Three significant problems exist. Under sheriff Greg Sprungle, there has a high turnover in employees during each of his terms and it costs us in several ways. Meaningful hands-on training is sorely lacking and that hurts morale and technology update.

Field patrol deployment is dangerously low, and that seriously affects the field deputies and each of us in safety.

This is not meant to impugn the current sheriff because the problems and solutions appear to be simply not understood. He and a former chief deputy a high turnover as simply a symptom of rural law enforcement not correctable. It absolutely is correctable. 

Expenses of turnover are not understood as indicated by a former chief deputy questioning figures and not comprehending figures offered. Regular and on-going hands-on training has been non-existent and is one aspect of moral.

Jeff Ennis is running for sheriff and has the experience and training to turn these problems around. He has also been a member of BCSD for 13 years, a sheriff deputy for 23 years, a jail commander, and has more training than any candidate. The solution is new to BCSD, but an old solution well known to Jeff.

Here is what Jeff Ennis will do as sheriff, and without hiring any additional personnel and without a penny increase in the budget. He will employ a deployment program where 24-hours-a-day, 365 days a year, field deputies available to respond to our needs will increase by two or three times.

That means there will always be available two or three patrol deputies in uniform and on duty to come when we call. That is done by taking the existing deputies and the existing budget and managing in a more efficient way. That includes increased training and decreased turnovers and overtime, as well.

A vote for Jeff Ennis for sheriff will bring our BCSD effectiveness up to that of those listed above. We have quality people; we just need to support them with a quality and knowledgeable leader. A vote for Jeff Ennis will accomplish just that. (jeffennis4sheriff.com)

Bob Michael

Retired Police Captain