MIDDLETOWN — Candidates for Lake County Sheriff squared off Wednesday in a debate held at the Calpine Visitor Center in Middletown. Sheriff Rod Mitchell, incumbent, and opponent Deputy Francisco Rivero fielded about 30 questions.
Sacramento area law enforcer Paul Curry served as moderator of the debate.
Each candidate was given three minutes for introductions to start the debate. By toss of the coin, Mitchell went first.
Mitchell highlighted 30 years consecutive service as a law enforcer; the past 16 as Lake County Sheriff/Coroner. He said service as a Clearlake City Councilmember prior to taking office as sheriff helped educate him on government operations, preparing him for the responsibilities the position of sheriff holds. He said in 1994 when he campaigned for the position he did so on a promise to take an aggressive stance against crime. He said he is proud to say that crime rates have decreased during his 16 year tenure.
Rivero said he”s been a resident of the county for 10 years serving with the Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) since May 2007. He said in addition to his experience as a law enforcement officer, which began in 1984 in San Francisco, he also has experience as a business owner managing a $1 million budget. He said he wants to change the face, the attitude and the philosophy of the LCSO.
Questions fielded by the candidates dove into departmental procedure, visions as well as personal history and campaign conduct. Among the 30 questions, a few of which the candidates agreed were inappropriate for the debate, one asked how they would improve recruitment, training and retention of deputies. Mitchell said retention of deputies has increased throughout the past three years. He attributed retention to hiring local and keeping positions funded. He said that his department experienced no lay-offs this fiscal year. He said that was accomplished by transferring $600,000 in reserves for continued funding of positions.
Rivero said he would improve retention rates by making job satisfaction priority one and providing deputies with the tools they need to do their jobs.
Rivero was questioned about the alleged drug arrest of a donor to his campaign. In response, he said that he believes in the U.S. Constitution and that people are innocent until proven guilty. He said the rumor of his biggest campaign donor being arrested on drug charges is untrue and asked if he is seen speaking to someone with a record or has been arrested, to not hold it against him.
Mitchell, as he did on several occasions, questioned Rivero”s specificity in answering the question. He said he also believes in the U.S. Constitution and that he wished Rivero would have applied that same belief to the deputies he accused of racial profiling. Mitchell then produced paperwork allegedly refuting an earlier response by Rivero concerning Rivero”s arrest in Florida 30 years ago.
While Rivero said he was not convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, he did say he paid fines related to an “infraction” for loitering. According to Mitchell, court documents gathered through online sources and in-person inquiry in Florida, indicate otherwise. Rivero questioned whether Mitchell”s paperwork actually pertains to him, suggesting that his name is as common in Florida as “John Smith.”
Candidates were asked how they would combat chronic methamphetamine use in the county. Rivero said he would immediately reinstate the narcotics task force that was disbanded three years ago. He said meth use impacts domestic violence and child and elderly abuse rates. He said partnerships need to be formed with other agencies to eradicate the transportation, manufacturing, use and sales of methamphetamine.
Mitchell said that the narcotics task force was headed by the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (BNE), which is responsible for the disbanding of the task force. He said that four deputies are currently assigned to narcotics enforcement and his department is prepared to reinstate the task force whenever the BNE chooses to reinstate the program.
The candidates took very different views on how the department should be run. Rivero said he has no experience with government budgeting but that he believes government should be run like a business and that every possible dollar should be directed toward public safety. Mitchell maintained that government is nothing like business as there are several laws to adhere to and it is not a for-profit operation.
In closing Rivero said he would like to build a 21st-century department that is well reputed here and beyond. He said the LCSO impacts the reputation of the county and the way people see it. He said he would like to increase accountability and respect to the people of the county.
Mitchell said specificity and details matter and said when his opponent says “we can” he wants to know how. He said he is willing to admit his shortcomings and accepts criticism. He said he is willing to take responsibility for having possibly lost sight of some activities occurring in his department. He said an auditor/inspection program has been implemented to assist in the monitoring of departmental activities.
