I just received an email from Supervisor Janet Nguyen explaining why she chose Sandra Hutchens to replace disgraced former Sheriff Mike Carona. This has been a topic of much speculation. I hope this information clears up the misunderstandings that Supervisor Nguyen’s detractors have been broadcasting throughout the blogosphere. Here are Supervisor Nguyen’s thoughts:
This was one of the most difficult decisions that I’ve made since being in office. Both Chief Paul Walters and Chief Sandra Hutchens are highly qualified for the position. However, in Chief Hutchens, we have a uniquely qualified individual who, from being out of the County, can give our department a fresh eye in dealing with the issues that we have, yet she lives in Orange County, so she is familiar with law enforcements needs and the public perceptions of law enforcement, and the OCSD in particular, in Orange County.
As someone who has risen through the many functions in a county sheriff’s department including having worked as a jailer for many years, Chief Hutchens is intimately familiar with the workings of and demands on such a department. The county jail system and the operation of such a system is different from the way a city jail is run, so we need someone who is familiar in running a county system.
Since the county sheriff’s department serves more of a regional law enforcement function, it is important that we have someone who is familiar in that role, especially in the context of Homeland Security and the need for multi-agency coordination in a post 9/11 world.
As someone who has extensive experience representing the Deputies and as part of a Command Team, Chief Hutchens is well equipped to lead the OCSD. In addition, with 29 years of experience in dealing with contracted cities where at one point she oversaw 40 contracted cities, Chief Hutchens has the requisite experience to serve her different constituencies in South County.
I believe that Sandra Hutchens will prove to be a stellar Sheriff. The decision has been made; we, as a county, can move forward much more effectively if we focus on the work that needs to get done and assist Sheriff Hutchens in any way we can.
In related news, the Bolsavik blog interviewed Supervisor Nguyen today and revealed that Assemblyman Van Tran called her to congratulate her on her recent reelection. Classy move. Apparently Dina Nguyen and Hoa Van Tran have yet to call her. Not surprising. Read the Bolsavik story by clicking here.
I believe Janet Nguyen made the proper choice but she held up the whole process with this straw ballot and the paper ballot business. The paper ballots were read and named. What was that point?
At any rate she came up with a good decision despite a case of constipating the process for half an hour.
#1,
Actually Matt “Jubal” Cunningham explained today over at the Red County blog that Nguyen proposed a written ballot so that Moorlach would not be put himself in a position to be the tie-breaker.
As for the whole issue of constipation at public meetings I must say that on the whole most public meetings are too damn long. Just look at the Santa Ana City Clowncil meetings. They sometimes run over three hours – usually because the Clowncil Members are busy backslapping each other and giving awards to people. They need to focus on conducting the business of the Council first and save the rest of that stuff for afterwards.
Art, you think three hours is long for a council meeting? Ha! We here in Costa Mesa have seen so many meetings run from 6 until midnight that previous councils had to require a vote to move the proceedings past 12. If you can get your work done in three hours, more power to you. Wait a minute… I’ve read so many commentaries here criticizing the Santa Ana City Council that perhaps the problem is that they’re not spending ENOUGH time on their issues. Why not just let them go until they become hoarse or drop over from malnutrition?
In related news, the Bolsavik blog interviewed Supervisor Nguyen today and revealed that Assemblyman Van Tran called her to congratulate her on her recent reelection.
FYI, Martin Wisckol reported that the day after the election on Total Buzz
Matt/Jubal,
Thanks for that info. I had no idea. I don’t read Total Buzz all that often. But Bolsavik is a great read most of the time.
Better to have the right outcome, even if it takes a little longer Too bad more decisions aren’t made that way.
There’s never time to do it right, but there’s always time to do it twice. (Often said in manufacturing and the printing trades)