Can Bill Hunt defeat Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, with Tim Whitacre as his Campaign Manager?
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It looks like former OCSD Lt. Bill Hunt, who served as Chief of Police in San Clemente until disgraced former O.C. Sheriff Mike Carona booted him, is going to be running against Carona’s replacement, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. Hunt’s campaign website is up and running – and he has already announced his first fundraiser.
Former Sheriff Richard Mack, of Graham County, Arizona, is going to be speaking at a fundraiser for Hunt on August 1, at the Old World in Huntington Beach. Hunt’s campaign is asking for $100 donations. Mack is famed for suing the U.S. government, over the Brady Bill. Apparently he won that lawsuit, which went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
So obviously Hunt is making gun rights the centerpiece of his campaign. In fact he put this statement up on his campaign website:
I will issue concealed weapons permits (CCW) to any applicant who is a law abiding resident of the county, meets state mandated requirements and is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. I will depoliticize the process and establish an annual audit to review each application to ensure the process is unbiased, non-political and equitable.
I am not sure that is the way to go. The problems in the Sheriff’s office stem from a lack of accountability and from the Sheriff’s money-wasting ways. Carona was awful, but Hutchens has not been much of an improvement in those areas.
Did Hutchens err by going after all those concealed weapons permits? Sure, but some of those people deserved to have their concealed weapons permits pulled. None of us should feel safe with a bunch of Carona cronies running around with guns – not to mention the badges he handed out like candy to his contributors.
But is this really THE biggest issue to focus on? I don’t think so. But it does distract us from the fact that Hunt used to be one of Carona’s cronies too. He got in trouble once for looking the other way when he pulled over the son of one of Carona’s Assistant Sheriff’s. I don’t think Hunt is the answer, but I know Hutchens isn’t either. And SAPD Chief Paul Walters isn’t running so we don’t have any other choices.
Hunt is already claiming a few endorsements, mostly from local unions. Let’s see if Whitacre can round up a few elected officials on his behalf. That will be a tough hill to take…
Travis,
I think we need a Sheriff who will stand up to the Deputies and their “thin blue line.” Hutchens won’t do it – and neither will the Deputy-endorsed Hunt.
Back to the drawing board…
When I asked a well connected law enforcement insider about a Hutchens-Hunt match up they summed it up as the following:
“Both are like tumors in the OCSD body. Hutchens is benign–doesn’t harm the body, just does nothing for it. Hunt is definately malignant–probably as bad if not worse than his mentor, Carona. He would absolutely destroy the OCSD. I guess if you have to choose, benign is the way to go.”
If you ask me, that analogy sums it up quite well.
Thank the Lord Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters isn’t running. He is a poor leader and lousy, corrupt chief.
#5,
That is debatable and pointless. I have criticized him because Santa Ana has the highest violent crime rate in the County, but that is also a reflection of our inadequate City Manager and bumbling City Council. Walters is a good administrator and he does a fine job running our City Jail.
The point is however that Walters isn’t running. Now we need to find someone else as Hunt and Hutchens won’t cut it.
Where is Ralph Martin? Can we talk him out of retirement?
#5,
Please expand on your statement. Can you back up your claims of “corruption” on the part of Chief Walters?
Coming in and throwing out such an accusation should be backed up with facts.
Chief Walters is as well respected a law enforcement official as you will find when you ask his peers.
You sound like one of the Hunt camp spreading more lies.
Art, I agree with your take on the race but why are you put off by Whitacre wanting to pray before a meeting? After a
9-11/Katrina/earthquake/fire type event the whole world talks about the need for prayer and no one says anything. Why are you so threatened by those who choose to pray on a daily basis?
Hutchens = Bad
Hunt = Good
“The point is however that Walters isn’t running.”…. how do you know Pedroza?… are you relying on Mill’s alleged insiders?… hahahaha.
I know that he would run and I know what it would take.
Please notice that I have intentionally not blame Walters for SAPD13 out of line actions…. why?
Hutchens=Bad
Hunt=Worse
*Sheriff Joe Arpaio? Sheriff Mack would certainly support him. Forget about it….just
look at who on the Board of Supervisors endorses
Hutchens to know the outcome! Law enforcement generally seems in a bit of disarray….with Police Unions, Supervisors, City Councils and the like……all over the place.
Stanley,
You are so right, my “inside sources” can’t compare to the info you have. LOL!!! If you only knew.
As far as your comment about the SAPD, referring to them as SAPD13, that was out of line. We have a terrific police department here in Santa Ana. Despite ever depleting resources they do a terrific job keeping us safe.
I am proud of the work done by the men and women of the SAPD and I take offense to the cheap shots taken at them by folks that don’t have all the facts.
“As far as your comment about the SAPD, referring to them as SAPD13, that was out of line.”… interesting comment Mill.
A well known phrase is “someone’s terrorist is someone else’s freedom-fighter”; somebody is or is not a terrorist depending on where your political sympathies lie.
Therefore, as long as the SAPD13 is using Latinos and Orientals for a target practice, as it was in the last two incidents, I am with you Mill.
Well Art guess you have your facts completely messed up. Nothing new there. Then we have Mills coming up with some hearsay that is likely a figment of his over-zealous imagination and violaaa.. It’s a fact. I’m not a fan of either but I can tell ya I will not make horse-pucky as I go along.
Bill Hunt all the way he has my support and vote!
Thanks for running this story definitly note worthy. Rumor has it that Bill Hunts website was done by the same gal who made Ron Pauls site it came out great!
http://www.billhuntforsheriff2010.com
Bill Hunt is the only choice for Orange County Sheriff in 2010…
I’ve worked very close with his awesome Campaign Manager Tim whitacre & close friend David Spark’s on many political matter’s…
We’ve had alot of laugh’s together over the year’s…
With out a doubt he is the Leader for the Orange County voter’s in 2010…
Hmm, Bill hunt should of used Sgt. Pat Gomez from LASD. Gomez got a million bucks for the same things Hunt did to Carona. Geeze, Hunt’s a tard along with his attorney. It just goes to show you Hunt is well outclassed at the big boy level. Time for him to take his place as a lt or pi. A lt in OC is like a senior deputy in LA. Watch out Brea Fire is going to LA county fire and next the PD will go to LASD. Not the bozo OCSD dept
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gomez16-2010jan16,0,7442242.story
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