4 plan run for Fayette sheriff

Tue, 02/26/2008 - 4:52pm
By: John Munford

So far there have been no surprises among the four Fayette residents who have filed elections paperwork declaring their intent to run for sheriff.

Current Sheriff Randall Johnson has said this year is his last. The field running to replace him consists of three of Johnson’s current staffers and one department outsider.

The outsider, David Simmons, was a former deputy chief of police in Detroit, where he retired in 1996 before moving to Fayette some time later and working for a security company.

Among the current staffers, two have long-serving records with the department: Wayne Hannah, the current traffic and training division director, and Barry Babb, the number-two ranking official in the patrol division.

The other staffer running for sheriff is Thomas Mindar, who works in the warrants division and previously worked for the Fayetteville Police Department. Mindar announced his intentions in a letter in today’s paper.

Hannah has been with the department his entire 32 years in law enforcement, and Babb has been with the department for 20 years. Mindar has 11 years in law enforcement between the sheriff’s and Fayetteville police departments.

Simmons, when he worked in Detroit as the deputy chief, served as chief of staff and assisted in managing the day-to-day operations of the 4,500-member department.

Simmons is an active member of the Fayette County Republican Party and unsuccessfully ran for county commission in 2004 when he was defeated by incumbent Herb Frady by about 2,000 votes.

Qualifying in the election runs from April 26-May 2, but candidates have to file disclosures and other paperwork as soon as they begin collecting funds for their campaign. The Republican primary election will be held Tuesday, July 15.

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Submitted by skyspy on Thu, 03/06/2008 - 12:36am.

Tom1939 has some valuable information for you to take to your meeting on Saturday.

Submitted by skyspy on Thu, 03/27/2008 - 11:15pm.

Read all below

Submitted by smoothassilk on Thu, 03/27/2008 - 11:23pm.

Digesting now!!!

Help me understand why Hannah, of course in your humble opinion, is the better fit for the job. I took a look at Hannah's website and I really am NOT impressed. If you have some time, if not that's ok, I will continue my research.

Submitted by skyspy on Thu, 03/27/2008 - 11:39pm.

I have not gone to Hannah' website. I know he has a reputation of working hard, tough on criminals, and he is honest.

I like the fact that he is still active in law enforcement. I don't know who I will vote for yet. It will be one of the men activly working in the sheriff's dept. for a couple of reasons.

1. We have been watching them work for 20+yrs. so far no scandal.

2. clayton drug lords have been knocking on our doors for 20+yrs. and Randall and company have kept them out for the most part. When they do get into our county they seem to be caught very quickly. I like that. It means that our law emforcement and their techniques are working. I am from the outside looking in. I have one family member who works for the FBI otherwise I have no contact with local law enforcement except for friends.

3. We still have one of the lowest crime rates in the state which is amazing considering the counties that border us. The drug lords would love to get a foothold in this county. For them there is money to be made here. They can't get a toe-hold so to speak because, they so far, fingers crossed, haven't been able to bribe our cops.

The next part is just my opinion only based on what I heard, so take it with a grain of salt:

My cousin shared this with me and I will pass it along, take it with a grain of salt, but I think there is some truth to it: When they analyse crime and they see big cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and they see crime that is "off of the charts" the first thing they suspect are crooked cops. They don't look at the drug lords, or the rest of it...the theory is that crime pays, and it pays alot if you are being paid to ignore it or overlook it.

When you see areas that are not crime filled, it means you have good citizens and good cops, and THEY ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER! That is what makes our county so great.

It is only my opinion, but I think we have great cops and I don't want that to change.

Have a good night.

Submitted by skyspy on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 7:05am.

Have a good day. Are you off?

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 12:37pm.

I've been working my dog tail off this week. I haven't even hardly had a chance to keep up on the blogs this week. Rest assured that I am doing my part to keep the tax dollars rolling out to support our gumament and especially our teachers, firefighters, law enforcement dudes, all those guys who take care of our roads and our precious soldiers. And even those that stare into space all day. Eye-wink

And I'm concentrating on preserving the jobs of 18 well paid folks who are on my team. Insuring their benefits and financial stability. Spending money on computer systems, services and support, buying product and churning sales. I just wrote a check to Clayton County for over ten grand for a business license and now they're wanting additional uproductive documentation. No problem in supplying it but, I could have spent that money on something productive rather that more gumament compliance. I'm just having a ball and being obiedient to my CPA who told me quit blogging so much and get to work. There's money to be made in this decent economy.

So.... not I'm not off. I am having a great day. Life is good. And people are starting to see through Obama. Which means we may get stuck with another less-than-desirable candidate that they call McCain. Oh well... lesser of the thwee evils. Smiling

Now for the important question: How in the heck are you on this fine day?

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined


kjam's picture
Submitted by kjam on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 12:44pm.

Git,
As long as you are writing checks, I could use one too! LOL
From 1 business owner to another, we need to talk one day, maybe we can help each other out. I can't list in the blog what I do, since that would be "posting a free business ad", and I don't want to get in trouble. But, I am local, Cyclist knows me, we are neighbors!


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 12:50pm.

E-mail me.

As far as Cyclist as a neighbor goes.... Are you the one that repeatedly reports him for indecent exposure? I'm still trying to shake that picture out of my mind of Cy mowing his yard in his Speedo. Shocked

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined


kjam's picture
Submitted by kjam on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 12:55pm.

OMG, how did you know? LOL LOL
But hey, everyone loves Cy!


hutch866's picture
Submitted by hutch866 on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:01pm.

As Cy will tell you there's a lot of Cy to love. at least he saves the thong for Mrs. Cy.

I yam what I yam....Popeye


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:06pm.

I did ask the the good doctor about liposuction. Unfortunately, it wasn't covered by insurance.

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 2:15pm.

I've seen lipo surgery on some channel like Discover or PBS, and it appears to be something an enterprising person could do themselves, not real complicated. Macgyver says you'll need:

1) 1 sharp knife
2) A sewing kit
3) Alcohol to stop infection and as an anesthesia
4) A vacuum cleaner with hose and attachments
5) Way more alcohol

Pretty simple: slice some part of your gut, shove the vacuum hose in to suck out the fat, stitch up...you're done and MANY thousands saved!

Let us know how it turns out:)


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 2:25pm.

For what is the "way more alcohol" for?

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined


NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 2:34pm.

It's in celebration of all those pounds going away and the fact there is a video all over the internet of the DIY patient standing there with a vacuum cleaner nozzle in their stomach. Instant fame. Don't forget to change the vacuum bag! Too much alcohol? No worries.....we can try a do it yourself liver transplant the Macgyver way next!


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:16pm.

Get on the treadmill and chase that fat away. Eventually it'll get the hint and go away. Unfortunately, eventually can be a very long process....as I can testify. Shocked
________

The Sissy And The Word Defined


kjam's picture
Submitted by kjam on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:03pm.

Good one! I keep trying to get Cy to go with me to get a tattoo, he's scared. Said Mrs. Cy would have a fit.


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:12pm.

Can I make a few suggestions? Evil

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined


kjam's picture
Submitted by kjam on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:28pm.

Any and all suggestions are welcomed! Just having fun with ya Cy!


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:33pm.

the beauty pageant. BTW, none of the headsets for the radios work, so I'm buying four new radios with headsets.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


kjam's picture
Submitted by kjam on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:37pm.

Hope all turns out good this weekend. We are passing up attending, found other things to occupy our weekend.


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:18pm.

-------------------------------------------
Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 12:58pm.

People are reading this stuff.
-------------------------------------------
Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


kjam's picture
Submitted by kjam on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:01pm.

Did you feel your ears burning or did a little birdie call you? Git & I were just chatting about you. Everything ready for this weekend? Have fun.....


Submitted by skyspy on Wed, 04/09/2008 - 12:48pm.

Happy reading, and welcome to the Atlanta field office.

Submitted by Tom1939 on Fri, 03/07/2008 - 1:05pm.

Hello Skyspy. Here are some additional background details to put Commander Simmons' duties on the Detroit police into a contextual setting. When McKinnon was appointed Detroit's police chief he reorganized the command structure of the department and put himself, McKinnon, at the center of control of all power on the department. He was appointed the Police Chief by the mayor making him the chief executive officer and a non-uniform member of the force. Then, McKinnon eliminated the Executive Deputy Chief position, the highest ranking uniform officer, and a separate executive position with his/her own staff. Then, McKinnon appointed himself to that position making him also the chief operating officer running the day-to-day operations. This made McKinnon (and Simmons) the center of all power on the department. On McKinnon's staff were police officers in the rank of Commander. Commander Simmons' was his chief of staff. These Commanders in the Chief's office had no official executive authority because McKinnon was the executive in charge. No high ranking police department executive works on another executive's staff. They have their own executive staff. Commanders in units, bureau's or stations are executives. They are the top of the chain of command at that location. But, Commander Simmons was a commander working on the staff of a higher executive, the Police Chief. Simmons was not the top of the chain of command. A few weeks or months before Commander Simmons retired McKinnon promoted him to the rank of Deputy Chief then Simmons announced and retired at a Deputy Chief's pension rate not a Commander's pension rate. Deputy Chief's are executives of divisions and have their own staff with Commanders taking orders from them. Since Commander Simmons was not in an executive position he had no staff, he was a staff member. Further, he was not in the Deputy Chief position, an executive position, very long before he retired. And, he never served in the Executive Deputy Chief position whose official duties are to run the day-to-day operations of the police department. McKinnon did that until the mayor forced McKinnon (and Simmons) to share power and re-create the Executive Deputy Chief position and appoint an executive officer to that office, which was not Commander or Deputy Chief Simmons. While serving as a Commander, which was the rank Simmons served most of his time under Chief McKinnon, naturally he helped to run the day-to-day operations of the department. But, the lieutenants, sergeants, police officers and secretaries working in the Police Chief's office can make that claim, too. All department members working in Sheriff Johnson's office here can make that claim. On a side note it's interesting to point out that on Friday McKinnon announced he was stepping down as Police Chief that next Monday, which was a nice way of saying he was stepping down and escorted from headquarters that Friday. Simmons should know that McKinnon likes to brag and could never keep his mouth shut. What we have here is an attempt to inflate a resume to impress the unaware. This information can easily be verified in a background check. Skyspy, have a good weekend!

Submitted by skyspy on Mon, 03/17/2008 - 5:24am.

and keep going below. This guy has done some research. I had heard rumblings about this, but didn't get the whole story.

Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 03/08/2008 - 12:16am.

I kind of figured this was the case. The janitors are involved in the "day-to-day" operation also.....but that hardly qualifies as good police work. Wow, this guy is a blowhard joke!

Keep up the good work Tom. We have a Sheriff who works, and he works hard. We don't need to replace him with a lazy loser!!

Have a good weekend Tom.

Submitted by Tom1939 on Sat, 03/01/2008 - 3:21am.

Hey dude, it is truly a small world. What ever happened with that Detroit police promotional exam cheating scandal Mr. Simmons. Did your boss Chief McKinnon pass the FBI lie detector test? All of the people who passed the promotional exam with unusually high test scores were all connected to your boss but your boss fired Norde James III for official corruption. Mr James is a very close friend of mine. He's still mad that his good name was destroyed but he's enjoying the million dollars he won from the wrongful discharge lawsuit against your boss and the city. I hope you don't bring people like Isaiah McKinnon down here. But, you already have. I saw he was in town introducing you as a candidate for sheriff. How could you work for someone like that and have a person like that, after all these years, come down here and speak for you? What does that say about your ethical qualifications to be our leader? We don't need that kind of unethical behavior down here. Our sheriff has always been a first-rate leader of a first-rate operation. We don't chase after each other's wives, that's not nice. It can destroy the morale of the whole organization when the chief cheats with his sergeant's wife. And the sergeant has to plead with the mayor to make him stop. We're a small town but news gets around. Joe Swickard, Asst. Metro editor, 313-223-4557 of the Detroit Free Press (jswickard@freepress.com) knows more about this than I do.

Submitted by skyspy on Mon, 03/17/2008 - 2:06pm.

Joe's # is 313-222-8769. He said he would call me back with more info.

Submitted by Tom1939 on Tue, 03/18/2008 - 8:40am.

Thanks for updating Joe Swickard's, Detroit Fress Press, contact phone number. If you can, ask him for copies of the Free Press and/or Detroit News paper reports on the Detroit Police cheating scandal where my friend, Norde James III, was fired as the scapegoat for Chief Ike McKinnon. Commander Simmons had to testify before a Grand Jury investigating that scandal. Also, get a sense of the department's organizational and command structure as it was re-organized by Ike McKinnon. It should reveal that while Commander Simmons retired as a Deputy Chief, by Simmons own description of his duties over 12+ years ago, he had the rank but could not have served in the position very long. The function of a deputy chief is to head a division of the police department. For example, there is the Deputy Chief of Eastern Operations heading all of the department's east side Detroit police stations or Deputy Chief of Western Operations, or Deputy Chief of Investigative Operations (homicide, major crimes), etc. Commander Simmons says he was chief of staff in the Police Chief's office helping to run the day-to-day operations of the whole department. That has never been the function of a Deputy Chief. Running the department was the function of Chief, Ike McKinnon. This suggest Simmons was in the rank of Deputy Chief but his description of his duties were those of a Commander and a staff member inside a higher command officer's office. Why claim the rank of Deputy Chief but mention the duties of a Commander? Why leave out what his role on the department was as a Deputy Chief? Of course, he naturally assumed down here no one would know the difference and have no way to find out the difference. Could this suggest a tendency of being "truth challenged?" By all means, have Joe with the Free Press, provide you with a way to contact retired Detroit Police, Deputy Chief James Younger, who served with Commander/Deputy Chief Simmons and Chief Ike McKinnon. Or, have Deputy Chief James Younger contact you or someone with the Sheriff's office down here as a professional courtesy. It will be worth the effort! Under the late mayor Coleman Young the police department was an extremely political organization. Some individual's rose through the ranks not by skill, knowledge or expertise but through back-stabbing, forming cliques, riding coat-tails and in-fighting. Niccolo Machiavelli's book, The Prince, was required reading when someone joined him or herself to Coleman Young's political machine. Simmons' studied that book very well. Perhaps this is why his methods of operating suggest the tendency toward "devious machinations." Never take his statements at face value, verify them with another source independent of him and not associated with his "clique." Skyspy, keep up the good work!

Submitted by skyspy on Tue, 03/18/2008 - 9:16am.

Joe said he would call me back, we'll see......

I suggested he call and work with the Fayette Citizen on this, and share information. This seems too important to ignore.

Also I'm just a citizen from outside the SO looking in. I have friends at the Sheriff's dept, and of course I think they are above average.

Just in case they have missed this I will pass your info along.

We don't need corruption here. I think one of the reasons for our low crime rate here is because of the high caliber individuals Randall hires and trains. Let's not change that.

Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 03/01/2008 - 6:22am.

Did you see the article this last week that ranked Detroit the no. 1 LEAST desirable place to live because of extremely high crime, and unemployment?

We know about the corruption the FBI ivestigations, their mayor is in a little trouble right now too. You are wasting your time on this old-timer anyway. He retired 12+yrs. ago, hardly a serious contender. You are right Tom we don't need the corruption of a big city PD.

Submitted by Tom1939 on Sat, 03/01/2008 - 9:40am.

Skyspy, under the guidance of Chief McKinnon and his Deputy Chief Simmons the next appointed Chief, Benny Napoleon, had to invite in the US Justice Dept in a consent decree to start bringing the department back under some control by mandating professional policing practices. Here's the US Justice Department Consent Decree overseeing the Detroit police department: http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/POLICE/dept/crib/docs/doj_cd_confin05.htm and here's a Community Relations Report by the Detroit police: http://www.detroitnaacp.org/pdf/crpreport.pdf Maybe he'll do better down here. He might have read some books over the last 12+ years. If he needs some help running things I'm sure McKinnon and the Feds are willing. They must be tired of watching COPS on television.

Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 03/01/2008 - 7:46pm.

Thanks for the research, and keep it coming. I only have one source at the FBI, so I don't hear much. What I do hear isn't good, of course.

This joker needs to keep watching cops on TV, instead of thinking of new deals to cook up.
I wonder how much the naacp is paying him to try and break up Fayette County?

Submitted by Tom1939 on Sat, 03/01/2008 - 9:56pm.

No problem, Skyspy. You continue the good work, as well! Anytime an individual holds himself out for elected public office the public has a right to know who they are electing to that office. If there's a reporter interested he should contact these people who have insight for a background check on what his functions and duties were on the Detroit police department. Contact Ret. Deputy Detroit Police Chief James Younger, Ret. Detroit Police Department Personnel Director Norde James III, and/or Joe Swickard, Detroit Free Press, Asst. Metro editor, 313-223-4557, jswickard@freepress.com. Norde is my friend and I don't feel completely comfortable pulling him and his name into this situation. Therefore, the Free Press editor should be able to help locate the individual's named here. Based on the organizational structure of Detroit's department Mr. Simmons' duties in no way involved running the day-to-day operations of that department. Now, of course, maybe his duties involved running the day-to-day donut operations for the boss but running the department? No way. But, don't take my word on this, here are some names of people to ask who can provide important background information on his duties because the public has a right to know who they are voting for before they cast their vote. It's an important and critical public service!

Submitted by skyspy on Sun, 03/02/2008 - 11:16pm.

Thanks for the info.

I kind of figured this was the case. Where there is smoke there is fire.(usually)

Hmmm, so he wants to be sheriff here... why? The cynical side of me has a theory.

Even though Detroit PD talks a good game the crime there is off the charts. For all of the big talk about educational programs, and awarness programs......not a dent in crime.

Keep the info coming we all need to be informed.

Submitted by sageadvice on Sat, 03/01/2008 - 9:24am.

Don't we really need a modern Sheriff now? One who is in his prime and not influenced by all his cohorts and owing favoritism to hundreds of friends and relatives?
One who knows nothing about Fayette County, its officers, or the people?

The job is supposed to be "professional" nowadays!

By the way, can a new sheriff dismiss any deputy he doesn't want or need?

Submitted by kreedham on Sat, 03/01/2008 - 9:02pm.

This isn't really about those running for sheriff! I'd like to pose a question for anyone out there.

Should certain elective offices actually be non Partisan?

Personally I don't really see what party affiliation has to do with some offices. Sheriff, coroner, tax commissioner. Should they really run as R's or D's. Maybe some of the judicial offices too. I don't think D A should change. I mean what's party affiliation really got to do with being coroner?.

Someone who might know please correct me but aren't state supreme court judges the only non partisan elective office in the state. In the primary you ask for a Democratic or Republican ballot. In the State Supreme Court races everyone votes regardless of party ballot request.

If some of these were non partisan than all Republicans and all Democrats could participate in the primary process instead of just the general election. If the candidate in a non partisan race wants to say they are affilated with a party so be it!

If these races were non partisan it might just force us to look into the candidates a little more instead of voting for them because of their party.

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