No reason to dissolve Sheriff's Council

12/22/05

Voice From Santa Barbara: Jim Thomas

When the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Council was founded in 1993, the 23 initial members met with me at the Sheriff's Department to map out a plan that would encourage citizens to help the men and women of public safety.

Among other things, we discussed a fundraising plan with an initial goal of $15,000, enough to buy a badly needed patrol car.

At our first event, we raised $40,000 at a dinner/auction at Jack Grimes' Solvang Ranch. We were stunned. During that day, we had demonstrations by the various units of the fire and sheriff's departments.

One of our members wanted to charge $10 per person for admission. I said no. Why should a taxpayer have to pay to see what they already own?

It was a wonderful day and the beginning of a 13-year journey that has seen many positive and a few negative changes.

On Dec. 14, Sheriff Jim Anderson terminated the relationship between the Sheriff's Council and the Sheriff's Department. His reasoning was that "the actions of a few, with animosity and personal agendas, have adversely affected a worthy and honorable group."

Sheriff Anderson has publicly claimed that the department was "unjustly and consistently attacked."

By who? I have not heard anyone attack the Sheriff's Department. I have not heard anyone attack the Sheriff's Council. Many of the council members feel like they have been accused of doing something wrong -- they haven't.

In September of this year, the 13th annual "Fund Raiser Gala" was held at Bacara Resort. The hotel bill alone was more than five times the amount we raised our first year. It included rooms, food and spa treatments for friends and family members of a small number of department and council members -- all at the Sheriff's Council's expense. It even included a free room for the personal hairdresser of one council organizer.

The "pre-party" featured $1,000 Russian caviar, among other gourmet items for a select few. That is money that cannot now be used for public safety.

Questions by some Sheriff's Council members regarding these and other expenses were at the heart of what has been described by Sheriff Anderson as an "internal power struggle."

Questioning the spending and judgment of the organizers is not a "personal agenda," as Sheriff Anderson called it. Neither is it an indictment of the organizers.

Just because Sheriff Anderson has said he no longer wants the Sheriff's Council doesn't mean the council no longer wants to help public safety. The council should remain a viable and active group under its 501(c)(3) charitable designation.

I would hope Sheriff Anderson would reconsider his position and keep the Sheriff's Council.

Barring that, I would suggest that the name and mission be changed to the Santa Barbara County Public Safety Council. Support by all county public safety agencies who would share in the proceeds would assure success.

In mid-January, the Sheriff's Council is scheduled to meet. The council's future is at stake. I hope the council members remember the great things they have done for our community and decide to continue serving public safety.

I can assure you that those dedicated young men and women who so often go in harm's way will be grateful. After all, they are the ones who have the most to lose in this deal.

Jim Thomas is the former sheriff and founder of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Council.