Howdy, Sheriff
Downey has suggested similar public outreach proposals. In fact, despite their quibbles over qualifications, the two men have quite similar philosophies on law enforcement. Both said they have no interest (or authority) in going after marijuana users who stay within Prop. 215 guidelines but that grow houses, Mexican cartels and commercial operations need to be fought aggressively. Both said they would continue to issue CCW (carrying a concealed weapon) permits to any law-abiding resident who presents a valid reason. And they agree that, should the budget allow it, they’d like to put deputy sheriffs back in remote residence posts in towns like Orick, Orleans and Petrolia.
But that doesn’t mean they consider each other equals. Downey took particular umbrage at some of Hislop’s accusations. His lack of college degrees, he said, is irrelevant. “I’ve been involved in the greatest apprenticeship program in the last 24 years of my career that anyone could be in,” he said. “My opponent has never worked in this office and has no idea how this office operates.” Regarding Hislop’s claims that the DA’s Office takes cases the Sheriff’s Office doesn’t want or can’t handle, Downey said, “If you want to get down to it, law enforcement works together. If one agency wants to take the credit for solving a case, then that makes our ability to work together in the future less desirable.”
Asked at the end of his initial interview how confident he was, Downey said he felt good. He’s been endorsed by some big names including Congressman Mike Thompson and County Supervisors Jimmy Smith and Jill Duffy. Quarterly fundraising reports filed with the county elections office show that, through December, Downey raised $1,905 for his campaign, the vast majority of which came from Philp ($1,000) and Sheriff’s Lt. Michael Thomas ($500). Hislop didn’t file a fundraising statement for the period. Also, for whatever it’s worth, the Downey campaign Facebook page has more than 400 fans compared to Hislop’s 100. Downey said of his chances, “I think they’re pretty good.”
The following day he called back to amend the record. He’d said something in his interview that didn’t sit right, and it had been troubling him. “I think I said my chances were ‘pretty good,’” he said. “What I want to change that to is ‘excellent.’ … I believe my chances are excellent or I wouldn’t be running.”
Hislop is unimpressed. He said he doesn’t have any big-name endorsements and he’s not looking for them. “The big names that my opponent has are basically the sheriff’s people. That doesn’t mean anything to me.” He too considers his chances better than pretty good. “They’re very, very good,” he said. “People want to see some change in the Sheriff’s Office.”
There’s still almost three months to go before the June 8 election, which leaves plenty of time for the race either to continue going as it has been, or to head in a new direction.
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11 Comments
Comment / By Susan Fox / March 11, 8:42 p.m.
I think it’s time to head on over to Facebook and become a Downey fan. Hislop is scary with his “numerous degrees”. Bletch.
Comment / By Tammie Chapman / March 11, 9:53 p.m.
I don’t know Hislop personally, but I do know Downey as a close family friend. He is intelligent, thoughtful, hard working and caring. He is gifted in working with individuals on a personal level and with getting consensus among groups of people. I have never seen him make a rash decision and I have seen him in some pretty tense personal situations. Mike D. knows how to laugh at himself and that goes pretty far in my book.
Comment / By Humboldt Native / March 12, 12:46 a.m.
First of all: I think it is laughable that Hislop bases so much of his personal pride on his “numerous degrees” instead of his integrity or honesty or better yet, his ability to perform the job. Talk to his ex-coworkers (or ex-wives) and you’ll hear some horror stories about Hislops “integrity” and job performance. Attacking your opponent does not show intelligence, it shows pigheaded egotism, something that we already have TOO MUCH OF in our politicians these days. I found Downey’s comment regarding interagency relationships to be very true. The Sheriffs Office and the Da’s office share a building for petes sake.
If Hislop can’t prove he’s a better candidate without demeaning Downey or attacking the Sheriffs Office then I’d say Downey’s chances of winning are better than “excellent”: I’d say they are guaranteed.
Comment / By Richard Cardella / March 12, 11:08 a.m.
“…Pendleton Air Force Base?” When I was in the USMC Pendleton was a Marine base. Nit-picking aside, Downey’s my choice!
Comment / By Chris Lester / March 12, 1:08 p.m.
“led a SWAT team”
Comment / By Ignoranymous / March 14, 7:33 p.m.
They both look like pigs. I wonder what their diet is like, if it includes a lot of pork products and donuts. I’m going to vote for the one that looks like “Porky”.
Comment / By sohum boy / March 15, 8:31 p.m.
I know Downey and Hislop, I have spoken with both, I think that Hislop will be the better choice for Humboldt County.
He is commented to bringing service back to the people, and he is thinking outside the box in attempting to retain deputies on the street.
Comment / By Downey for Sheriff / March 16, 3:44 p.m.
Seems to me that most folks look to Downey as the most serious and qualified candidate for the job. If you want more information about Downey, check out his Facebook page, I did. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Elect-Mike-Downey-Humboldt-County-Sheriff/208400434108?ref=nf
Comment / By 5th Generation Californian / March 16, 7:51 p.m.
Mike Downey knows this county. He knows the people, the places, the history, its flaws, and it its beauty. I’ve never spoken with anyone in this county that doesn’t know his name. He has 24 years under his belt as a resident of Humboldt, working for Humboldt. You wouldn’t work somewhere that long if you hated it. NO QUESTION, as a born and raised Humboldt citizen, There is NOT a better man to fill Sheriff Philp’s shoes. I’ve seen Mike doing physical training and conditioning all over town, He’s ready to lace up and continue on his Epic Journey of making Humboldt County a Safer Community. You say “24 years???” I say hes just getting started!
Comment / By Wesley / March 20, 12:05 a.m.
Hislop is showing that he does not have confidence in himself. he is attacking Downey because he does not have “numerous Degrees” when you have been involved with the sheriffs office as long as Downey, Numerous Degrees mean nothing.when you start attacking such small things about your candidate, that shows how much of an egotistical pig you really are. Hislop only wants the position of sheriff for the bragging rights, not because he wants to lead the county in a new direction. he just sealed his loss in this race.
Comment / By Ignoranymous / March 22, 2:42 p.m.
I love goin’ to the pig fights!