The Orange County Board of Supervisors just winnowed down the list of candidates for sheriff to Sandra Hutchens, a former division chief with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters.
A final vote is now set for June 17. That’s despite a failed motion by Supervisor Chris Norby , who said Walters is the superior candidate and should be named today to help spare the sheriff’s department from the “limbo” it’s been in since the indictment of former Sheriff Mike Carona.
The other four supervisors said they want to wait for pending background checks.
Two sheriff’s candidates failed to get a single vote – former Lt. Bill Hunt and Beau Babka, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s undersheriff. LA Sheriff’s Cmdr. Ralph Martin got two votes. Anaheim Deputy Chief Craig Hunter, Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams and Richard Beemer of the San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department, each got one vote.
Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson, who was in the audience, also got just one vote. (click below for the vote totals)
Read my post from Hutchens’ interview last week here and Walters’ interview here.
Here are the vote totals and which supervisor voted for each candidate:
Hunt — 0
Hunter – Nguyen
Hutchens — Moorlach, Bates, Campbell, Nguyen
Adams — Moorlach
Anderson — Bates
Martin - Moorlach, Bates
Babka — 0
Beemer — Campbell
Walters — Bates, Campbell, Nguyen, Norby
Well congrats Jack Anderson all your political moves got you….nothing. Way to go.
A man should run the seat.
Not a woman.
,,,
Wow. Anderson is a clown, and it shows. Hutchens is a PC pick. Walters is a good person for the job.
Looks like the joke is on the tax payers again. LOL
Great…. guess the dept will have to wait 3 yrs to get a “real sheriff” and not a “OC Sup Sheriff”.
Anderson, time to pack the bags… you have done enough damage..
Paul Waters should have been elected back when he first ran, I think about 6 years ago. I do not understand how Corona won that election. He was dirty from the get go.
Seems to me the BOS now has the ability to put a real change agent in the Sheriff’s position. They have a clear choice between honesty and integrity or the same old Sheriff’s Department we have endured for many years. One of the two finalists has a reputation above reproach and is honest and ethical. The other is a product of OC’s political machine, changes party affiliation, double dips, and has a myriad of other “baggage”. So honesty and integrity (Hutchens) vs. Corona Administration II (Walters). The choice should be crystal clear.
BTW, Anderson’s political manuevering has paid off if Walters get the spot. Walters all but guaranteed Anderson’s survival in the upper echelon of the OCSD during his interview. Wow backroom deals already!!!!
So this Board of Supervisors just sent a BIG “UP YOURS” to the voters of Orange County by not casting ONE vote for the man responsible for standing up alone and calling attention to the culture of corruption around Mike Carona, Lt. Bill Hunt. Forget that fact, Bill Hunt was the second vote getter in the last election. Forget the fact their obvious choice, Paul Walters, endorsed and supported Mike Carona in exchange for special hiring privileges for his son.
This group of “Republicans” wouldn’t know what “Representative Government” means if it hit them smack in the face. By their actions today, they have shown they “Supervise” for special, well-heeled segments of the OCGOP only; the rest of us be damned!
It’s clear the Mike Carona fan club is still calling the shots within Orange County Government. Instead of troubling anyone of the Board with the fact Carona’s consultants are working for free for Paul Walters, it appears that was a plus in the minds of some because they too use the same firm…DOESN’T ANYBODY SEE THE CONNECTION HERE???
I have lived in Santa Ana for 27 years now. I have seen first hand what Paul Walters has done and what he hasn’t done as Chief of Police. While I know him personally, I could never support him for Sheriff nor think he has been fit to continue as Chief in my City for some time now. From the backroom double-dipping of taxpayer coffers to the most recent self-serving endorsement of Carona, in between there are any number of things that should disqualify him from receiving this backdoor appointment to Sheriff. My city is a war zone. If a Chief of Police can’t correct that in 20 years on the job, what makes you think he can do any better for an entire county?
Not that an out of towner from L.A. who didn’t say one thing about the corruption while it was going on here, is anymore deserving of the appointment. She did get the expected PC female votes which was not surprising, but to even be seriously considered for something you didn’t give a damn about less than a year ago, totally baffles my mind.
Next to the Carona debacle my County Party Leadership put us through by ignoring our bylaws and allowing for a re-vote for the Indicted Carona, this ranks a very close second as the saddest day for the Republican Party of Orange County in recent times by watching the Board of Supervisors usurp the will of the voters and cast aside ethical governance for self-serving puposes.
Shame on the lot of you! Orange County, stand by for “Carona, the sequel!”
Semper Fidelis,
Tim Whitacre
I just going to sit back and enjoy the verbal beat-down
that you guys are giving the BOS clowns. Keep up the good work.
“Paul Waters should have been elected back when he first ran, I think about 6 years ago. I do not understand how Corona won that election. He was dirty from the get go.”
I think you answered your own question Duane. Dirty politics and fundraising got him elected.
Mr. Tim Whitacre, VERY WELL STATED. Just thought I’ld apraise you for comment.
ToThePoint, are you talking about the Moorlach’s SUPES??? ;+)
Point of clarification on my post at 11:12: After re-reading what I wrote about the some of the Supervisors using the same consulting firm, that is an inferrence to cronyism from the BOS and I am in no way implying corruption on behalf of the consultants who I know and respect.
Time to clean house. Let a woman run it and she’ll clean the heck out of it. Cobwebs, cronies, con men.
Candidate Hutchins is the superior candidate.
I can tell you from first hand experience that Sandra Hutchens was an oustanding administrator in the LASD. When she was the captain of Norwalk Station the troops LOVED her! The contract cities liked her as well. She will be an outstanding Sheriff! I’m glad the BOS saw that.
Paul Walters will be an honest hardworking leader— way to go!
Lt. Hunt was on Corona’s bandwagon until everyone jumped ship. Then Hunt saw an opportunity and turned on Corona. Haidl’s son happened on Hunt’s watch in SC
That was quite a tantrum Tim,. The fact that your candidate of choice didn’t receive a single vote obviously hurts but I think you’re being unfair to the candidates that did make the final cut.
The double dipping you refer to could be said of several candidates. In fact only those who currently work for OCSD (anderson/hunt) would not be double dipping all the others are currently working for or retired from another agency so they would in effect be receiving two paychecks.
As for Sandra Hutchens, she obviously cares about the corruption scandal surrounding the Sheriffs Department. The fact that she didn’t get in line first (as your candidate did) doesn’t lessen her qualifications for the job. I found her to be thoughtful, educated and reasoned. She would make a fine sheriff and you do her a disservice by calling her a “PC” vote.
Most appalling is your assertion that Paul Walters sold his endorsement to Mike Carona in order to obtain a job for his son. Do you have proof? Or are you just spewing venom in blind anger? Could it just be that nobody cared for your candidate Tim?
Let’s face facts, your guy never had a chance. And it’s not because he failed to kiss the proper butts, it’s because his management skills were probably the least representative of an executive law enforcement manager (with maybe the exception of Beau). In order for your guy to get the vote the board had to make a huge leap of faith and put their reputations on the line. Somehow I don’t think he earned that leap of faith, but I’m sure you’ll disagree.
If it’s Walters, welcome to the world of more corruption and an uncontrolled police force in the OC, just like in Santa Ana, where they like to harass innocents in a physical manner. The complaints are documented. Isn’t this an exciting time for the OC.
Anybody who watched the interviews would know that Adams and Martin were MUCH more qualified than Hutchens. The BOS gave her the PC womens vote. Did you notice that Pat Bates was the only supe to vote for Anderson? That was pretty revealing. Why would she vote for the guy? Norby wants Walters so bad that he wanted to forego the background checks. Maybe he’s afraid some dirt will come out. The way this county is run even if they find some dirt it will be swept under the rug anyway. Walters is a big union guy and a loyal insider republican so he’ll fit in just fine. It’s business as usual. The more things change the more they stay the same.
Tim–
Time to dial 1-800-WAAHHHH….
Where are some of you getting your facts or lack of facts? I have known all about Paul Walters and his famiy for years. First, he has never endorsed Corona nor liked him. He has been calling him corrupt for years, but none of the Orange County people would listen. Second of all, his younger son has never been given any favors. To the contrary, he has been picked on and given a hard time because of who his father is. There has been discrimination against him because his Father was the Chief of Santa Ana. I know I have seen this first hand. This is the mere reason Paul Walters’ older son went to the LAPD. He did not want to be discriminated against. And you can not say there were any favors given to him. He worked hollenbeck division, crash (gang units), was in the elite metro unit, worked as a supervisor in 77th (south central) division and is now a Lieutenant at Rampart. Nothing was given to him by his Dad. He did this all on his own. Thirdly, I do not know what baggage you are talking about? This family is the most kind, honest, hardworking, intelligent people to come around in years. They have integrity and can not be made into puppets. You are defaming someone you know nothing about. If the baggage you are referring to is Paul Walters’ divorce then you need to wake up. Many people get divorced. You need to look at the reasons for the divorce. Paul Walters was an amazing, loyal husband to a woman who was and is very emotionally unstable. I have seen first hand the verbal abuse and threats he received from her. He is a saint for staying with her as long as he did. He should be applauded for his faithfullness and loyalty to his wife for so many years. Other men would have left long ago and never looked back. None of the family members speak to the ex-Mrs. Walters because she is so trouble some. Her sons have nothing to do with her nor do her grandchildren. The bottom line is Paul Walters has shown such an honor system. He is an amazing husband, father, grandfather and Chief. You could not have a better human being running the Sheriffs department.
You are an honorable man, Whitacre, who serves the citizens of this County well by pointing out the cronyism and corruption of the Orange County Republiklan Party. Central Committee for Republiklans is a joke, and they have driven out a lot of great potential leadership, which is a shame, because when they County is the most corrupt, is when we needed these potential leaders the most. God Bless Bill Hunt for coming forth and telling us about the corruption in the OCSD and especially with Indicted Former Sheriff Carona, and as for the Supes telling us “UP YOURS, CITIZENS” I say a resounding “UP YOURS” back!
Tim Whitacre - I hope you are happy. When you opposed the endorsement of Supervisor Janet Nguyen by your party you pretty much damned any chance that Bill Hunt had.
That said, Martin was the best candidate. I am shocked that he had only two votes.
Walters is a horrible Chief of Police in Santa Ana. He would be an awful choice as our next Sheriff. I hope Hutchens gets the job.
Just drive around Santa Ana so you can see how badly Walters is failing at his job…
Art Pedroza
Santa Ana, CA
http://www.orangejuiceblog.com
I hate it when Pedroza invades the blog…he actually makes me look sane. I guess he missed the last shuttle back to Mars…
I am simply shaking my head in disbelief. I want to echo the comments of Tim Whitacre regarding this outcome. For the Board of Supervisors to come down a choice of Sheriff between a disinterested cop who did nothing to stand up for Orange County while Carona carried on with his corruption, and a dirty cop who endorsed Carona and has his own similar issues in Santa Ana; they truly have to be playing backroom politics while kicking the voting public to the curb at the same time!!!
This simply reeks of elitism at its worst. The various elitists factions within the GOP establishment who blindly supported Carona has directed their bought and paid for BOS to select anyone BUT Bill Hunt lest they have their noses rubbed in their own stinking cra#$ a second time and have to watch Hunt clean up their mess and restrict their access to the Sheriff.
The voting public has told the BOS they want Bill Hunt for Sheriff to restore integrity and trust to the leadership of the Sheriff’s department. He was the second highest vote getter and in the most recent poll, the one who they’d vote for again.
Who does the BOS go with? The BOS gladly obliges the Republican elitists so that each of their coffers can be filled and they can be guaranteed support for election after election. What a sad, sad day for Orange County. We have the “best” Board of Supervisors money can buy…
BOS = POS…… Sadly, I am not surprised at the results.
Walters is the best choice and will make a great Sheriff
AS usual Whiticare&Pedorsa are talking out thei A**I have lived in Santa Ana for 20 years and everyone I know is very happy with the job Walters has done aw Chief.Seems the city council was so pleased thye wanted him to stay as Chief after he retired. When he became Chief the dpeartment was at its lowest due to the previous Chief who had been Fired. Walters turned the Dpeartment and made it one of the best in the county.He did this by restoring Honesty&Intergerity something that has been severly lacking with Carona and Now Anderson.Walters is what the Sheriffs Department needs!!!!!~
Walters will be a good choice, he is a shrewd manager, but he needs to marginalize Anderson as soon as the republican coast is clear. I understand his need to appease the power brokers to get appointed, but watch where Anderson eventually lands…… how about Captain of the Harbor, then let Newport Beach PD take it over and they can keep him and he can wash the yachts of the power elite who control the BOS.
Hunt is a good man, but the anger from his spokesman and the constant whining has really become tiresome. Face the fact that Hunt just didn’t have the experience that was necessary to fix the problems in the OCSD. 3 years as the lieutenant in charge of police services for the tiny city of San Clemente is hardly a proving ground for the type of work that lays ahead.
I believe Hunt had a bright future ahead of him if only he had more time to develop. His naivete and the brash, pejorative laden tirades of his self righteous spokesman are a clear indication of his lack of experience in navigating through this process. And now that he is no longer an active law enforcement officer his chances to reach the top spot become increasingly unlikely. What a shame. So much talent, so much to offer and so many dreams that will go unrealized.
Hmm. Very interesting to be sure. So it seems Moorlach is not so deep into clutches of the OCGOP establishment as I thought. He didn’t vote for Walters. Bates is AC/DC by voting for the County Clubbers or the Schroeder sect. Either way, she might be able to avoid paying a KaZillion dollars for her re-election campaign. It pays to leave your options open ya know. Now Norby is the most interesting observation of all. To him, Walters is far more qualified than Hutchens. Well Chris, teaching High School kids for 18 years has probably caused a few screws to come lose and that is understandable. (Now I “get” his questions to the candidates). Norby’s semi-hysterical rush to judgement can only mean two things. One. Chris will be termed out in two years and he doesn’t want to answer to some mean ol’ principal. Two. To avoid item number one, he wants his former handlers , the ones who now advise Walters, to later assist him to avoid this most unplesant scenario. It keeps his checking account in the black. Saaweeett! As for Hunt, he is a good man and for him no good deed goes unpunished. He took on Carona and his handlers on for the right reasons and he paid the price. “Fairness” will never be on the Board of Supervisor’s agenda unless, of course, it is in their best interests. I’m not for a candidate as much as I’m against the competition. So to eliminate Anderson and Martin is a good thing. With that said, Hutchens was my second, albeit longshot, choice. She was as impressive (I’m on record for that) as she was honest and I’m not alone on that one either. The question will be simply, is she more qualified than Walters. Yes, she is and you can take that to the bank. If Walters is appointed, well then, we might as well be resigned that a select few will continue to tell us what is in our best interest. The notion of checks and balances (non-existant) and the continued appearance of corruption will remain. You get the picture.
P.S. As for T-Rack and his DNA lab grab. This gal will eat him for lunch and so be it.
The BOS didn’t have the nads to appoint Hunt due to the pending civil rights violation lawsuit, which now adds additional credibility to the action.
They missed an opportunity to right a wrong, but didn’t….The BOS just added a few more zero’s onto the back of that check for Mr. Hunt!
Much can happen in the next two weeks. Hutchens and Walters will be under the microscope. Hutchens will come out on top as she has an impressive personal background to match her work resume. Walters on the other hand has not exactly been a boy scout.
In the end it will be up to the same five elected officals with equal votes. Norby and Moorlack won’t change so it is really up to these three to decide - Bates, Campbell & Nguyen.
Pressure will be applied and it is on.
Pat, Bill & Janet please consider carefully and remember you will really have to “live with” your decision. The one with the most baggage, the most political connections and the most ego will get into the most trouble and cause voters to point the blame back at you.
Good luck.
Sandra Hutchins must be the Orange County’s Sherriff, she is an outatanding officer and a elegent lady, I had the honor of travelling with her to Pakistan, meeting with President Mushraff and be a part of security briefings was great.
Here in LA she was most helpful in heping form Muslim American Homeland Security Congress (MAHSC) initiated by Sherriff Lee Baca.
She is well travelled internationally, and a very professional officer with a heart and smartness that makes her fit for the job. OC needs a new Sherriff, and Ms. Hutchens deserve the post more than others.
If Walters gets the appointment, could he take Hunt as part of his management team? As I recall, Hunt was a huge supporter of Walters when he ran against Carona after Brad Gates retired.
Now if Hutchens gets the appointment, would Hunt consider being part of her team? LOL. My guess is that would only happen if she can still fit into her wedding dress.
The reason Hunt didn’t even get one vote was Becasue of Whitcare and how he P***** of the Bos especailly Janet nguyen by the way he tried to sabotage her support with the republican party.So Tim you really did a great job for Hunt. Pedroza NO One listens to you when it comes to Walters as you have no creditibility.It just a appears you have a personal axe to grind back up by no facts.