Boon Or Bane?: Harford Sheriff Set To End Speculation By Announcing Re-Election Plans Thursday
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Despite speculation he would run for Harford County Executive or even Harford County Council in 2010, Sheriff L. Jesse Bane appears to be on the verge of announcing his plans to run again for the office he won in 2006.
The Fallston resident was one of the only Democrats to win elected office in Harford County in 2006, when he defeated Republican Norm Cochran, but there has been persistant rumbling – almost since he was elected – that Bane might have his eyes set on another prize.
The political rumor mill had Bane alternately running for the Harford County Council District B seat or challenging David Craig for County Executive. Those whispers were silenced recently when it became known Bane would announce his re-election plans during a fundraiser Thursday at the Maryland Golf and Country Club.
Bane’s impending announcement not only takes some of the speculation out of the county executive and county council races in 2010, it also will shake up what was expected to be a crowded ballot of candidates running for sheriff.
No fewer than 7 candidates, most Republicans, have already started laying the groundwork for a run at the county’s top law enforcement position.
Among those rumored to have interest in running for sheriff are Roger Sheets formerly of the Baltimore County Police Department, former sheriff candidates Norm Cochran and Dave Tritt, Nick Paros formerly of the Maryland State Police, Jeffrey Gahler of Maryland State Police, Aberdeen Police Capt. Ken Cox, Jack Meckley of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and recently retired Sheriff’s Office Maj. Steven Bodway.
I won’t vote for him again, his personal vendettas are a little too much for me. Out of the bunch, I would vote for either Paros or Meckley.
Well then, if personal vendettas are a little too much for anyone, don’t vote for Cox from Aberdeen! He wrote the book! Meckley is a surprise and a pretty cool guy. Should be interesting.
HEY BIC YOU DONT LIKE COX???
I’am not a ware of any personal vendettas’s of Cox’s. but theres nothing like airing the dirty’ laundry before it’s time to vote.
I don’t think Cox holds any personal grudges, I’ve delt with him before (both good and bad) and when he gets mad, he gets over it and moves on. My only problem with him is his lack of formal education. He could be a ‘dark horse’ in this race but I would stand by my Paros or Meckley. Both are down to earth guys and have great ideas. I think either one would move the agency forward. I think Bane is holding everyone back. He’s more of a politician and needs to get out of law enforcement.
Whats with the vendettas…can somone explain for those of us that are not in that loop.
umm…yea Bane burnt too many bridges for me to vote him in again. Im not sure who I will vote for and The Dagger sure wont be the first to know. LOL
I remember the sherrifs dept busting each other during the last election…vauge memory….does somone have a better recollectioin?
Go Dagger!
I suppose people change as they age. some for the better. some not. ken cox worked a case for me some time back. He ran in too the I’am not telling you any thing crowd. Privacy act etc.
Some time back is meaning to say’ when he was a working, detective. he was pleasant very professional.he appeared very relaxed & confident. the privacy garbage did’nt work with him.
He brought to light, another sex offender. he was charged with the crime. he is listed on Harford county sex offenders list.
I’m not surprised by some of the names who, speculatively, will be throwing their hats into the ring for Sheriff in 2010. I know EACH and EVERY one of these men personally. Let me just start by saying EGO. Ken Cox will fail miserably when his dirty laundry hits the wind. He’s no better, and can I mention, in the brotherhood of men who were run out of dodge in the last election for running a corrupt three ring circus. He and Howard Walter are VERY good friends. Could Howard be planning a tenth life (he used the other nine) in yet another position with the Sheriff’s Office through Ken Cox. Jack Meckley is a good guy, but lacks the chops needed for a job at this level. Nick Paros is a nice fellow too, but again, lacks the backbone needed to guide the largest law enforcement agency in Harford County. Again, Cunningham is in the pocket of the last administration and if I were a betting man, he would probably also resurrect Howard Walter in some way with a shiney new high paying job at the Sheriff’s Office. The other names mentioned are all fine fellows too, but again, lack the experience needed for this job. I’d like to see what ‘burned bridges’, the above person mentioned, was in reference to with regard to Bane. Most likely he didn’t pander to something they wanted from him and now they’re pouting. Bane is a good man. He’s done more for the sheriff’s office than anyone in recent times. I challenge anyone to dig up dirt on this guy. He’s clean as a whistle and a credit to the type of work he does. Go Bane……see you in 2010.
Good discipline, professional officers:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.deputy09sep09,0,1804329.story
Wonder if Rothwell will play the victory party!
How stupid…stupid…stupid…stupid…stupid…can a person be.
Go Dagger !
Isn’t he one of the elie gang busters in Edgewood? The cream of the crop?
Rwinger … if that’s the case is it any wonder we have so many problems?
Go Dagger !
When Sheriff Bill Kunkel stepped down from the high office of Sheriff, a series of back-biting, bickering buffoons began begging for attention and finding fault with everything in the department…a department which by the way was run without back stabbing from the men under Kunkel.
Now it’s back to the same old crap, of a bunch of Union sissies, namely the head of the Union who was caught with his shoes off, sleeping on the job…and he should have been fired, not retained as a lawman.
I say clean out the men and women who aren’t proud to serve the people of the county, they’re lucky to have a job…and it’s an honorable job, only if the folks who wear the badge and tote the gun are honorable, and do the job they are supposed to do….
Sheriff Bane is a good man, he rose through the ranks, and he will no doubt be re-elected…and the more who run, the merrier for the incumbant.
keep in mind, the county is fast becoming the last frontier of rural country life…a life where kids respected the law, parents respected teachers…and lawmen and lawwomen were the examples of life as it should be…
The Dagger has recently learned that Jeffrey Gahler of Maryland State Police is also expected to run for sheriff in 2010.
Hiram Lodgepole I agree with you’ can you remember chester narvel? kunkel was a good sheriff. Bane seem’s to be allowing, to much horse play in too his department.
Vet- Sheriff Bane isn’t “allowing to(sp) much horesplay in too(sp) his department.”
On the contrary, he has been more proactive than most of his recent predecessors in getting rid of these types, inasmuch as LEOBR will allow.
(sound of me climbing up on my soapbox)
The problem is more generationally based than leadership based. Look at these guys ID#s. Are they 200’s? 400’s? or 800’s?
Todays officers were raised on “COPS,” “Super Troopers,” and “Reno 911.” Some get into the job for the three g’s: guns gas(adrenaline) and girls. No badge bunny is safe. Todays officer wants it now, and he’ll tell you up front that he’ll bounce if he doesn’t get it. They want to “specialize,” whether it’s traffic, drugs, vice, tactical teams, whatever. Never mind that there’s guys with more training, knowledge, and experience ahead of them.
A few, too few, still consider it a calling more than a vocation. These are the guys who are the first on a call and the last off. The guys the supervisors will go to when they want something done, done right, and done right now. The guy who knew coming into the job that it would mean shiftwork, missed meals, missed holidays, missed Rec League games, and the occasional spousal discord.
No, Vet, there is no leader alive who can meet all of the needs and demands of this new generation of police. To his credit, Sheriff Bane has shown a great deal of resolve thusfar in “trying” to weed out the few bad apples in what is becoming a larger and larger apple cart.
(sound of me getting off of my soapbox)
Very well spoken Dell. I grew up in a time’ when police officers were known on a first name basis. there was a lot of friendly’ bantering. we were warned about drag raceing. on rte#155 & jarrett’s ville pike. bynum run just past fountain green.
One officer who stood out was Ray caddilac. a man who stood out as a trooper he was known for giveing a ticket & then paying the parent’s a visit. as too what mommy’s babies were in to.
the police interceptor’s were fast. but those 1955’s & 1957 chevy’s were souped up and ready too go. then came the pontiac gto’s the ford ltd’s etc.s I will give bane a chance to stand out. he has’nt done such a bad job as of yet.
Just to put the issue to rest, I am not running for sheriff in this election. I take issue with SARg who says I don’t have the backbone to run the department. It is clear from that statement that you don’t know me very well, or even at all, if not having a backbone and Nick Paros cross you mind at the same time. I appreciate the respect I see from fellow members of law enforcement who posted to this blog, and can assure you that when Jesse Bane decides to step down, the name Nick Paros will resurface in future elections. Until then, I will continue to be very supportive of the sheriff and the allied law enforcement agencies who patrol Harford County. Remember Sage, I had a very fulfilling and rewarding career with many of you. Lets keep it clean and respectful. Thanks
Mr. Paros: I’m sure you are respectful of the current sheriff, especially since he appears to be “unbeatable” in any election. However, now might be the time to make your move because, from what I am hearing, the citizens of Harford County are so completely disgusted with the government officials, that they are not voting for anyone, I mean anyone, currently in office, be it Craig, Boniface or Bane.
Blue,
Thank you for your input, and I appreciate your honesty. I have always wanted to run for sheriff and have been encouraged by many in the department to do so, however, the timing has to be right for me and my family. The job of sheriif, to do it right, is more than a 70 hour per week job. I have children under the age of 8 and want to give them as much of my attention as I can during these important years. The fact that Jesse bane or anyone else is running has absolutely no bearing on my decision, but my family comes first at this time. I will still be supportive of whoever wins and can guarantee that you will see my name in a future race. Thanks again for your comment and look forward to your future support.
Blue:
You are certainly right. It is time for new blood in Harford County government. The County Executive, President of the Council, and all Council Members should be replaced with intelligent people who know that the good of the County is more important then their petty, semi-public spats. I live in Fallston and can assure you that Boniface and Craig have very little support in the community and Joe Woods has no chance at being elected. Change is a coming’
Mr Paros it’s Apparent you are and intelligent man. Family values are most certainly emportant. but the public expect’s Blood sweat & tears. from any one who is willing to accept a position of authority.
When Jesse Bane decides to “hang up the badge and spurs”, I can think of no one better to replace him then Nick Paros.
We now have and indorsment. from the Honorable Dan Riley.
After Sheriff Bane, I think the next Sheriff will have some very big shoes to fill. I wonder though, why wouldn’t anyone mention Greg Carlevaro as a possible future successor? He would seem like the perfect fit.
I don’t see how anyone in their right mind would want to be Sheriff next year. The budget may have spared the Sheriff’s Department for now, but they won’t be so lucky the next go round. I know of plenty of waste in the Sheriff’s Department, but there is no way Bane is going to sacrifice any of his pet “feel good” projects such as the Citizens Academy, Youth Academy, etc., in an election year so he’s going to have to cut something or someone out. The union won’t let him take away their cars and other perks so the only other place to cut is personnel. Good Luck with that and I don’t imagine that’s a headache Paros, Carlevaro or anyone else would want, even though both are fully qualified to lead the department.
Blue,
You should maybe talk to people who have the authority to inform you of the cuts that have been made within the sheriff’s office already that have saved thousands of dollars already. One example ask about the creation of the court liason officer who works with the courts, SA’s office,and deputies to avoid having deputies spend un needed hours in court on Overtime. I am sure this has saved tens of thousands of dollars in the budget. Other measures such as this have been enacted to reduce spending in the sheriffs and allow it to operate with a bare bones budget.
Tim: Thank you for informing me about the court liason officer. However, I would like to hear of other ways he is cutting costs. Since the Sheriff’s department received the entire amount of the budget money they submitted, with no across the board percentage cut, I find it very hard to believe that they “operating with a bare bones budget”. Maybe next fiscal year, but certainly not this one.
The BRAC committee has estimated the Sheriffs OFFICE, will need at a minimum 56 more Deputies over the next three years just to keep up with the work. I agree there is a lot of wasted money spent at the Sheriff’s Office and in government in general. It is time the bidding process is changed to help save costs!
Also if the general citizens only knew that on any given night there are only 14 deputies working the road- 9 down south (bel air south) and 5 up north (bel air points north) they would be appalled. Harford Counties police officer to person rate is dismal! And that is even if you include the State (usually only has 1-3 troopers a night). Look at any other large county and compare numbers. The Sheriff’s Office alone handled over 200,000 calls for service last year! I could go on but to say it midly, we are under some major growing pains!
The other night MSP had one trooper and one K9 working the road.
Minimum staffing levels for the sheriff’s office are actually even lower than that unless you’re including road supervisors.
Yeah I was told that each shift has different minimums but the evening shift has the highest so I used them for the example to be fair. I would assume they are the busiest of the shift. It is really crazy when you think of it how much these guys and gals handle every day. I do agree it is part of the job handling alarms and nuisance calls though. But I am proud to live in Harford County where we have a very good group from my interactions.
The savings in court overtime is probably more significant that you realize. Court time was by far the biggest OT expenditure. I know several deputies who haven’t had to show for criminal court even one time since they assigned someone to be a court liaison officer where in the past they frequently would have 10-20 hours or more of OT just for court every month.
I’ll vote for a sheriff who is going to start an aviation unit. Look at the population increase in the last 20 years. This county, like Baltimore County, needs an aviation unit. The State Police Medivac is primarily for medical emergencies. How many high speed chases, lost kids, lost hikers, armed robbers, and dust offs at drug hot spots can come to quick and safe endings with an aviation unit. If the sheriff’s department is the premier law enforcement agency then the sheriff should show it. Hug-A-Thug in Edgewood doesn’t show me squat. The department is the same as it was when Bane was in charge of patrol, when he did nothing but look out for his buddies.
Court overtime savings is fine but it’s minute when you look at the extra command staff positions that were added. BTW, I hear that arrests are down.
Sharon: I agree with you 100%. This county’s sheriff’s department is so behind the times. Bane is still living in the past and it is stifling his deputies. He thinks touchy-feely is the way to go rather than being hard-nosed. He needs to be more like Sheriff Joe Arpaio from Maricopa Co, Arizona. Criminals actually fear that guy because he is no-nonsense. The criminals don’t fear Bane because he believes his programs in Edgewood are deterring crime. All it’s doing is scattering the criminals elsewhere thoughout the county. He needs to start acting like a cop and not a social worker. And the ratio of deputies to supervisors is ridiculous. Do these law enforcement officers really need one on one supervision? Of course not, but Bane keeps creating new units so he has somewhere to put all his command staff. So any money saved from the new court liason will enable Bane to promote more supervisors! You will never see an aviation unit unless these ridiculous promotions stop.
Personally I’ll be surprised if Harford County ever has an aviation unit. It costs a tremendous amount of money just to get one started and a tremendous amount more to maintain it. It’s very expensive to fly a helicopter (something $1000/hour or more I’ve heard) and that doesn’t account for maintenance and training costs.
Harford County’s population may be growing, but it’s still significantly smaller than Baltimore County. There are several nearby agencies nearby with helicopters who routinely help us out for medivacs, searches, etc. Despite what you see on TV helicopters are absolutely useless for the vast majority of vehicle pursuits. Unless the chopper is already in the air (not likely) and in the area (again, not likely) the pursuit will likely be over before it even gets off the ground.
In any case, if you think people bitch and moan about the sheriff’s office budget now just imagine what they’ll be saying if an aviation unit is started requiring millions in start up costs (which probably could be at least partially funded by grants) and likely millions more to maintain it yearly (which wouldn’t be covered by grants.)
DW: Only MSP does Medivacs. Baltimore City and County have aviation and only once in the past years has Baltimore County been called because the “premier” law enforcement agency has it’s head stuck up it’s butt and has ego issues, how dare an outside agency be called in.
For your information every “car chase” expert including pursuit and non-pursuit supporters agrees that one thing that they can’t out run is a helicopter. The bird should be flying random patrols, what good is a parked helicopter.
At least citizens would see the helicopter and know that the sheriff’s office is actually doing something. There is more to police work than stopping white people driving in Edgewood and asking to search their cars, playing a round of Hug-A-Thug when there are 20 standing on the basketball court drinking beer and a deputy drives by and waves, and certainly more to police work than promoting your friends to command positions.
Sharon,
I’ve been involved in several pursuits and not one has lasted anywhere near long enough to get a chopper off the ground and in the area of the pursuit. Most have lasted under 10 minutes. The criminal can’t outrun a chopper, but I never said he could. The fact is most pursuits around here are over well before the choppe would get off the ground.
Spending millions of dollars on something that for Harford County would likely have marginal value just so you think the “Sheriff’’s Office is actually doing something” is a poor allocation of resources.
As far as Baltimore County being called up here, usually we’ll call them only if MSP isn’t available and just about every situation I’ve been involved in where we called for aviation MSP was available and responded. In extreme cases DSP has even come over to help, though that’s extremely rare.
In an economy where everyone’s budgets are being cut or remaining flat, people are being laid off, revenues are down, and services cut starting an aviation unit is about the last thing that should even be considered. Do you have any idea how much it would cost to have a helicopter “flying random patrols” around the county?
As far as your racist comments about stopping white people in Edgewood and searching their cars, are you trying to say that you get stopped because you’re white and driving around Edgewood? Personally if I stop a car on Brookside Dr and the people in it live in Bel Air, Fallston, or some other part of the county not even close to Edgewood you’re damn right I’ll be doing more investigation about why they’re in that area.
And about promoting friends to command positions…what the hell does that have to do with what patrol deputies are doing or not doing according to you?
I think Sharon has a valid point about racial profiling. Intimidation tactics and misplaced bravado give your brothers and sisters a bad name. Show me the candidate that will stand outside of the FOP on a Friday night and arrest drunk drivers and they’ve got my vote. I also think that it should be illegal to display a badge to incur favor after being pulled over by an on duty officer. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been cut off or seen someone driving with complete disregard for public safety only to see the FOP vanity tags or the thin blue line sticker. It’s abhorrent disgraceful behavior, and those who look the other way are tarnishing the badge of those who serve with honor.
i agree it does tarnish the image but i think they are the one percenters. By the way I know a lot of people with the blue line stickers who are not cops. Jut like I have a yellow ribbon sticker for military but I am not in the military. It just shows support.
What they need is an orange ribbon for courteous drivers, haha
A lot of gang bangers drive around with thin blue line stickers because they think it reduces their chances of getting searched or even stopped in the first place (it doesn’t…except maybe with the cops who wouldn’t stop and/or search them anyway…)
A lot of people driving around with FOP tags aren’t actually officers either (especially the ones driving like assholes.) Frequently they’re family members (or even ex-cops who left the profession for one reason or another, but still have FOP tags….I’ve stopped a couple that fall in that category.)
i cant believe what i am hearing. most of you have no idea what you are talking about. the sheriff’s office works harder than you will ever know. they are expected to do more with less, overtime and training is cut. the patrol guys and gals that do the real police work, coming to your house when you call 911 because you let your friend move in and now he or she wont leave. the deputies working edgewood handle tons of calls, and now that MSP is hardly taking calls for service it is even worse. leave them alone, when you need them they are there. and more importantly, let them do their job. we can all help with the budget, the sheriff’s office would need less personnel if you all stopped letting your kids play with the phone and call 911, stop calling 911 because your neighbor parked his car in front of your house, or because the neighbors dog is barking, or because your ex, whom you made the decision to live with or reproduce with, is now harassing you or refusing to leave, or because juveniles are playing basketball in the street, oh and get your alarms fixed so they dont go off for no reason forcing deputies to go out and check your residence. wow-that accounts for 90% of the calls for service. see we can all help!
Get over it. False alarms are a revenue source for the county these days. Last summer I saw an officer hiding behind a utility pole to check on cars at a red light then radio ahead that they didn’t have their seat belts on. Go for a ride around 4am & you’ll see a few nappers. Every job has it’s up and downs. When a call comes out because a resident has a problem with a neighbor do you go and tell them to take matters into their own hands?
Tim’s right…probably close to 90% of the calls I go to are complete bs…malfunctioning alarms (residential and business….and there are some people and businesses who owe literally hundreds or thousands of dollar in false alarm fines), barking dogs (then they call back and say we don’t need to respond because the owner brought the dog in…except that they called 911 so we still have to respond), kids playing with the phone (or my favorite…parents who have their kids dial 911 to show them that when they call 911 the police show up…), people who for some mysterious reason mistake 911 for 411, kids playing basketball too loud, fireworks complaints on the 4th of July (to the point where the Sheriff’s Office has to pay people OT to come in to do nothing but handle fireworks complaints), adults who act like they’re in 2nd grade and can’t get along with their neighbors, etc
I won’t even get started on the domestic calls…some of them are legit and there is a real issue, but most of the time it’s the same people calling because their “baby’s daddy done lost his mind” (or baby’s momma…take your pick) and he/she didn’t bother to do what we told them to do the last 6 times they called
actually only about 15% of calls are alarm related. Tim probably works daytime so there is increased numbers on that shift
Meckley is the clear choice!
Proactive and forward thinking he is the kind of person you need leading the department forward.
Its time for a new perspective and I personally believe that Meckley has his heart in the right place. He’s got my vote!
I agree with DHB. Meckley is young enough to embrace new ideas and not be stuck in the past yet he has 2 decades of experience with the agency so he has a handle on what needs to be done. He is very personable so he will get along with his employees and the public yet it will be clear that he is in charge. His sign will be in my yard.
Rumors abound every time an election for County Sheriff is held…
my choice is still Jesse Bane…all things considered…for certain he’s a dedicated law man…of extreme conscience…
and his staff seems outstanding…
of course, with all these men running…we might see another run from the classic…J.D. Shellnut…”The Law’s On My Side!!”
Well, well, well. Tis’ once again the season for politicians to make promises to everybody. I see there are a couple of varying opinions on the Sheriff’s race. Some are from people that obviously know Sheriff Bane and how he operates. Two are from one guy that is, no doubt, a friend of Sheriff Bane.
I recall that during his 2006 campaign, Sheriff Bane made a promise to the deputies that “I will remove politics from the Sheriff’s Office when I am elected”. Hmmmmm, I’ve heard grumblings that over the past couple of years that internal politics is alive and running rampant. Doesn’t that seriously demoralize the troops? Doesn’t that have a direct negative effect on the troops attitude toward the public? Doesn’t that have a direct negative effect on the quality of the service the public receives? Doesn’t that make for a hostile work environment? I guess that Sheriff Bane “forgot” to remove the politics from his office, as he promised.
Oh, I suppose he’s just too busy “socializing” with the public, and other politicians attending banquets and various social affairs. He probably is a “nice guy” and fun to have a drink or two with, but is he really the great police administrator that he claims to be? I have serious doubts.
Wise Old Guy: You just don’t know how true your words are. He is living in the past, his feet are stuck in the mud, his thoughts are regressive and his actions are non-existent. I hope to hell he is swept out of office next year, but sadly enough, he has the public fooled. Morale is so pitiful there and not only did he break his promise of the office being “non-political”–politicism, favortism and nepotism are running rampant. I will not vote for that man and I hope others see through him.
Blue: I got charged up when I read your other entries. I agree with you 100%!!! After reading this blog, I’d bet the ranch that 90%, or more, deputies feel the same way. That would be interesting to know, wouldn’t it?
People should be happy when they go to work, shouldn’t they? People should want to go to work, shouldn’t they? Happy people that want to go to work present a positive image, a positive attitude and are more productive, aren’t they? I’ve noticed that some of the deputies that I have seen didn’t look very happy at all. It was obvious to me that something was really bothering them. After all, they are human beings, not robots like a lot of people think.
It would be nice to see more postings about this particular race. If the citizens, and the deputies, have been tricked they deserve to know the truth, don’t they?
I have analyzed all of the candidates for Sheriff and have found the strongest and best suited for the job. But, I’m going to keep the results to myself…..just for a little while…..maybe.
I asked Sheriff Kunkel one time what the job discription of a Deputy was and he quickly responded,” Anything the Sheriff tells him to do.” Kunkel ran a tight department and with the exception of Meadows all of the Sheriffs since his reign have been weak leaders and soft on crime. Bane is good at chicken dinners and would be better suited in some sort of ministry after his term in office. On his watch public safety in Harford County has deminished inversely to the growth of his bloated budget. Having sat through the county budget process a number of times it is a real eye opener to see how many road officers and command staff make over $100,000 a year.
I dont know the numbers but I have friends in law enforcement and to be honest with you I think they should make more. Do you put on a vest to stop bullets when you go to work? Do you work shift schedule? Do you deal with the plight of society? Because they sure as hell do and although i could never do there job I am glad and proud we have people who do.
As a long-time Harford citizen, I believe Jesse Bane has done more already for both the department and the public than any previous Sheriff. He attends many citizen meetings (often on his own time)and as far as I know listens and tries to accommodate citizens’ comments. Unlike most, he seems quick to communicate and coordinate with other State and local police agencies. He has instituted many programs to inform the citizens about ongoing crime and crime prevention in Harford and is much more proactive as well as open to the public than our County Executive and County Council. No other Sheriff has held Town Halls trying to both inform the public and establish a better public relationship with the department. I don’t know about the rumors of politics in his department and I hope that is not true, but nobody and nothing is absolutely perfect. Maybe he has some leftover personnel problems from other administrations. It takes time to clean house these days and the whole Harford political machine is deep-rooted. I don’t know the other contenders for Sheriff and we always know there are other good people out there, but until he totally crashes and burns, Sheriff Bane has my support. Actually, we need more like him running for office. If he decided to run against Mr. Craig that would also be a very welcome change for all of us.
LetsTakeHarfordBack: Blue hit the nail right on the head in his comments about Sheriff Bane. I’ve only lived in Harford County for a little over 50 years and have come to know quite a few Deputies and several Sheriffs. I can tell you that things are not well internally at the Sheriff’s Office because of things that come from the top. As in any business organization, information spreads like wildfire throughout the organization. Don’t you think negatives coming from the top in a law enforcement organization have a direct negative effect on police services to the tax-paying citizens? It is obvious that the internal politics, which by the way I remember Mr. Bane saying he was going to abolish when he was campaigning in 2005/2006, are alive and well in the Sheriff’s Office. These are things that we, the citizens, are generally not privy to.
Lets: I have to agree with you that Bane is out there attending meetings and listening to the public, just as any other politician would be doing in an election year. You state that he has instituted many programs to inform the citizens of ongoing crime. Wouldn’t it be a whole lot better if, rather than informing the citizens about crime at meetings, he was meeting with his deputies devising ways to prevent the crimes so he wouldn’t need to keep you informed? You state that he is “proactive”. You need to get out your dictionary because you clearly don’t know the definition of the word. Not only is he NOT proactive, he isn’t even REactive. You are just one of many drinking the Jesse Bane Kool Aid. Jesse Bane is a “good person” but being a good person does not make you qualified to hold the position of Sheriff. He needs to stop hiring people when all the other agencies have a hiring freeze in effect, he needs to rethink opening the new wing of the jail and hiring 80 more personnel, he needs to open a ministry rather than run for sheriff so he can continue to be a “good person” and let someone else be an effective Sheriff. Ever hear of Joe Meadows? His ego and power got him into trouble, but ask any deputy who the most effecive Sheriff was and, without hesitation, everyone will say Joe Meadows. Was he well-liked? No. Was he respected? Yes because he got the job done. Is Bane well-liked? Yes. Does he get the job done? Unquestionably, no.
Blue: HALLELUJAH!!! I’m glad to see that more and more people are finally seeing through the smoke-screen to the ineptness of Jesse Bane as Sheriff!!! Agreed, he probably is a “nice guy” BUT, what the public does not see, and he does not want the public to see, no doubt, is how he operates the Office of the Sheriff internally. I understand that micro-management and vindictive methods of management are his style. Hmmmm, I’ll bet a paycheck that his administrative officers feel that they are walking on thin ice all of the time! Do you think that type of operation has filtered down through the rank and file? You betcha’!!! I have worked for a couple of bosses that operated that way and, in the end, they were all failures at their jobs.
The only thing that I disagree with you on is who was the most effective Sheriff of Harford County ever was. Meadows and his administration operated the Office of the Sheriff using fear tactics and was not the most effective Sheriff. The most effective Sheriff of Harford County was Sheriff William J. Kunkel. Sheriff Kunkel was the longest tenured Sheriff (18 years)in the history of our county. That’s 5 successful elections, then he retired. Sheriff Kunkel was reported to have run his office with an iron fist, but in the most fair and progressive way possible. That’s the type of Sheriff that is needed in Harford County.
I’m still analyzing the candidates, as stated in a previous blog entry, and I am coming to a conclusion in the very near future….
now since you keep saying it just tell us who you are favoring
john: After a long study of all five (I had to include the incumbent)candidates for Sheriff I am going to cast my vote for Mr. Steven Bodway for Sheriff in the Republican Primary and, hopefully, the General Election. I came about this conclusion by thoroughly reading each candidate’s website information. I only found one brochure and that was Mr. Bodway’s brochure. Taking the helm of the Office of the Sheriff is not an on-the-job training situation and it is not just for anyone. It requires extensive knowledge of what the law requires of the Sheriff, which in large part is much more than the knowledge and experience of just any cop. It also requires the ability to deal with my taxpayer money by developing the annual operational budget in the most efficient manner, which is something that has not been done in the last three, plus, years. I could go on and on, I suppose, but I think you get my point. The smart voter should make the same assessment and, no doubt about it, will come up with the same conclusion that I came up with. Too many people base their votes on “being a friend” of the candidate. Well, what if their choice is a great friend and a real socialite, BUT is not a personnel manager, is vindictive and lets a union run the show? Don’t you think there is a trickle-down effect of this type of operation all the way to the newest Deputy Sheriff? Don’t you think that this has a direct negative effect on the service that the citizens expect and deserve? Personally, I want a Sheriff that has the qualifications, proven leadership skills, FULLY understands the requirements of the Office of the Sheriff and is well-versed in operational, budget, and personnel management. So, now you know why I am going to vote for Mr. Bodway. You, and I pray that everyone else, should, too.
Why wouldn’t we like to try out a sheriff that was a decorated hard nosed road officer that made his way through the ranks managing deputies that became decorated hard nosed road officers? Where I live we certainly dont need a politician who is short on quality law enforcement and long on explaining away the growth in violent crime as a social issue rather than a police issue. I mean if we want to elect someone as sheriff that the unions love and control. is a great speaker and never misses a chicken dinner, we may as well ask Dutch to serve.
And wouldn’t Dutch be good at that? He is the back slappingest full of shit piece of work out there. “It’s all about end game.”
Wise Old Guy: You and I have always seemed to be in agreement on most things, but I believe we are in disagreement this time. I think you are more intelligent to base your vote on the fact that you were only able to find one candidate’s brochure. The others are out there. Actually, I don’t know if Gahler has formally filed or not. I know Bane, Bodway, Meckley and Sheets have. Or maybe it’s Sheets who hasn’t filed. In any event, I also know that you have more intelligence to believe every blurb you read in an advertisement, which is basically what the brochures and websites are. If you know anyone who works at the Sheriff’s Office, they will tell you what a despicable man Mr. Bodway is. He is arrogant, plays favorites, does not have the respect of the current officers and has so many skeletons waiting to pop out of the closet that it’s scary. He has taught ethics but has none himself, which is NOT the kind of person I want running my police department. I agree with you that the rank and file would love to have an “insider” rather than someone from outside the agency, and they would love to have someone who is in touch with the realities of working the streets. Bodway has not been on the street in at least 15 years. For these and for so many more reasons, I am supporting Lt. Jack Meckley. He has the respect of his people, which to me is the number one quality you need to hold the position of Sheriff. It all falls into place after that. If you would like to have a one-on-one with Lt. Meckley, all you have to do is call him or go onto his website or Facebook page and he will be happy to answer all of your questions AND give you his brochure. One thing we still agree on–Bane has to go.
Blue: Your reply indicates to me that you are a disgruntled employee of the Sheriff’s Office and you feel that you have an axe to grind with some, if not all, of the administrators, regardless of who they may be, or were. Mud-slinging is a very immature way to support your candidate. If you are, in fact, a Deputy, you should be sure of any facts and not rely on “what you hear” from others, before you make any slanderous statements as you have done. There is no doubt that you are in the Meckley camp. You mention that Mr. Bodway taught ethics. If your comments are any indication on how your people treat fellow law enforcement officers, the Sheriff’s Office is doomed for failure. From your comments, it sounds to me like a good ethics training program would most certainly benefit you.
I worked with Sheriff Bane, ask him how many arrests he ever made? Ask him how many tickets he ever wrote? Ask him if he could make an on view arrest or even fill out a statement of charges? Hold a grudge, you better believe it! Lie, you better believe it! At least Meadows went out on the road once and a while. Bane was a disaster when he was Under Sheriff with Mele. His only accomplishment in his career was the Neighborhood Watch program. If the Deputies could speak freely, and they know they can not, you would know what he has done to this department in his four years. Ask him why he got rid of the best Forensic Deputy the department ever had? Because he has no idea how to secure and crime scene and keep it clean! A murder scene at that. This guy has taken the department back to the early seventies, he is a relic and needs to step aside. Ask him why the gangs are in Harford County? We had a problem in the early 1990s and we took care of the problem because we had leaders who hit the problem head on. Holding a candle and shedding a tear for a murdered victim does not seem to have much of an affect on the gangs, but it makes for good press when that is all you know how to do. Want a sign for your yard. STEVE BODWAY FOR SHERIFF. LOOK HIM UP.
Another thing. You may be good friends with Sheriff Bane, but working for him is a lot different. Meadows had an ego and a swelled head. But he supported his people and dealt punishment out fair and square. It makes me sick when I see people who have no idea what he is like as a Sheriff kissing the Community Organizer’s rear end. And yes he would make a great Community Organizer.
And one more thing. Check out Steve Wright who is running for County Excecutive.
Dear Blue, You state Steve Bodway has no ethics. Why did three Sheriffs allow him to still teach them if he had none? I worked with Steve Bodway, he is my friend. I can tell you he played no favorites when it came to his subordinates. I worked with Jack Meckley also. I was never impressed with him or his quick wit. Steve Bodway worked in many area of the department, I know for a fact he could make an on view arrest and do the processing, could Meckley or Bane. Jess Bane was behind a desk when I started there and was still behind a desk when I left. Hey lets do this, Bane Meckley and Bodway can put up their stats for their career and lets see where the rubber hits the road. Jack do Harford County a favor, retire and go back to Philly. When I heard you were running for Sheriff I almost fell off of my chair. Bodway arrogant, no not arrogant just very good at his job and that is not arrogance. Trust me I am still in contact with several of the people I worked with, more talk ill of the current administration then they do of Bodway. When I mention Jack, no one has a positive word to say about his leadership ability or chance to be a serious candidate.
I took some time this morning and browsed the other web sites for all candidates. Maybe you should to, Bodway’s resume is more impressive. I know Jeff Gahler, worked with him. Take a look his pictures and I see two people who are just chomping at the bit to get back into the Sheriff’s Office. With Gahler you get Harold Walter back AGAIN! Boy that is what they need.That was enough to make me not want to see him get elected, bad decision making. I can not wait to hear the debates, Jack your inexperience will show. Sheriff Bane, you have nothing to show for you 37 years but being a paper pusher. I worked beside Steve Bodway, and for Steve Bodway. If I had my choice of who was coming to back me up when the stuff hit the fan I wanted to hear ” 131 direct and en route”. Funny in my whole career I never once heard or saw Sheriff Bane show up on an incident as back up. Just as PIO. Everyone has something in their past, and I am sure that Meckley, and Bane will use anything to hide their resume that is lacking in substance. Get you facts straight just don’t spew what you hear from others. I to worked there for many years, I know Banes temper, and he holds a grudge. Will smile to your face as he is slowly doing you. Jack I just can not take you serious after working with you, this is a serious job, not just somewhere to wear your flashy suits and sport your cool hair cut. Give me a break, I am so glad I do not work there anymore and speak about things. Stay tuned I have more to bring out about the candidates.
I have had a face to face with Jack Meckley and worked with him. Your little click may respect you but that is far as it goes. Anyone with a good head on their shoulders knows you are not up to the challenge of running the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Bane has showed in the last four years he is not up to it either.
I was on a call with Steve Bodway one time in Edgewood. As the man was screaming and questioning our heritage, he told Steve that he was Ted Moyers neighbor. With out missing a step he told the man ” well I am Ted’s Deputy” When working with Steve as a subordinate Steve backed his guys. Even when you were wrong, you took your punishment and you went onto the next day. Maybe it is time the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office feel that they are Steve’s Deputy and he will take care of them. Working for Sheriff Bane I had the pleasure to see how he had our back. The citizen was always right. The Sheriff’s Office needs a leader who is not just a politician. They need a good cop who worked the job hard and has the vision to move the department in a positive direction with good ideas. So Harford County listen up, in Novemeber you want to hear 131 is 10-41 and en route. ( 131 was Steve’s ID number and 10-41 is beginning tour of duty )
Wow, things are still on here!
I know both Steve Boadway and Jack Meckly and both are two good solid choices for Sheriff. It will be a very difficult decision for me to choose between the two of them and honestly, I may not decied until I actually vote.
But there is one thing I will not do and that is to write untruthful and/or hurtful comments about either of them. Both are good solid men with integrity and they both want wants best for the Harford Sheriff’s Office. We should consider ourselves lucky to have two outstanding canidates to choose from in the primary.
Surprise, to compare Steve’s career to Jack’s is absurd. Just stating facts, Jack is NOT up for the task of being Sheriff. I worked with both of them. Jack does not have the education for the job, running a shift is a lot different then running the agency. Jack is a good guy, just not up to the task of being Sheriff. If you truly know both of them then you know who needs to be Sheriff. I worked for Moyer, Mele, Coomes, and Meadows. Steve is the better choice, I have seen is plans for this agency. It will again be the best in the State with Steve. I wish more of the deputies would show some back bone and openly support Steve. I seen what he did for the department as a Deputy, he can do much more as the Sheriff.
Surprise: I must agree with you regarding your comment about writing untruthful and/or hurtful comments about any candidate. Slanderous would be more fitting for the comments made by Blue in paragraph 59 that he made about Mr. Bodway.
RetiredCop came close, but I think it is his frustrations coming out from his from some of his personal experiences when he worked as a Sheriff’s Deputy.
All in all, it boils down to which candidate has the most experience with law enforcement, court and correctional and administrative duties that is required of a Sheriff. You need to look real hard at the two candidates you like, regardless of your friendship with one or the other. What if you voted for one of your friends, just because you are friends, and he turns out to be an incompetent leader? Would you kick yourself because you did not research the other candidate and make an informed decision?
I had the chance today to speak to a business owner in the upper end of Harford County. I have know this man for only four years and we have had many chats about politics. I gave him a brochure from the Bodway for Sheriff campaign. His first question to me what do you think about him? I took the next ten minutes to talk to him about Steve and the his 28 career at the Sheriff’s Office. I told how Steve did not just do the job for a paycheck and his extensive resume shows this. After this he asked me will he change the good old boy system that is now in place. It was good to be able to share with him Steve’s vision and his plans for all members of the Sheriff’s Office. I was surprised when he said to me ” well something has got to change down there with the way things are being run.” AS I am talking with people I am amazed at there questions they ask and there knowledge of how the department is being run. In some of my posts I guess I seem a little strong in my opinion of the current administration. This is because I loved my job, I loved being a Deputy Sheriff In Harford County. It makes me feel bad to see what is going on. I can remember starting and how close the deputies were. I slowly saw tradition being taken away. Something as simple as taken the American Flag off of our uniform shirts bothered me. (Under Meadows) Dale Zepp gave our academy class a pep rally talking to the day we graduated from the Academy. He told us we were the Deputies who were in charge of taking care of Harford County. Go out and take care of business. It was a good feeling to go out and catch the bad guys and serve the residence of Harford County. Back in those days you had support from the Administration. Our Sheriff was Ted Moyer and Joe Higgins ran the Patrol division. It was not long after I was on my own after riding with Field Training Officer when I responded to a serious domestic assault. To make a long story short I took on an intoxicated husband who had just destroyed his home and assaulted his wife. I took my lumps in that one but my training helped me as I fought to retain my firearm as the suspect tried to get it out of my holster during the fight. Myself and the suspect spent several hours in the hospital. My shirt was almost torn off of me and I was covered in blood, mine and his. The next morning as I walked by Capt Higgins office he called me in his office. I thought I was done because I had inflected my share of pain on the suspect trying to subdue him. Capt Higgins asked me if I was okay and if all that blood on my uniform was mine. I said Yes sir I am fine just sore and not all of it was mine. Capt Higgins told me Good Job. I walked about ten feet off the ground with just those few words. It made me go on for my career and do my job because I made a difference. When I retired I saw the other end of this, and from what I hear from my brother and sisters who are still there this is not the case. In my career I had Steve as a supervisor and I heard many times “good job”. When a supervisor makes a point to tell a deputy this it gives his morale a boost and makes them want to go out and get the job done. Harford County you can not take four more years of a leader who does not lead by example. You can not take four more years of your Sheriff’s Office where the morale is going down hill. Give your Sheriff’s Office the leader who has a vision for the future and will lead by example. Steve’s game plan is taking the department forward not backward. The debates are set for June I think. Find out for sure and pack the place and listen to what the candidates have to say. Listen for substance and not just political talking points. Get involved and learn about them. I will tell you Steve will stand out as a true leader putting the citizens and the people of the Sheriff’s Office first.
RetiredCop: WOW! It certainly sounds like you know what you are talking about by presenting a few of your life experiences as a Deputy Sheriff! I hold law enforcement officers in the highest esteem, right up there with our current U.S. Military and our Veterans! I must also agree with you 100% that Steve Bodway is THE most qualified man to be the next Sheriff of Harford County. I just hope it comes to fruition, not just for the sake of the Deputies and Correctional Officers, but mainly for the citizens of Harford County.
From what I have seen and heard, the incumbent Sheriff is a nice guy and he socializes well with with the citizens, but he just doesn’t have the ability to manage people without intimidation and fear tactics. That, in itself, is very detrimental to the citizens. He has the citizens duped into believing that he is the answer to all of their problems. He would probably make a fantastic social worker, but I don’t think he’s truly qualified to be the Sheriff. I sure would not work for him.