THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NEWS SITE FOR CURRENT AND RETIRED CORRECTIONS OFFICERS! This blog will keep up on current events affecting Detention Deputies and Corrections Officers. SINCE 2006!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Support the Hoffa Slate!
When you get your ballot, vote for the Hoffa Slate!
The Hoffa leadership has been good for our bargaining unit. They have been supportive of public employees and the Leadham Slate is not.
Through the Teamsters, we as correctional officers in the Hennepin County Jail have gained:
1. Paid Holidays. Prior to becoming Teamsters in 1999 we not only got straight time for working a holiday, we actually had to pay the employer "payback" hours every year, in other words we worked about 48 hours a year of "free" overtime.
2. The 55 Retirement. This bill was introduced and lobbied by the Teamsters that gave us our own correctional retirement at 55 rather then the PERA 67!
3. The Bloodborne Pathogens Bill. As of July 1st, 2006, an inmate exposing you to blood and body fluids must give a blood sample so you can know if you've been exposed to an infectious disease.
4. They pay lobbyist to pass legislation favorable to increasing our pension and to our profession.
5. They provide Team Legal to protect you from civil and criminal prosecution arising from our profession.
6. National Security. The Teamsters were early to protest the Dubai Port sale and regularly lobby against Mexican trucks entering U.S. soil with poor safety standards and sub par inspections.
7. They are against the outsourcing of U.S. jobs and are against NAFTA.
8. They lobby in Washington to protect workers pensions.
The list goes on and on. This is Hoffa's legacy. I know many people ignore union ballots, but take a minute to educate yourself. Whoever heads the Teamsters affects our locals and our strength. Lets vote Hoffa and keep a good thing going.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Pat Denman's Response
HCSDA President Pat has responsed to my post on September 17th. As promised it is published unedited. Go to the comments section of the posting on the September 17th posting.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
What is this blog?
I've been getting calls at home, emails, stopped in the halls at work, mostly over the last posting on this blog. Take a deep breath and let me clear the air. A blog is an online public forum. It is not an impersonal web page or editorial page that tells you what to think. This is an interactive forum. You have the opportunity to respond, bitch, agree with the post, tell me I'm an asshole, whatever. You don't have to hide in the shadows, or call people you think can control my posts. If you simply click on the comment button your comment will be posted unedited. This blog is not part of our website, this blog is in no way affiliated with Teamsters Local 320 or the IBT. This is the era of text messages, websites, and blogs. Join the 21st century. This is not a newspaper. Got something to say? Join in!
I will not remove the previous post for the following reasons:
1. I stand by every word.
2. The gauntlet was thrown down to Mr. Denman to respond, which at the time of this posting he has not. This being an internet forum, that post has already been emailed around and saved by others and would not simply disappear from the internet, it would only deprive Mr. Denman and anyone else the opportunity to respond, which wouldn't be fair.
3. In the spirit of fairness anytime I mention either candidate in the Hennepin County Sheriff's race I will add a link to their websites. It should be noted that on the Detention Home webpage there is a link to contribute to both Juan Lopez and Rich Stanek's campaigns.
Another point (which I'm really getting tired of explaining), our bargaining unit is not endorsing either candidate. Our members are diverse, and there is no one unified opinion. I am a union steward and do not have the power or authority to endorse, either from the members of my bargaining unit, or the Teamsters. I run the website and this blog as a service to our members and to keep them informed of things that may affect our profession, and hopefully to elicit response.
That being said, the tenor of the previous posts was in direct reaction to what I perceive is a bias in the reporting of the local newspapers and television media and an outright lie by another bargaining group. Blogs are a format to balance that out, that thing commonly referred to as free speech or freedom of the press. I will publish unedited any posts that either candidate in the Hennepin County Sheriff's race send to me. Simply email me using the link on this blog site.
In conclusion. I hope this clears up any misconceptions certain people have been entertaining. I will not publish my opinions on letterheads that pretend to speak as the unified voice of our members. This is my voice, and this is my blog that has replaced the editorial page on our website. This is an improvement because anyone is free to comment on it.
Finally, I invite both candidates to email me and tell me why they are the best candidate for sheriff and I will post it on this site for our members to read unedited.
Click here email me at this contact page.
I will not remove the previous post for the following reasons:
1. I stand by every word.
2. The gauntlet was thrown down to Mr. Denman to respond, which at the time of this posting he has not. This being an internet forum, that post has already been emailed around and saved by others and would not simply disappear from the internet, it would only deprive Mr. Denman and anyone else the opportunity to respond, which wouldn't be fair.
3. In the spirit of fairness anytime I mention either candidate in the Hennepin County Sheriff's race I will add a link to their websites. It should be noted that on the Detention Home webpage there is a link to contribute to both Juan Lopez and Rich Stanek's campaigns.
Another point (which I'm really getting tired of explaining), our bargaining unit is not endorsing either candidate. Our members are diverse, and there is no one unified opinion. I am a union steward and do not have the power or authority to endorse, either from the members of my bargaining unit, or the Teamsters. I run the website and this blog as a service to our members and to keep them informed of things that may affect our profession, and hopefully to elicit response.
That being said, the tenor of the previous posts was in direct reaction to what I perceive is a bias in the reporting of the local newspapers and television media and an outright lie by another bargaining group. Blogs are a format to balance that out, that thing commonly referred to as free speech or freedom of the press. I will publish unedited any posts that either candidate in the Hennepin County Sheriff's race send to me. Simply email me using the link on this blog site.
In conclusion. I hope this clears up any misconceptions certain people have been entertaining. I will not publish my opinions on letterheads that pretend to speak as the unified voice of our members. This is my voice, and this is my blog that has replaced the editorial page on our website. This is an improvement because anyone is free to comment on it.
Finally, I invite both candidates to email me and tell me why they are the best candidate for sheriff and I will post it on this site for our members to read unedited.
Click here email me at this contact page.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
HCSDA wages a campaign of lies!
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputies Association (HCSDA) has stooped to a level unworthy of those in their profession. While it is within their right to endorse a candidate for sheriff they should not engage in the spread of outright lies against the other candidate.
On September 13th 2006 the HCSDA published a letter stating they "took a vote of no confidence" in Stanek's opponent Juan Lopez. Once again I reiterate that Teamsters Local 320 has not endorsed any candidate for the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, but I will not sit idly by while a friend, former co-worker in the Sheriff's Office of 10 years, and a Teamster is being attacked with lies.
Mr. Denman is the President of the HCSDA and I have a few questions for him I'll pose openly. If he chooses to respond in writing, I will publish those responses here.
Question 1: Your letter states a vote of no confidence was taken. Did that vote pass? What were the numbers? I heard it did not pass which is why your letter only states a vote was taken.
Question 2: Why does your letter lie and state that Juan Lopez is "not a cop and not currently licensed by the Minnesota Peace Officers Standard & Training Board," when he is? Juan Lopez's Post Board number is 16298 and expires 6/30/2008.
Question 3: Your letter states , "Despite Mr. Lopez's claim that he has significant experience in the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office..." This statement is a smear designed to call into question the fact that Juan Lopez has 10 years of experience in the Sheriff's Office while your endorsed candidate has none.
A further point to be made is the laughable quote from Mr. Denman's letter which states, "Has he ever answered a 911 call or walked down an alley as a peace officer...He is simply not qualified to lead the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office."
First of all the Minnesota constitution states the duties of the Sheriff are to keep the jail and patrol the waterways. Juan Lopez has 10 years experience in the jail. Mr. Stanek has none. Walking a beat is not constitutionally Sheriff's work, running the jail is. Patrolling the streets is covered by the many excellent police departments in the cities of Hennepin County. Furthermore most of the licensed sheriff's deputies in Mr. Denman's association will never walk down an alley as a peace officer or answer a 911 call because the majority of them basically work a 9-5 Monday through Friday schedule standing in court as bailiffs, most not even carrying a gun in that capacity, it's a position that doesn't even require a peace officers license in most states. It is the Teamster Detention Deputies that mainly staff and run the jail 24 hours a day, protecting the public 365 days a year of which Mr. Lopez was one. We have higher rates of assault on us and injuries then the licensed peace officers Mr. Denman represents. So this crap of answering 911 calls and images of walking down alleys is something most of them will never do in the course of their duties as sheriff's deputies. Juan Lopez has more experience in the duties of the Sheriff's Office then current Sheriff McGowan had when he took office 12 years ago.
Mr. Denman is assisting a campaign that has been engaging in questionable campaign practices and this "No Confidence" letter seems to be a continuation of those practices. The Stanek campaign has posted signs in illegal places (see pictures in the previous entries) and has even stated on their website that, "This is only the second time in forty (40) years Hennepin County residents have had an opportunity to elect a new sheriff." Not true. When Sheriff Omodt retired, Sheriff McGowan ran against Chief Deputy Laberge and then four years ago Juan Lopez ran against McGowan and received 102,000 votes! Stanek's campaign is trying to pretend this didn't happen. Fact: This is the third time the voters have had a chance to elect a new Sheriff.
I'll end this by saying the Teamsters have endorsed no one in this sheriff's race. I am attempting to keep this site neutral but will publish things that are newsworthy and facts if forwarded to me by our members. This is not an official Teamsters site and I will not remain silent when I see lies being perpetrated in this campaign. Members having facts about either candidate are free to post on this site.
Mr. Denman I welcome your comments in writing and will post them here.
On September 13th 2006 the HCSDA published a letter stating they "took a vote of no confidence" in Stanek's opponent Juan Lopez. Once again I reiterate that Teamsters Local 320 has not endorsed any candidate for the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, but I will not sit idly by while a friend, former co-worker in the Sheriff's Office of 10 years, and a Teamster is being attacked with lies.
Mr. Denman is the President of the HCSDA and I have a few questions for him I'll pose openly. If he chooses to respond in writing, I will publish those responses here.
Question 1: Your letter states a vote of no confidence was taken. Did that vote pass? What were the numbers? I heard it did not pass which is why your letter only states a vote was taken.
Question 2: Why does your letter lie and state that Juan Lopez is "not a cop and not currently licensed by the Minnesota Peace Officers Standard & Training Board," when he is? Juan Lopez's Post Board number is 16298 and expires 6/30/2008.
Question 3: Your letter states , "Despite Mr. Lopez's claim that he has significant experience in the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office..." This statement is a smear designed to call into question the fact that Juan Lopez has 10 years of experience in the Sheriff's Office while your endorsed candidate has none.
A further point to be made is the laughable quote from Mr. Denman's letter which states, "Has he ever answered a 911 call or walked down an alley as a peace officer...He is simply not qualified to lead the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office."
First of all the Minnesota constitution states the duties of the Sheriff are to keep the jail and patrol the waterways. Juan Lopez has 10 years experience in the jail. Mr. Stanek has none. Walking a beat is not constitutionally Sheriff's work, running the jail is. Patrolling the streets is covered by the many excellent police departments in the cities of Hennepin County. Furthermore most of the licensed sheriff's deputies in Mr. Denman's association will never walk down an alley as a peace officer or answer a 911 call because the majority of them basically work a 9-5 Monday through Friday schedule standing in court as bailiffs, most not even carrying a gun in that capacity, it's a position that doesn't even require a peace officers license in most states. It is the Teamster Detention Deputies that mainly staff and run the jail 24 hours a day, protecting the public 365 days a year of which Mr. Lopez was one. We have higher rates of assault on us and injuries then the licensed peace officers Mr. Denman represents. So this crap of answering 911 calls and images of walking down alleys is something most of them will never do in the course of their duties as sheriff's deputies. Juan Lopez has more experience in the duties of the Sheriff's Office then current Sheriff McGowan had when he took office 12 years ago.
Mr. Denman is assisting a campaign that has been engaging in questionable campaign practices and this "No Confidence" letter seems to be a continuation of those practices. The Stanek campaign has posted signs in illegal places (see pictures in the previous entries) and has even stated on their website that, "This is only the second time in forty (40) years Hennepin County residents have had an opportunity to elect a new sheriff." Not true. When Sheriff Omodt retired, Sheriff McGowan ran against Chief Deputy Laberge and then four years ago Juan Lopez ran against McGowan and received 102,000 votes! Stanek's campaign is trying to pretend this didn't happen. Fact: This is the third time the voters have had a chance to elect a new Sheriff.
I'll end this by saying the Teamsters have endorsed no one in this sheriff's race. I am attempting to keep this site neutral but will publish things that are newsworthy and facts if forwarded to me by our members. This is not an official Teamsters site and I will not remain silent when I see lies being perpetrated in this campaign. Members having facts about either candidate are free to post on this site.
Mr. Denman I welcome your comments in writing and will post them here.
Sign placed at polling place!
Within 100 feet of a polling place. On a boulevard. On church property. How many laws does this violate?? Did I mention this picture was taken the day of the Primary Elections?
Stanek Sign at abandoned house
This sign was placed on the lawn of an abandonned house at 6205 Morgan, a house owned by MNDOT and a campaign violation. It was ordered removed.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Primary Results Hennepin County Sheriff's Race
The results of the Sept. 12th Primary have narrowed the field down to Juan Lopez and Rich Stanek.
Here's the Primary Results:
Rich Stanek 41,914 votes
Juan Lopez 23, 479
Linda Lachner 13,560
Bruce Anderson 8,593
Tom Fitzhenry 6,770
Daniel Rusch 2,747
This means Juan Lopez (DFL) and Rich Stanek (Rep) move on to the November Ballot.
Here's the Primary Results:
Rich Stanek 41,914 votes
Juan Lopez 23, 479
Linda Lachner 13,560
Bruce Anderson 8,593
Tom Fitzhenry 6,770
Daniel Rusch 2,747
This means Juan Lopez (DFL) and Rich Stanek (Rep) move on to the November Ballot.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Hard to remain neutral...
I have been trying my damnedest to remain neutral in the Hennepin County Sheriff's race on this site, but the Star Tribune's constant singing the praises of Rich Stanek as if he's the only qualified candidate is trying my patience. They are quick to point out that he " ...has been with the Minneapolis Police Department for 23 years, was a legislator and Minnesota's Public Safety Commissioner..." but are silent about the fact he lost his job as the Public Safety Commissioner and is a captain in a police department that "redlines" (doesn't even investigate) many of the violent crimes commited in Minneapolis.
I'd like to level the playing field and list some of the other candidates who have websites:
Juan Lopez: The Star Tribune lists him as, "Hennepin County juvenile probation division law enforcer Juan B. Lopez..." and goes on to say, "Lopez has received endorsements, including the DFL Party, United Auto Workers and the Ecuadoran Civic Committee..." What they don't mention is that he is a licensed peace officer that has 10 years of experiance with the Hennepin County Sheriff's office both in the Hennepin County Jail and as a recruiter! He's the only candidate who has experiance in the very Sheriff's office he is running to lead. Possibly making him the most qualified candidate for sheriff. They are also silent about the fact that the last time he ran against the then incumbant Pat McGowan, Juan Lopez received 102,000 votes!! He's also a veteran.
Tom Fitzhenry: He's a sergeant in the Richfield Police daprtment and an excerpt from his website gives more insight into yet another candidate marginalized by the Strib. "He was hired by the Richfield Police Department as a Police Officer in 1978. While there he finished a BS degree in Law Enforcement at Mankato State College. He attended graduate school classes at St Thomas College. During his employment at Richfield he worked in many areas to include investigator, crime prevention specialist, emergency management, police reserve coordinator, police explorer advisor and currently as a sergeant in the patrol division."
Bruce L. Anderson: Also running is Orno police officer Anderson. His site lists his experience:
Law Enforcement Degree, Alexandria Technical College 1977
30 years Law Enforcement Experience
28 years with Orono Police Dept.
Current Secretary/Treasurer Fraternal Order of Police Minnesota State Lodge
10 years part time Deputy U.S. Marshal
Past President Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #6 (3 years)
Board of Director's International Association Accident Reconstruction Specialists
20 years experience negotiating labor contracts, labor dispute resolutions'
Past President Hennepin County MADD (3 years)
This candidate doesn't deserve to be marginalized either.
There are two other candidates: Daniel Rusch and Linda Lachner who do not have websites listed that I can find.
On Tuesday the Primary election will narrow this field of 6 down to 2. Do your homework and be sure to vote if you live in Hennepin County and care about this race.
Who will I be voting for? I live in Anoka county and will be voting for Bruce Andersohn for Anoka County Sheriff. I'll leave it to the good people of Hennepin County to choose their Sheriff and our next boss.
I'd like to level the playing field and list some of the other candidates who have websites:
Juan Lopez: The Star Tribune lists him as, "Hennepin County juvenile probation division law enforcer Juan B. Lopez..." and goes on to say, "Lopez has received endorsements, including the DFL Party, United Auto Workers and the Ecuadoran Civic Committee..." What they don't mention is that he is a licensed peace officer that has 10 years of experiance with the Hennepin County Sheriff's office both in the Hennepin County Jail and as a recruiter! He's the only candidate who has experiance in the very Sheriff's office he is running to lead. Possibly making him the most qualified candidate for sheriff. They are also silent about the fact that the last time he ran against the then incumbant Pat McGowan, Juan Lopez received 102,000 votes!! He's also a veteran.
Tom Fitzhenry: He's a sergeant in the Richfield Police daprtment and an excerpt from his website gives more insight into yet another candidate marginalized by the Strib. "He was hired by the Richfield Police Department as a Police Officer in 1978. While there he finished a BS degree in Law Enforcement at Mankato State College. He attended graduate school classes at St Thomas College. During his employment at Richfield he worked in many areas to include investigator, crime prevention specialist, emergency management, police reserve coordinator, police explorer advisor and currently as a sergeant in the patrol division."
Bruce L. Anderson: Also running is Orno police officer Anderson. His site lists his experience:
Law Enforcement Degree, Alexandria Technical College 1977
30 years Law Enforcement Experience
28 years with Orono Police Dept.
Current Secretary/Treasurer Fraternal Order of Police Minnesota State Lodge
10 years part time Deputy U.S. Marshal
Past President Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #6 (3 years)
Board of Director's International Association Accident Reconstruction Specialists
20 years experience negotiating labor contracts, labor dispute resolutions'
Past President Hennepin County MADD (3 years)
This candidate doesn't deserve to be marginalized either.
There are two other candidates: Daniel Rusch and Linda Lachner who do not have websites listed that I can find.
On Tuesday the Primary election will narrow this field of 6 down to 2. Do your homework and be sure to vote if you live in Hennepin County and care about this race.
Who will I be voting for? I live in Anoka county and will be voting for Bruce Andersohn for Anoka County Sheriff. I'll leave it to the good people of Hennepin County to choose their Sheriff and our next boss.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Vote the Primary Elections on September 12th
This Tuesday September 12th are the Primary Elections. These are very important as they determine who will be on the General Election ballot in November. Anyone who still has a bitter taste in their mouth from the Public Employee wage freeze a couple of years ago should remember not to vote for Pawlenty. These elections affect our profession, compensation packages, and retirements. A good place to check for who is pro-union and pro-public employee is the Teamster DRIVE endorsement list. This is generally a good guideline and these people who support us deserve our support this Tuesday. These are the people who supported our retirement, passed the blood borne pathogens bill, and we will need to support our Licensed Correctional Officer legislation in the next year.
My two exceptions to the DRIVE list are:
Keith Ellison- He was a friend of gang bangers during the Haff shooting days, has worked against our detention deputies, and was a member of the anti-white Nation of Islam. Go to the Primary and vote for anyone else.
Amy Klobuchar- Under her watch as Hennepin County Attorney it has been very hard to get inmates charged with 4th Degree assault after they have thrown feces, urine and other bodily fluids on detention deputies. Even in the rare event they do get charged the charges are often allowed to be plead away by her office. Even rarer when the felony charge does "stick" the inmate only gets 90 days!
Vote against Ellison and Klobuchar!
Please support Sheriff Fletcher if you live in Ramsey County. He has repeatedly gone to bat for our members making our Ramsey County Detention Deputies the highest paid in the state!
Whatever your political leanings exercise your right to VOTE!
My two exceptions to the DRIVE list are:
Keith Ellison- He was a friend of gang bangers during the Haff shooting days, has worked against our detention deputies, and was a member of the anti-white Nation of Islam. Go to the Primary and vote for anyone else.
Amy Klobuchar- Under her watch as Hennepin County Attorney it has been very hard to get inmates charged with 4th Degree assault after they have thrown feces, urine and other bodily fluids on detention deputies. Even in the rare event they do get charged the charges are often allowed to be plead away by her office. Even rarer when the felony charge does "stick" the inmate only gets 90 days!
Vote against Ellison and Klobuchar!
Please support Sheriff Fletcher if you live in Ramsey County. He has repeatedly gone to bat for our members making our Ramsey County Detention Deputies the highest paid in the state!
Whatever your political leanings exercise your right to VOTE!