By Emerson Drake
8/3/11
Tuesday 8/3/11 at their regular meeting the Board of Supervisors responded to the Civil Grand Jury report which stated:
Civil G r a n d J u r v 2010-11 Case # l l - 1 0 C - Stanislaus Countv Sheriff The Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury finds the following: Finding 1: The Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury finds the Stanislaus County Sheriff violated Government Code section 3206.
Background
Sheriff Adam Christianson was involved in a series of staged public debates with his opponent Rob Jackson where questions were asked of both participants and their responses were expected to effect the votes of those listening.
During at least two of these debates Sheriff Christianson wore his uniform in direct violation of the laws he had sworn to enforce. In one debate staged and VIDEO TAPED at the Bee for future public viewing he again wore his uniform.
The Board of Supervisors made this official response to the Grand Jury findings:
Neither agrees or disagrees. The Board of Supervisors is not knowledgeable
about the events that supports the Grand Jury's finding and, therefore can neither agree,
nor disagree with the findings. The Board of Supervisors acknowledges that these types
of meetings could be viewed as political activities. On the other hand, many actions of an
elected Sheriff can be viewed as a political activity and Section 3206 does not define or
clarify what is or is not a political activity. A clear line identifying what is a prohibited
political activity could and should be defined by the State Legislature to ensure
compliance with the law.
The Board of Supervisors in not knowledgeable of these events?
The Supervisors had more than two months to respond to the report yet they still couldn't figure out if two candidates running for the same elected position, answering relevant questions regarding the Sheriff's position and his duties is political activity? In one instance, the candidates were in front of a hall full of union voters which were trying to decide who to endorse for Sheriff. In the second, both candidates sat down with the Bee Editorial Board which was trying to decide who to endorse, and was recording the event for future viewing by members of the public who couldn't attend.
The Board of Supervisors couldn't decide if this was political activity?
The Civil Grand Jury could tell the difference but a board of elected officials can't?
How ludicrous does that sound?
