The citizens of Kootenai County have a unique opportunity to effect much needed change in the leadership of the Kootenai County Sheriff's department. Current Sheriff Rocky Watson has decided not to run for re-election and a number of candidates are seeking our vote. I believe we must evaluate very closely what these candidates are saying. We must look beyond any individual name recognition or previous experience and vote for the candidate that will make the changes in this agency that the jail deputies, patrol deputies and this community deserve.

Throughout this current campaign candidates across the board have superficially discussed deputy retention and training, jail operations, salaries and of course the budget. When the budget is discussed some candidates continue to blame the county commissioners for a lack of funding. For these candidates a real dose of reality is necessary. I am so tired of the commissioners being blamed for the lack of funding when in fact the $20 million-plus Sheriff's budget is presently mismanaged.We would all like to have more money to spend each year, but we adjust our spending and allocate our income to best serve our family's needs. This is something very few of the candidates are talking about. In fact one candidate has indicated that if elected he would address the administration pay matrix before the deputy's pay issues. In essence he is saying that he and seven other administrators would be sharing approximately $52,200 in additional income.

I have read a number of letters to the editor indicating that one of the candidates has over 20 years experience in the sheriff's department and his election would make for a smooth transition. I believe a smooth transition is not what is needed in this agency. How many changes will be made by electing someone who has been part of this broken system for so many years? The many years of experience and specifically the many years of perpetuating a system that has resulted in a top heavy administration with way too many chiefs and not enough Indians, is precisely the reason why we should not vote for the "years of experience and smooth transition."

My biggest fear in this election is that too many voters are going to vote for name recognition without really looking at the issues and any particular candidate's stated improvement plans for the Sheriff's department. We deserve better! These candidates have had over a year to develop a comprehensive plan for change and the ultimate improvement of the agency's fiscal condition, workforce morale, and services provided to this community.Candidates in general are missing a tremendous opportunity to separate themselves from the pack by not discussing specific possible solutions such as a re-allocation or restructuring of the budget, jail policies, prisoner classification, deputy promotions and pay adjustments and a complete restructure of the administration.

My biggest disappointment is that no candidate has presented a comprehensive plan and we as a voting community are allowing this to happen. Are we all so complacent about one of the most powerful elected positions in the community? I hope we are not, but if indeed we are I guess we deserve a "smooth transition" and an agency with so many internal problems that will no doubt continue to perpetuate the same realities we have in place today (at least for the next four years).

Ed Santos is owner/founder of Center Target Sports, Inc., in Post Falls.