If I'm not mistaken, both candidates are Republicans which means both are eligible to access the Republican voter base, speak at the Federated Women's group functions, be interviewed and considered for funding and endorsement, etc. The problem with accepting particular endorsements means that other people or groups maybe alienated so it is possible that not all the endorsements will be carried or advertised.

Dennis Carpenter is the clear choice here. Go Dennis!!!

Dennis is a nice guy, but hasn't had an original thought in years. If you want more of the same, elected Carpenter. If you want change for the better, elect Dean.

They both know where all the bodies are buried. That's the important thing. We don't need somebody getting in there and being all Andy Taylor and causing trouble.

If I had to pick between the two I would pick Mr. Carpentar. He has more leadership experience than Geoff Dean. This is no time to try out a new sheriff.

Hey Moondoggie, how do you know that Carpenter "hasn't had an original thought in years"? You can't make unsubstantiated claims like that. Give us some substance or examples.

Or are you just a Dean crony, disguising your identity, and blanketing every article with anti-Carpenter statements?

Look, Carpenter has made some awesome contributions to the county and the VCSD. In recent years he was a major contributor to restructuring efforts, that is actually saving money now. That's one example, one more than Moondoggie has offered.

Man of Character:

Let me start off by saying that as of yet, I don't have a favorite dog in this political hunt..

Nonetheless, I fully agree with your cyber-chastisement of Moondoogie regarding his, "he hasn't had an original thought in years," comment.

It seems like he's making a fundamental mistake that no first-year law student would make without consequence. That is, “admitting facts not yet in evidence.."

Far too often, on this blog, and many others, many choose to go for the personal throat maliciously, instead of the political hide, metaphorically...

But then again, for many, they reflexively seem to prefer the attraction of political demonology, since it spares them the torture of thought.

Regarding the upcoming Sherriff’s race, the operative question is: which candidate will articulate a more convincing message to the voters regarding how they will do more for less. By that I mean, what is their vision on how they will lead the Department, organize resources, and reprogram declining fiscal revenue streams to combat what is likely to be an upsurge in crime in the county triggered by the recession?

Past DA's, Sheriff's and the VCSDA joined forces to get thousands of local voter signatures on a petition to guarantee two-levels of public funding resulting from the Prop 172 Sales-Tax proposition, which was passed by those very same voters.

First, was a dedicated portion of the State Sales Tax. And second, was an increasing portion of the County's General Fund from the 1% Property Tax, as back-fill, to cover increases in the Department’s base-costs, including Prop 172 Sales Tax revenue growth, without a cap.

Well, a couple of years back, in an effort to settle a big lawsuit, the DA, Sheriff and the BofS agreed to "cap" the General Fund back-fill take. And now, given the severe recession, people ain't buying. So Sales Tax revenues are declining precipitously.

Statewide, the State Controller reports that Sales Tax revenues declined by 12%, or nearly $3 Billion in California during the most recent twelve-month period (i.e. May 2008 to 2009)(See URL for State Controller's June Summary Report).

I don't know what the Sales Tax revenue reduction percentage figure was in Ventura County during that same period, but it was likely to have a comparable percentage decline as the State’s figure.

Finally, since most if not all local politicians, be they Democratic, Republican and DTS, shy away from both the fiscal and political consequences of even talking about reductions in public safety funding, let alone doing it, because they perceive it as the "third-rail" of local politics, we need thoughtful, fiscally responsible and responsive leadership from the next Sheriff.

So my first question out of the box to both Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Dean is, "How are you going to address the short-fall in Proposition 172 Sales Tax Revenue and the commensurate “double-whammy” effect of a lost in County General Fund “back-fill” revenue support for the Department with what will likely be an appreciable rise in local crimes in Ventura County as the recession drags-on for the next three years or more?

I don’t know about anybody else, but as a citizen, voter and taxpayer, I’d much rather see the candidates for Sheriff, and their cyber-supporters, debate issues of substance like this, rather than demean and demonize each other with cheap cyber-shots..

NostraDemus

Yeah, Moondoggie, I think you've been wave-walking too long. Get with the program and clear that saltwater from between your ears.

The race for Sheriff is already very interesting and the actual election is almost a year away. My big concern is that all community members are protected equally - regardless of religious beliefs. I am not convinced this has happened within the department - which is a microcosm of the community at large. I look foward to hearing more from both candidates.

I went to both candidates press conferences to hear them speak for myself. If I had to make a choice today it would be Dean. I do look forward to listening to both of them address the issues and talk about the vision for the future. I do disagree with the post that said we don't need to break in a new sheriff. Both of these men have executive level experience in the department. From all of the people who seem to be on the inside it would have been a different story if a candidate from outside the department was running.

The battle for Ventura County's next white sheriff is up and running.....

They all talk the diversity talk....but all the white powers that be in the county were quick to line behind a white candidate...without waiting to see who else may enter the race....

The next sheriff should be a peoples' candidate of diverse background from outside the sheriff's department....

The sheriff should be a young civilian of color....not another old white guy

p.s is Dennis carpenter related to retired sheriff larry carpenter?

I confused Larry Carpenter with Dennis Carpenter. I bet more than half the people that vote for Dennis Carpenter will think they are voting for Larry Carpenter. I don't even know who Dennis Carpenter is. If I was Geoff Dean I would try and get Larry Carpenter's endorsement to clear things up.

Larry Carpenter is NOT related to Dennis Carpenter.

I just hope the fbi and state investigation on public corruption and organized crime in ventura (including the sheriff's dept and the district attorney's office) is finished before election day. It's been 28 months so far.

I'm fairly new to the area, know little about the candidates and haven't made up my mind on which candidate would best benefit the community as our next top Sheriff. I look forward to each candidate sharing more information about their views as well as their vision.

I did have an opportunity to speak briefly with Geoff Dean on an informal basis and am impressed with his professional yet friendly demeanor, his accessibility and his ability to clearly articulate his thoughts (he didn't waffle) on issues. I had previously directed some critical comments at him and was pleased to find that G. Dean was approachable, open-minded and seemed to have a good sense of humor. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised!

it will be interesting to learn more about the candidates as the campaigns progress.

RE:I just hope the fbi and state investigation on public corruption and organized crime in ventura

What are they investigating...it is a given that government IS organized crime...they steal the same taxes over and over year after year....and what do we get for it....?

Geoff Dean is a wonderful guy and will be a great sheriff for Ventura County. He has the vote of every person in my family (3 Republicans and 1 DTS). Bob Brooks did a great disservice to Ventura County voters when he illegally fired Geoff because he dared to expect that voters may want an actual election for Sheriff. He has now been reinstated and is grateful for everyone's support and vote of confidence.

Vote for Geoff Dean! It will be the beginning of true accountability in office.