News

Sniff's Sign Language

April 22nd, 2010

Grover Trask, the handsome ex-DA, knows exactly how many times he was elected. Six, he corrected me this week when I shorted him by two.Rod Pacheco, the cuddly DA, is such a political organism that he knows exactly how many times everyone (every "gadfly") has been elected and their respective margins of victory. Then there's RivCo Sheriff Stan Sniff, whose 2010 campaign signs say, "Re-Elect" Stan Sniff. You might be thinking, "Hmm. When was the sheriff elected sheriff?"

We have to go all the way back to 2007 to relive that magical moment: Bob Doyle up and quit and the Board O' Supes replaced him with Stan Sniff. Technically, Sniff was elected sheriff by a 3-2 vote with all eligible voters (5 supervisors) casting ballots. Does this squeaker justify 2010 campaign signs that say "Re-Elect" Stan Sniff?

Not even Sheriff Sniff dredged up that rationale. Here's what he did say, in an e-mail: His "professional consultants" and "campaign team" argued "behind the scenes" about the "pros and cons of using 're-elect.'" And? "Consensus was that I am the incumbent, and if I've been successful, the electorate will re-elect me back to the office I now hold."

So, even though the "electorate" never elected him, he's hoping the electorate will "re-elect" him in June?

Sniff said he uses "elect" and "retain" along with "re-elect," but none work "perfectly well" with supporters and volunteers. How about "keep," "return," "recycle"?

"Ultimately," said Sniff, "legal guidance was that it (using re-elect) was a 1st Amendment issue." Yes. The constitutional right to dupe the voters. Frank Robles, who's running against Sniff, calls the sheriff's explanation

"classic double speak. It's an integrity issue." Robles, who has never been elected sheriff, either, worked for the department for 17 years. What does he think about Sniff's "re-elect" signs?

"The way I look at it, for the chief law enforcement officer of the county to be deceptive and misleading about something as trivial as a sign ... where does it end?"

Robles was just warming up. "I used to tell cops, you're only going to lose two things in life: your virginity and your credibility. The first one you want to lose, the second one you never want to lose." Oooooeeeeeee!

Robles said Sniff had "re-elect" on his website until "we called him on that" and he took it down. "Now, it's come back (in the form of signs) with a vengeance."

Sniff says that's "flat-out false. I've never had a website until recently and it's not even officially up." Touting his "outstanding record," Sniff says the re-elect matter "may well be a moot point after June 8. Voters are very smart. Robles: "He's right. Voters aren't stupid."

Riverside County Sheriff Sniff to face challenge in 2010 election

June 17, 2009

By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise

A retired chief deputy sheriff announced Wednesday that he will challenge Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff in next year's election.

Frank Robles, a 35-year law enforcement veteran, made the announcement in a full-page newspaper advertisement. Robles most recently served as a Riverside County chief deputy sheriff before retiring in December 2007, and he is also a former Desert Hot Springs police chief.

"Riverside County's mix of large dynamic cities and small desert towns offers unique opportunities and distinct challenges for law enforcement," Robles wrote in the advertisement that appeared in The Press-Enterprise.

"To face these challenges, our Sheriff's Department demands independent leadership, rock-solid integrity and a leader who knows how to get the most out of limited taxpayer dollars."

Robles, 64, will face a well-funded incumbent. Sniff, who is facing election for the first time, already has amassed a six-figure political war chest.

Sniff was appointed by the Board of Supervisors in September 2007 by a 3-2 vote after former Sheriff Bob Doyle abruptly announced his retirement. Sniff had been fired by Doyle.

Sniff said he is proud of his tenure as sheriff and the changes he has put in place.

"I look forward to the public debate," Sniff said.

In a telephone interview, Robles said his announcement, nearly a year in advance, will give him time to raise enough money to effectively compete. In his advertisement, Robles cited Doyle's endorsement.

"For the first time I can recall, we have an appointed sheriff," Robles said. "He doesn't have a clear mandate."

Robles said the county's ongoing fiscal woes will be the key issue facing the department for the next few years. He said there is room to make cuts that do not affect public safety.

He cited the need to trim the sheriff's administration, including at least temporarily eliminating some of the four assistant sheriff positions.

"Just from what I have seen so far, I am not impressed with how the present administration is handling the budget," Robles said.

Sniff said he downsized the administration when he took office and has consistently kept positions vacant at the administrative level to save money.

Reach Duane W. Gang at 951-368-9547 or dgang@PE.com

Retired chief deputy to run for county sheriff

June 16, 2009

ERICA FELCI
The Desert Sun

Retired chief deputy sheriff Frank Robles will announce Wednesday that he’s running for Riverside County Sheriff in 2010.

Robles, a Riverside father of two who retired in 2007, has 35 years of law enforcement experience. That includes serving as Desert Hot Springs police chief in the 1980s and, during his time at the sheriff’s department, heading east valley operations such as the Indio and Palm Desert stations.

Robles unsuccessfully ran for sheriff in 1994. He's announcing this candidacy in a series of newspaper ads that run Wednesday.

Robles is the first person to challenge Sheriff Stanley Sniff, who was appointed to the position in October 2007 amid a divisive public debate regarding the department’s future.

In announcing his candidacy, Robles also announced the endorsement of former Sheriff Bob Doyle. Doyle did not support Sniff as his successor, instead backing then-Undersheriff Neil Lingle.

“I’m first of all concerned about the budget and the way its being handled by the present administration,” Robles said. “It seems like all the cutting is at the rank-and-file level. We need to look at administration too. I’d be taking a long hard look at every single position.”

The county is facing an estimated $130 million drop in revenue in the coming fiscal year. County supervisors last week reworked the figures to minimize the impact to the sheriff’s department and a final budget will be presented June 30.

As sheriff, Robles said he’d take a 10 percent pay cut and leave top, higher salary positions vacant.

Robles worked under Sniff for a couple of months before retiring. Sniff said Robles was an at-will employee and had asked him to leave early as part of a overhaul of the department.

Sniff, notably, had been an at-will of Doyle’s who had been let go about 10 months before supervisors appointed him to the top post.

Sniff said he expected an Election Day challenge. He’s already been campaigning, garnering broad law enforcement backing that includes two previous sheriffs.

“There are always legitimate issues to argue I think part of this is sour grapes,” Sniff said. “We’re very, very eager to defend what we’ve doing and the major changes we’ve made.”

Robles said he’s starting the campaign early because he plans to reach out to the local communities.

“Stan is not an elected sheriff,” Robles said. “The people are the ones who should decide who the sheriff should be.”

Dear Friend,

Riverside County’s mix of large dynamic cities and small desert towns offers unique opportunities and distinct challenges for law enforcement. To face these challenges, our Sheriff’s Department demands independent leadership, rock-solid integrity and a leader who knows how to get the most out of limited taxpayer dollars. That is why I am writing to announce my candidacy for Sheriff of Riverside County. Most of my life has been dedicated to protecting people from crime and violence. Over more than three decades, I have had the honor of serving as a Reserve Deputy, Sheriff’s Deputy, D.A. Investigator, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Police Chief and Chief Deputy Sheriff.

In the coming months, I intend to talk with Riverside County voters about keeping our communities safe in the face of dwindling resources. It will take all of us working together to re-establish a well-run, efficient Sheriff’s Department without sacrificing public safety.

AS YOUR SHERIFF I WILL INSIST THAT THE RIVERSIDE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT CUT SPENDING ON ADMINISTRATION AND SALARIES AT THE TOP TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP OUR DEPUTIES ON THE STREETS AND CRIMINALS IN JAIL.

The health and well-being of every corner of Riverside County depends on responsive local government and professional law enforcement personnel free from the pressures of politics. We need a Sheriff who is committed to those principles. During this campaign, I will only offer “frank talk” about the changes our Sheriff’s Department needs.

I am truly optimistic about what we can do together to keep our county safe. I’m honored to have the endorsement of Retired Sheriff Bob Doyle. I look forward to earning your trust and support as well. For more on my 35-year background in law enforcement and to learn how you can volunteer or contribute to my campaign or call 951-742-5252.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,