Tim Shotwell, a veteran custody officer in Clark County’s jail, said this week that he’s making his second run for Clark County Sheriff.
He claimed that incumbent Garry Lucas, sheriff since 1990, is checked out, doesn’t seem to spend much time in the office and appears unmotivated to solve the department’s problems.
“In the Army, we call them ROADs — retired on active duty,” Shotwell, 59, said of Lucas, 66. “I’m going to regret saying this, but I’m going to say it anyway: He’s the most qualified man in Clark County to be Clark County sheriff. Absolutely. But if you don’t do the job and you’re not there, what good are you?”
Shotwell, president of the jail custody officers’ guild since September 2008, is a Democrat. He ran against the Republican Lucas in 2006, drawing 42 percent of the vote.
Shotwell said problems in Lucas’s office include:
o Failure to fully use the Lower River Road jail work center, which Shotwell said could be used for medium-security custody as well as minimum-security custody, in order to avoid early jail releases when the jail fills up.
o Poor communication between administrators and unions.
o A lack of investigation into problems treating mentally ill inmates, as detailed in an independent 2009 report on the jail’s clinic.
o Possible “racial overtones” in the firing last year of Shotwell’s friend, former jail Cmdr. Cliff Evelyn, who is black, after accusations of sexual harassment.
Like Lucas, Shotwell believes the county needs to build a new jail “in the next 10 years.”
Shotwell didn’t raise objections to any of Lucas’ policies on patrol deputies, saying he needed to talk to the deputies’ labor guild first.
Lucas’ administrators blow off scheduled meetings with unions and seem to resist cutting custody officers’ pay even when the officers have offered it up as a budget measure, Shotwell said.
“In 14 years, I’ve seen him in the jail less than five times,” Shotwell said. “Same with the undersheriff (Joe Dunegan). Why aren’t these people personable enough to step in and see these people where the rubber meets the road?”
Asked to respond Friday, Lucas said he works 40 to 55 hours per week.
“Just because Mr. Shotwell doesn’t see my car doesn’t mean I’m not working,” Lucas said.
He added that “communication is a two-way street,” that he’d promised the residents of Fruit Valley not to house high-risk inmates at the work center, and that problems with inmates’ medical service were “really a function of our medical provider” rather than the sheriff’s office itself.
Lucas declined to say Friday whether he’ll run for re-election in 2010.
Shotwell, a Clark County resident since 1980, joined the sheriff’s office in 1997 after 25 years in the U.S. Army. He retired as a sergeant, first class, after service that included Vietnam, Korea, and Operation Desert Storm. He also spent 2005 and 2006 on active duty in California, doing logistical work for soldiers in Iraq.
His Web site is http://www.shotwellforsheriff.com.
Clark County’s sheriff earns $98,224 annually.
Michael Andersen: 360-735-4508 or michael.andersen@columbian.com.
