[StBernard] Sheriff's Race

[Westley Annis]

JDR,

I never did, or never would be critical of Jack Stephens.  I like him and 
think he acted herocially during the hurricane.  I just feel feel that Mr. 
Bernadas is every bit as qualified be sheriff as Sheriff Stephens.  I do not

agree with you that all of Mr.Bernadas' experience has been in a class room 
and that he has no real experience in the field. I know first hand that he 
does.  No one investigates, and solves crimes all by themselves.  There is a

team that works together and each has their job. There is no shame in being 
educated in criminal behavior and techniques to help solve and prevent 
crime.  It is a positive and only adds to a candidates ability.  It is not 
an easy task to get a job in the FBI.  One has to be very qualified and 
competent.  I also do not agree that that Mr. Bernadas was "boasting or 
bragging about his wall documents"  by simply stating his qualifications and

credentials.  Isn't that what candidates should do so we can get to know 
them and who they are so we can make an informed decision?  You say you are 
not trying to belittle him, yet you use words like "dinky buttons" and "wall

diplomas"  as if these things mean nothing.  They do mean something and 
represent training, hard work, understanding of criminal behavior, 
dedication, the sort of thing that moves the average patrolman up in rank.  
Mr. Maitre, Mr. Arnold may very well be good candidates and able to do the 
job.  I just don't feel they are the best person for the job.  Now Mr. 
Landry, I know a little more about him and would not vote for him.  I just 
don't like him for personal reasons and the favoratism he has shown in the 
past.  I don't think that is what we need in St. Bernard.

Laurie


>-----------------------------------------------------

>To whom it may concern and Laurie.

>

>  I'm not implying that he's not telling the truth, I'm merely stating the

>titles he's boasting about are everyday job duties of the average Patrolman

>or Peace Officer with a real badge and arrest powers.. Anyone with shooting

>skills and a badge can get qualified as a firearm's instructor through the

>Louisiana Post Academy, the requirements are just as stringent as the

>National Academy in Virginia. As for the Easterling girl on television and

>his brief appearance, I could be mistaken, but I think he was there only to

>secure and catalog the evidence gathered by the actual Case Officer (s). I

>will give him credit for going through the National Academy, he deserves 

>it,

>it's not easy.

>

>  I'm not trying to bad mouth Mr. Bernadas, I'm merely stating that his

>twenty two or three years in Law Enforcement will not go unrecognized. But

>there are hundreds of policemen on the streets with the same or better

>qualifications that he is boasting about. They on the other hand have

>obtained most of their knowledge on the street living the job, not in a

>classroom and are not on the October 20th Ballot. As is the case for Mr.

>Maitre, Mr. Arnold and the incumbent, Sheriff Stephens. Mr. Landry does 

>have

>some basic knowledge of Law Enforcement in his prior Elected Office as

>Justice of the Peace. Just because someone looks good on paper doesn't

>necessarily make them the right person for the job.

>

>  Sure you can say that Jack Stephens never had any experience in Law

>Enforcement when he was elected. But this man has been through the thick of

>it and inquired an incredible amount of knowledge and -alls in the field of

>Law Enforcement. On the job training in the field, this again cannot be

>taught in the classroom. He kept the Sheriff's Dept. going after Katrina

>unlike the debacle in New Orleans. For the first seven days there was no

>help. For Christ sake the Royal Canadian Mounted Police beat the Damn

>National Guard here.

>  I don't know Mr. Bernadas personally and it is not my intention to talk 

>ill

>of him either. I don't know if he was required to stay for the storm or 

>took

>care of his family and got them to safety. I wish him and his family well

>and hope they weathered the storm unharmed. It was a terrible ordeal for

>all.

>

>  However, Don't Boast or Brag about your wall Documents, Academy Diplomas 

>or

>your Dinky Buttons, because I'm not impressed, been there done that. Tell 

>me

>about your hands on experience, your life on the street as a Field Agent.

>Your best Felony Arrest and Conviction. Not one you assisted in. Tell me

>what really qualifies you to be Sheriff of St. Bernard. St. Bernard Parish

>has come along way since the storm and still has a long way to go. But to

>question the Law Enforcement since the storm and prior, provided by Sheriff

>Stephens administration is unmentionable, these Candidates aren't even in

>the same ballpark.

>

>How many Murders do you hear of or Heinous crimes against persons. How many

>Armed Robberies or Home invasions, you don't, because it doesn't happen in

>St. Bernard Parish. This is the safest Parish in the Metro Area

>statistically and that can be directly attributed to the job that Sheriff

>Jack Stephens has done.

>

>  Don't worry you won't offend me, I'm a big boy, I can take criticism and 

>I

>expect it after this.

>

>JDR