Friday, October 10, 2008
News
Powell would be Finnegan's undersheriff
By DOMINIC ADAMS Argus-Press Staff Writer
CORUNNA - Republican Deana Finnegan tagged current Shiawassee County Jail Administrator Lt. Doug Powell as her undersheriff if she is elected in November.
Finnegan is running against Democrat George Braidwood for Shiawassee County Sheriff in the Nov. 4 election. She defeated Sheriff Jon Wilson in the August primary.
“Lt. Powell has the respect of everybody in the department,” Finnegan said. “He's risen through the ranks pretty quickly. He's got the knowledge of how every aspect of that department runs. To make a smooth transition - to bring some cohesiveness - he's really the glue that will help keep that department running well.”
Powell will oversee the road patrol and the department's command staff.
In his current role as jail administrator, Powell oversees the day-to-day operations of Shiawassee County's maximum-security facility. In his 20-plus years at the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Department, Powell also has been a road patrol deputy, a road sergeant and detective sergeant.
Powell's voicemail greeting at the sheriff's department said he will be off work for the majority of October because of minor surgery.
Finnegan said she decided to go public with her decision because people kept asking her about who her undersheriff would be.
With almost 20 years as an assistant prosecutor in Shiawassee County, Finnegan said it was vital to pick someone with knowledge of the department.
“I am coming from the outside. I know how the department runs and I have some ideas on how to improve things,” Finnegan said. “It's important to have someone who knows that budget and who knows that department from all aspects. My view of the sheriff is an administrator.”
Finnegan said she wants to restore leadership to the department.
“Our sheriff's department has been a ship without an anchor,” she said. “They don't have an undersheriff. Through no fault of [undersheriff] Terry Walker, the man's just been ill. Sheriff Wilson hasn't been there and there's a lot of things that have fallen through the cracks.”
Braidwood said he has an undersheriff pick from within the department, but will not reveal his pick until after the election.
“I don't need to,” Braidwood said. “I think I am a strong enough candidate on my own.”
Braidwood spent 17 years with the sheriff's department, before going to work with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. He served as undersheriff, deputy sheriff, detective sergeant and was an original member of the Mid-Michigan Area Group Narcotics Enforcement Team.
It isn't fair to put a potential No. 2 on the spot until after voters decide, Braidwood said.
“She's made an excellent choice,” Braidwood said of Finnegan choosing Powell as undersheriff. “He'd be able to hold up any shortcomings she might have for lack of experience.”
- Contact Dominic Adams at 725-5136 extension 239 or by e-mail at dadamsarguspress@gmail.com.
Finnegan is running against Democrat George Braidwood for Shiawassee County Sheriff in the Nov. 4 election. She defeated Sheriff Jon Wilson in the August primary.
“Lt. Powell has the respect of everybody in the department,” Finnegan said. “He's risen through the ranks pretty quickly. He's got the knowledge of how every aspect of that department runs. To make a smooth transition - to bring some cohesiveness - he's really the glue that will help keep that department running well.”
Powell will oversee the road patrol and the department's command staff.
In his current role as jail administrator, Powell oversees the day-to-day operations of Shiawassee County's maximum-security facility. In his 20-plus years at the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Department, Powell also has been a road patrol deputy, a road sergeant and detective sergeant.
Powell's voicemail greeting at the sheriff's department said he will be off work for the majority of October because of minor surgery.
Finnegan said she decided to go public with her decision because people kept asking her about who her undersheriff would be.
With almost 20 years as an assistant prosecutor in Shiawassee County, Finnegan said it was vital to pick someone with knowledge of the department.
“I am coming from the outside. I know how the department runs and I have some ideas on how to improve things,” Finnegan said. “It's important to have someone who knows that budget and who knows that department from all aspects. My view of the sheriff is an administrator.”
Finnegan said she wants to restore leadership to the department.
“Our sheriff's department has been a ship without an anchor,” she said. “They don't have an undersheriff. Through no fault of [undersheriff] Terry Walker, the man's just been ill. Sheriff Wilson hasn't been there and there's a lot of things that have fallen through the cracks.”
Braidwood said he has an undersheriff pick from within the department, but will not reveal his pick until after the election.
“I don't need to,” Braidwood said. “I think I am a strong enough candidate on my own.”
Braidwood spent 17 years with the sheriff's department, before going to work with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. He served as undersheriff, deputy sheriff, detective sergeant and was an original member of the Mid-Michigan Area Group Narcotics Enforcement Team.
It isn't fair to put a potential No. 2 on the spot until after voters decide, Braidwood said.
“She's made an excellent choice,” Braidwood said of Finnegan choosing Powell as undersheriff. “He'd be able to hold up any shortcomings she might have for lack of experience.”
- Contact Dominic Adams at 725-5136 extension 239 or by e-mail at dadamsarguspress@gmail.com.