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Powell would be Finnegan's undersheriff

By DOMINIC ADAMS Argus-Press Staff Writer

Friday, October 10, 2008 2:21 PM EDT

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.

Comment on this Story

Supporter wrote on Oct 14, 2008 12:31 AM:

" MP why not ask George Braidwood why he is a democrat? I think it's only fair you ask this question before presuming you know the answer. "

concerned wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:52 AM:

" MP....isn't any election about winning...I personally have a party preference but have never voted straight ticket. I go for the most qualified....... "

mp wrote on Oct 11, 2008 10:00 AM:

" has anyone forgotten that george braidwood ran as a republican last election??? he is only concerned about winning, not his party affiliation. might want to think about this before you make a straight ticket vote. "

mr g wrote on Oct 11, 2008 7:52 AM:

" the naming of the undersheriff is critical at the department, he basically runs the show. the sheriff merely has oversight. for braidwood not to name his pick is arrogant and not giving the voters the information needed to make the correct choice. and by the way, the prosecutor is the top law enforcement official in the county - even above the sheriff. "

Go Deana wrote on Oct 11, 2008 7:01 AM:

" Me thinks tho protesteth too much!
The sheriff race has been big news in shiawassee county for the past 6 months now, and all of a sudden you want the argus to stop informing the public of the information that it is being given to them!
Shame on you ... this sounds almost as bad as past administration ... please lets not have the same "keep us in the dark", notion going! "

she-awassee wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:36 PM:

" Are we electing a sheriff or an undersheriff? and who gets top pay?? "

Ms M wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:01 PM:

" What a mess. Finnegan has not won her election yet but has already named her #2 asst. and Braidwood knows but he won't tell. Whose plan is best? I know - neither! "

pam shepard wrote on Oct 9, 2008 6:49 PM:

" deana, good luck on your running if i was there i would have the biggest sign u ever saw. but since i'm not my prayers are with u. u have been very good my daughter sarah and myself.GOOD LUCK PAM "

Mr. Completely wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:18 PM:

" Just once, I'd like the Argus to not be so Republican biased. Just once, I'd like them to write a fair unbiaseed article. Just once I'd like to see the front page used for a Democratic or Independant political message. This is how they get their reputation as a "Republican Rag".
I talked to several people who were equally appalled at the free advertising they gave to yet another Republican candidate. "

Spencer wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:13 PM:

" What is it with the Argus? This is the first time in history that they have even done an article on the undersheriff choice, let alone FRONT PAGE! Come on, folks, talk about free advertising! I hope all the local candidates get this great front page coverage. This woman hasn't even been elected yet. Word on the street is that she won't be elected, either. "

dee wrote on Oct 9, 2008 12:02 AM:

" 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.”

*******************

Kinda like McCain and Palin... Experience and Fresh face just reversed..Good Luck to you both!!wish you all the best "

max wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:23 PM:

" Isn't she going a little bit early??? She hasen't won yet... "

shiataxpayer wrote on Oct 8, 2008 4:17 PM:

" Sounds like sour grapes Mr. Braidwood. "