‘It has been an odyssey’

Anyway, it is over.

At the end of Wednesday’s appointment, the predominant emotion written plainly on the faces of board members and key county staff was that of visible relief.

“It has been an odyssey,” Supervisor Jackie Speier said.

Indeed, we may never know all the corrupt and foolish things attempted by disgraced ex-Sheriff Christina Corpus that were blocked by staff who remained loyal to a higher calling.

MOVING ON: Binder was sworn into office and he has to move on quickly, something he acknowledged with a list of interests and people with whom he would meet.

Supervisor Lisa Gauthier asked all three finalists, “Why San Mateo County? Why now?” 

Binder replied, succinctly, “There is a need here,” he said. “Given my experience and love of law enforcement, I want to pour (these) into the county. … I will put my heart and soul into it.”

In the end, and it is the end, the four supervisors who voted to appoint Binder appear to have selected the right person, whose experience and disposition seem to fit the time and circumstance. Over 27 years at the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, former Undersheriff Binder led every aspect of that agency, experience that mirrors the wide-ranging needs of San Mateo County — including leading an agency mired in a corruption scandal that drove a sheriff from office.

He seems almost tailor-made for the moment.

Speakers in support of Binder used the same terms over and over — calm, collaborative, integrity, partnership, genuineness, stability, accountability.

A DO-OVER: Former Undersheriff Chris Hsiung confirmed Wednesday afternoon that he has agreed to return to the post he resigned after chaos descended on the Corpus tenure. Hsiung, former police chief in Mountain View, has a national reputation for progressive policing.

It also is rumored that Binder will restore former Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan to his old job; Corpus tried to fire Monaghan for cooperating with retired Judge LaDoris Cordell’s report on the office turmoil. County Executive Mike Callagy transferred Monaghan to a new position to avoid his firing.

BY THE WAY: The Cordell Report turned out to be pretty accurate, despite the best efforts of Corpus and her close, personal friend, Victor Aenlle, the good doctor, to denounce the document.

CLEANUP ON AISLE FOUR: Binder committed to swiftly reviewing and resolving the number of personnel placed on administrative leave in what insiders say was a continuing pattern of vindictive harassment. The most notable of these has been Carlos Tapia, head of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, who was arrested amid accusations — later dismissed — of time card fraud following a news conference in which he criticized Corpus; Tapia has remained on leave. Insiders expect Binder will reinstate him, perhaps as soon as today. More than a few noted that yesterday’s vote occurred on the one-year anniversary of the Cordell Report and Tapia’s arrest.

POLITICAL FOLLOW-UP: Speier asked Binder if he would run for sheriff in 2028, when his current term runs out. “I’m in it for the long term,” he said. If he can “build the trust of this community … I would love to run again.”

LONE WOLF: More than a few people are puzzling over board President David Canepa’s behavior in the final hours of the selection process.

Unwaveringly behind David Lazar, former San Francisco assistant police chief, from the outset, Canepa repeatedly tried to call into question Binder’s credentials and reputation during the scandals in Santa Clara County. Binder, in fact, was appointed interim sheriff after that scandal, suggesting no one thought he had any culpability. Moments before Canepa began a prosecutorial-style questioning of Binder, he texted Daily Journal reporter Ana Mata: “Get your pen ready. Lol.” Canepa also made comments to a local TV station Wednesday morning that appeared to call into question — at the last moment — the entire appointment process.

At a post-meeting news conference, he stood by his lone vote against Binder.

That a unanimous vote might have been a fitting end to the controversy apparently was not enough to shake Canepa from his position, who asserted he was fine with his decision.

Supervisor Noelia Corzo said Canepa’s dissent “was not disappointing because I was not surprised.” She said Canepa’s vote ran counter to a “clear consensus … but I will tell you I don’t think it was in the best interests of the county.”