On pins and needles

With all that has been said thus far — and there is a stunning amount — Sheriff Corpus appears determined to stand behind Aenlle.

I got to know Corpus and Aenlle during her 2022 campaign for sheriff. I found her genuine and sincere. I found Aenlle interesting and smart and replete with strong opinions about making wholesale changes to the Sheriff’s Office. I liked them both, not that it matters. I am in no position to assess anyone’s ability to run a police department, although I reserve the right to assess the public performance of any elected official.

What was clear is that they were very close professionally and personally and that Corpus regarded him as her most important advisor.

The key word here is advisor. In the end, the buck has to stop with the sheriff. Aenlle may be the object of unhappiness and even outrage, but the focus should be on Corpus’ decision to appoint him, to continue to support him as a key advisor on her staff, and whether she will insist on doing so after the report. Beyond the practical considerations of how well he is, or is not, assisting her in running the office — and doing so with her approval — she must consider the political damage or benefit she accrues by his continuing presence.

In reviewing the comments made by the sheriff since the controversy arose, it is clear she has chosen a strategy of aggressive attacks on those she perceives as her attackers. This kind of rhetoric was mirrored by Aenlle when his coastside property was among those assessed as substandard by a county farmworker housing task force.

Aenlle said the report was part of a conspiracy by the county to undermine the sheriff, and he responded with some alarming comments, as reported by the Daily Journal’s Ana Mata.

“This is retribution,” Aenlle said. “They’re doing anything they can to misuse county resources and tremendous abuse of power by the government. Nothing else. By doing this they’re trying to continue to weaken the sheriff and they’re doing that through her staff and those closest to her.” 

Aenlle also said “no responsibility falls on the owner” — meaning him — for the conditions on the property. This is what is known as the Landlord’s Lament.

It is unlikely a coincidence that Corpus responded to the attacks on her office with a similar kind of counterattack focused on County Executive Mike Callagy. Her assertions will lead to a second independent investigation into his interactions with the Sheriff’s Office.

This second investigation has the potential to be more fascinating and, indeed, revealing. Callagy is widely and well-regarded throughout much of the county, and there are some who think a look into his actions may turn up a story that belies many of Corpus’ accusations and adds one more unfavorable mark to the sheriff’s reputation.

Meanwhile, the second investigation guarantees that the controversy will be a nice little package waiting for the new board members, Jackie Speier, and the winner of the race between Antonio López and Lisa Gauthier.

SPEAKING OF: The latest campaign finance reports in the race between Gauthier and López shows that the latter raised an impressive $261,512 from the middle of last year through Sept. 21; Gauthier raised $187,710. In the most recent fundraising period, July 1 to Sept. 21, the candidates raised nearly identical amounts — $32,726 for Gauthier, $33,925 for López. López and Gauthier are running for the District 4 board seat being vacated due to term limits by Warren Slocum.

More than 77% of López’s donors reside outside the county. By contrast, more than 56% of Gauthier’s donors reside within the county.

Perhaps most importantly, Lopez began the final weeks of the campaign with $128,365 in his campaign treasury; Gauthier had $19,748.

Note to readers: This column has been changed to clarify the location of the property is on the coastside.

Mark Simon is a veteran journalist, whose career included 15 years as an executive at SamTrans and Caltrain. He can be reached at marksimon@smdailyjournal.com.