In the Daily Journal’s recent Sheriff’s Office articles, it seems San Mateo County Board of Supervisors may attempt a power grab with a March 2025 ballot measure. This measure would ask San Mateo County voters to give up their right to recall a duly elected sheriff. Voters’ right to recall would be transferred to the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors (and sheriff’s unions or others) would decide if a sheriff is recalled. This idea is dangerous and undemocratic — the supervisors should stop contemplating it.
Reports about corruption in the Sheriff’s Office are disheartening, for sure. But voters should decide whether they want to recall Sheriff Christina Corpus. It’s not County Executive Mike Callagy and the Board of Supervisors role to decide what does or doesn’t justify recall of an elected official.
Besides, the county executive and the Board of Supervisors are not on high ground when it comes to malfeasance. They have violated Article 34 of the California Constitution, robbing voters of their rights to approve public housing projects within San Mateo County cities. County Executive Mike Callagy has been particularly dishonest in Article 34 matters, contriving a ballot measure to trick voters out of their Article 34 voting rights, and usurp city authority over land use. Thankfully, several supervisors didn’t support it.
It’s time for voters to take a hard look at what is going on in San Mateo County. Our trust of some government officials seems to be misplaced.
There is no power grab. Voters are not being asked to give up the right to recall anyone. The right to recall is not being transferred from voters to the Board of Supervisors. Take a look at Mark Simon’s column in today’s DJ. He describes in plain English why the voters’ right to recall is not being usurped by the Board of Supervisors.
I agree with your statement, “Reports about corruption in the Sheriff’s Office are disheartening, for sure.” However, voters will decide whether the sheriff should be removed from office by voting on a charter amendment in March 2025. Why would such a voter approved amendment be undemocratic?
Here’s the great thing about our democracy. Everyone should respect your opposition to a March 2025 charter amendment. If you believe a recall is the better way to remove a corrupt sheriff… that’s totally OK. So, I’m wondering… when do you plan to start a recall campaign? I’ll sign the petition.
Like San Carlos, where I live, Millbrae is a client city of the Sheriffs Office. Your deputies are working in a very stressful environment, which impacts public safety. That should worry you, as your safety is potentially impacted. Deputies are leaving the SMC SO, and recruiting is very hard right now. Think about that.
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(2) comments
Good morning, Laura and Ken
There is no power grab. Voters are not being asked to give up the right to recall anyone. The right to recall is not being transferred from voters to the Board of Supervisors. Take a look at Mark Simon’s column in today’s DJ. He describes in plain English why the voters’ right to recall is not being usurped by the Board of Supervisors.
I agree with your statement, “Reports about corruption in the Sheriff’s Office are disheartening, for sure.” However, voters will decide whether the sheriff should be removed from office by voting on a charter amendment in March 2025. Why would such a voter approved amendment be undemocratic?
Here’s the great thing about our democracy. Everyone should respect your opposition to a March 2025 charter amendment. If you believe a recall is the better way to remove a corrupt sheriff… that’s totally OK. So, I’m wondering… when do you plan to start a recall campaign? I’ll sign the petition.
Like San Carlos, where I live, Millbrae is a client city of the Sheriffs Office. Your deputies are working in a very stressful environment, which impacts public safety. That should worry you, as your safety is potentially impacted. Deputies are leaving the SMC SO, and recruiting is very hard right now. Think about that.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.