Armstrong Looking To Make Major Changes If Elected Ocean County Sheriff
Democrat challenging longtime Sheriff William L. Polhemus in race for three-year term.
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The Democratic candidate running for Ocean County sheriff this year says issues, not age, will be the focus of his campaign.
George "Bob" Armstrong, 68, is challenging 83-year-old William L. Polhemus for the three-year sheriff's term in November. He unveiled his platform on the steps of the Ocean County Courthouse Monday afternoon.
He doesn't plan to make an issue out of Polhemus' age.
"That's up to the voters to decide," Armstrong said in an interview this morning.
"Even if he was only 60 years old, it's been way too long," he added. "It's just outrageous for one person to be there for 27 years."
Armstrong said his 40-year career in law enforcement will benefit the Sheriff's Department and the residents of Ocean County.
He has served as a Special Agent with U.S. Army Intelligence, the FBI and the U.S. Treasury. He retired as a Lt. Colonel with the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations after 32 years of service. He also served as a state investigator/detective with the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice and as a special agent with the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation.
Armstrong proposes putting the Corrections Department back under the supervision of the Ocean County Sheriff, a move he says would cut down on overtime and put more officers on the street.
"If Corrections was combined, you'd have more bodies to move around," he said.
The Ocean County Sheriff supervised the Corrections Department for more than 100 years in the past.
But that changed more than 25 years ago, when Board of Freeholders reversed course. The board passes a resolution that separated both departments and appointed Theodore J. Hutler Jr. as jail warden to oversee the Corrections Department, Armstrong said.
It would take the cooperation of the Board of Freeholders to make the change, he said.
"It's going to be tough," Armstrong said. "It's a challenge I'd like to take on."
The combined overtime budget for the Sheriff's Office and Corrections Department tallied over $4 million in 2011, compared to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, which spent $400,000 in overtime, he said.
"They (Prosecutor's Office) are the only ones conducting crime investigations and they probably have 70 investigators," Armstrong said.
Almost half of the Ocean County Sheriff's Department officers — who are certified police officers anywhere in the county — make over $100,000, Armstrong said.
That's an untapped source of law enforcement power that could be put to better use than manning metal detector stations at the Ocean County Courthouse and the Justice Complex and serving warrants , he said.
"They guard the doors, they serve papers," Armstrong said. "These guys can enforce the law throughout Ocean County. We have this big source that's not being used."
He agrees that armed law enforcement officers are needed at certain areas in the courthouse. But security personnel could be put in place in some areas, freeing up sheriff's officers for more substantial duties, he said.
Armstrong proposes putting more sheriff's officers back on the street to help local police departments, which are often understaffed and dealing with gang and drug-related crime in their communities.
"The young guys are looking to get involved," he said. "The old-timers, who are making a lot of money, they are happy."
Armstrong said that if elected, he would meet with each police chief in Ocean County to determine if and where sheriff's officers could assist their departments.
"I propose to sit down with the Ocean County chiefs and work together as a team, to put an end to the past 27-year history that discouraged the Ocean County Sheriff's officers from engaging in shared community policing in our local communities"," he said.
Armstrong said he will push for debates with Polhemus during the campaign. He said he never saw Polhemus once at any candidates' nights in the 2009 race, when he ran unsuccessfully against the sheriff.
"I'd be sitting up there by myself," he said. "it was sort of a joke that Polhemus wasn't there. He just takes it for granted."
Polhemus has served as Ocean County Sheriff since 1985. Prior to that, he was police chief of the Seaside Heights Police Department and served 35 years in the department.
"The sheriff to my knowledge has been running a good operation over there," Ocean County Republican Chairman George R. Gilmore said recently. "The sheriff has said that he wants to run."
When asked if he thought Polhemus was up to another term, Gilmore replied, "I see no impediment to his running and winning."
Karen
2:36 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
This guy Armstrong smells a win here. Too bad he is flying under the Dem badge here OC. Was that the recent loser Brush next to him on the steps? All he needs is the EX-Freeholder candidate Rosen and this guy can generate a real big loss. The thing is , he can win this one.He needs to realize Paulhemus will never debate him ever and he just may pull this one off. How funny, debate with Paulhemus....
ballyjduf
3:53 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
I'll have mine on the rocks
Kelley
2:49 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Armstrong: "It's just outrageous for one person to be there for 27 years. That's up to the voters to decide."
Aren't you contradicting yourself? You say it's outrageous that he is still there after so long, yet the voters have kept him there....
ballyjduf
3:49 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Voters are like sheep running off the side of a mountain one after each other . I'm a Dem , I'm a Rep right down the line . NO thought goes into the vote .
butch cassidy
4:38 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
i am a republican and voting for armstrong...def need a change
Carolina Shores
2:55 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
I'm hoping the OC (Republican) house of cards tumbles with this single election.
ballyjduf
3:46 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
He has served as a Special Agent with U.S. Army Intelligence, the FBI and the U.S. Treasury. He retired as a Lt. Colonel with the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations after 32 years of service. He also served as a state investigator/detective with the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice and as a special agent with the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation.
Polhemus drank in every bar in O.C.
Micheal TM.
3:58 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Arrogance on the part of the OC GOP may cause this one to be lost for them. Just remember the County GOP has a head start of about 3000 County employee votes on there side. They have a no shot again, against the zero's the Dems put up for Freeholder this year against a very popular Little and Bartlett. This is an Pres election year in real R country, anti Obama. This one spot for Sheriff the Dems can win and start to pick off the old guard.
JOHNNY Done it
11:55 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Now Polhemus stops to go to the bathroom in every bar.
riverfest
4:26 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
forget the age and length of service issues - never has there been a more clear choice or more qualified candidate for any elected position in ocean county. good luck bob
10% Tax Cut NOW
4:38 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
It's time to get rid of our Ocean County version of Smokey and the Bandit
JOHNNY Done it
12:01 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Its actually Hazard County
Kev Beac
4:41 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The problem is he joined up with the likes of the Ocean County Democrat party. He is in great company there with Paul Brush, Michele Rosen and a whole slew of multiple election losers, need I go on? Maybe they should put Mr Pulhemus in the proper retirment facility and enlist Armsrtong in the R Party, because this year is going to be a slam dunkaroo for the Ocean County R's.
Chief Wahoo
5:11 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Wow, is it that hard to get a sheriff who is not on medicare ????
Tarkus
5:41 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Hi Oscar!
Chief Wahoo
6:32 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
hey big daddy ......hows it going .....glad to have your pea brain in my fan club
Eric Thomas
3:26 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Clearly, Colonel Armstrong is the person for this job.
And he will have my vote come Election Day.
1stcav
8:18 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Ah, that would be Gen .Geo. Armstrong Custer, 1st .of the 7 th Cav . and he also was KILLED @ Lil' Big Horn maybe Kin too ! But anything is better than "The Gang that Couldn't Shoot Straight..The Sheriff and Under Sheriff remember when the boys came home from the great war, that was the 1 st World War !It's been time for a change 25 yrs ago....
Jerseyclone
9:24 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Polhemus is an old fool and republican puppet who on a real good day could not fulfill his obligation to the taxpayers. He is like all republican--kiss Gilmore butt and double dipper screwing the taxpayers.
Taxpayers need to revolt---stop paying taxes until all politicians resign or go to jail.
TP
10:41 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Too bad he's a dem. Wonder if he supports the thug in our White House.
Our Country has some serious problems:
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Disturbing. Read the background notes on this group. http://owl.li/a42mm
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This! In the USA??
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JOHNNY Done it
11:51 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The problem are the voters most of them are party line idiots . I sure if Hitler was running for sheriff on the rep ticket..They will vote for him .The problem is we know what he did in his past....I wonder what the Sheriff has kept under raps thats why he keeps getting nominated,,You tell me there isnt a younger candidate that the rep have that can run....This whole thing smells like something no good..
Ken Bank
1:13 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Polhemus knows which closets Gilmore's skeletons are hanging in. That's why Gilmore gives him the GOP line for as long as Polhemus can sit in his Hoveround..
Lakeland63
7:56 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
"I propose to sit down with the Ocean County chiefs and work together as a team, to put an end to the past 27-year history that discouraged the Ocean County Sheriff's officers from engaging in shared community policing in our local communities"," he said. Great idea, why not have a Reverse 911, under the OC Sheriffs department to provide emergency notification.information to our local communities.
Jim
7:58 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I dont trust anyone with a background in the FBI. Guess its Polhemus for me again.
JOHNNY Done it
12:18 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
Sounds good vote the sheriff back in who doesnt know what day it is or what his job is,, want to waste your tax dollars at least give to a local non profit..
Walter J Hobb's
8:17 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
You folks don't get it. This guy could be 84, 54 or 24 the R's are going to sweep in this county big time in Nov. The will go down that party line in November like lighting, I would estimate 90% of the voters don't even know or pay any attention to the Sheriff spot. Geeze a few years ago when I think it was the County Surrogate? Franklin Fisher had passed away he won the election cause his name was still on the ballot. Armstrong is also like 70 so whats the difference? For the record Pelhumus will win along with Barlett, Little and the rest of the party line.
Hearme
11:08 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Armstrong seems to have a strong background that appears to make him a good candidate. I am excited to find out more about him and his ideas. It's nice to see someone making an effort to do something to change the stupidity that has gone on in this area for so long.
The current sheriff is getting paid to be in a position that he has been in for as long as I have lived here at least (25 years) yet I never see him doing anything except show up for a parade or photo op. He and Vacari must be related. I have never seen more people get paid to do jobs that they just don't do anywhere else but in Ocean County NJ. It is so frustrating as a tax payer.I don't like paying taxes anymore than the next person, however we have to do it. I Just want to make sure that the person getting my tax dollars as a salary is doing the job they were hired to do.The current sheriff has never done the job as long as I have lived here. I don't understand why anyone votes for him. His age is not the issue he sucked at his job 25 years ago and he still sucks at it.If he was doing a great job and was capable of continuing I wouldn't care if he were 100.
The fact is he is incapable or unwilling or maybe both to do this job. His party affiliation should have nothing to do with his position either. I would love it if the Sheriff was a non partisanship position and you just got elected based on your qualifications and stand on how the office should be run.
TP
8:47 am on Thursday, April 5, 2012
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So Much to Say
11:16 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
Gues what......We're in NEW JERSEY. Who cares what their doing in FLORIDA.
Mark Wendell
4:47 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Mr Armstrong, I wish you luck and you have my vote Sir!
Pastor Hill
12:27 am on Sunday, April 29, 2012
Stay with what you have. Armstrong is not the person for this job, he would sell his soul, switch his party and he has never walked a beat in his life. BIG EGO!!!!!!!!!!!!
So Much to Say
11:15 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
Better then the senile old man who needs a keeper to leave his home. Altzheimer/Dementia.
JOHNNY Done it
1:53 am on Sunday, April 29, 2012
@pastor hill. so lets put an 80+ old guy.. that cannot remmenber what he said 5 minutes earlier....that makes real sense dont it. lets put a 10 year old in there.Least he knows whats going on & stay on the same subject in conversation...I will take the big ego
1stcav
12:57 pm on Sunday, April 29, 2012
Pastor Hill...please, when and how LONG ago did the Sheriff walk that beat ??? He needs a siren on his Hoveround in the SR parking lot as HE"S always double parked ! Probably would forget where he parked , so double park and your cars right outside the cleaners door ...Roosevelt was president when he walked that beat, and it was Teddy not Franklin...looong time ago .. Cigarettes were 5 packs for a dollar..
Lenny Pruit
3:33 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Sheriff's officers to assist local police departments? I don't think so.
The local police departments who are overloaded with officers have salaries bigger than the sheriff's officers. This guy is dreaming. Leave the sheriff officers and the correction officers where they belong.
Robert Wiggins
10:08 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
Tezt
Robert Wiggins
10:29 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
The Sheriffs Department has many officers who are doing a great job but are not reaching their potential. Guarding doors, serving attorney papers, running xray machines and getting almost 100,000 a year. Of course they like the money but feel they are under used. Some officers have ticket books but heaven help them if they use them. Let's give the officers a chance to show Ocean County what they can do and one that will stand up to the FreeLoaders. Maybe a Sheriff who will spend the money given to him to upgrade the department and not return hundreds of thousands of dollars back to the county so he can say he doesn't need it. Their devisions need new cars because most of them show over 150000 miles. Time for change. Everything is not as usual for over 27 years!
So Much to Say
11:12 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
I'm a Republican and I'm voting for Armstrong. Why??? Because Polhemus can't go into public without a keeper, can't drive....I'm guessing Altzheimer's or Dementia. The rumor mill in OC Gov is. Gilmore and company is planning on retiring Polhemus and appointing Mastronardi. Too many of my friends work for the OC Gov and I'm not happy with this plan.
butch cassidy
9:34 am on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
also has any one checked out mr gilmores involvement with mr ritacco? runor has it ,that there is an investigation going on , we need new blood
The unknown SO
9:09 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The Sheriff should do all the policing in the county's small towns such as Bayhead, Mantaloking, Lavalette, Island Heights, Eagleswood, Pine Beach, Ocean Gate, Beachwood, South Toms River, Lakehurst, Tuckerton, All of Long Beach Island, Ocean Township and Plumsted, just to name a few. Bob Armstrong with get rid of the dead wood police departments and become the real sheriff in town.
wtf_u_say
11:44 am on Sunday, October 14, 2012
Bob Armstrong seems to have embellished his Bio. He says he was Commander at Pope AFB, yet he is a LT Col with no overseas Campaign Medals (that is why he is not a VFW member).
I have never known a Lt Col to be appointed as a Base Commander. He may have been a Squadron or Group Commander, but if so, then his Bio is a little bit misleading.
Here is the quote from his website: During the Gulf War, “Bob” was mobilized and served as Commander at Pope AFB, North Carolina.
If he was the Base Commander as a Lt Col, then he has my vote! If not, then please change the Bio so it is accurate.
"Bob" Armstrong
8:49 am on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Lt Col "Bob" Armstrong's Biography, never said he was the "Base Commander" at Pope AFB, NC. "Bob" Armstrong was the Air Force Office Special Investigations
Commander (Special Agent in Charge) during the Gulf War, supervising special
agent's deployed worldwide.
"Bob" Armstrong
8:55 am on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Lt Col "Bob" Armstrong's biography never said he was the "Base Commander at Pope AFB, NC. Colonel Armstrong was the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) Commander (Special Agent in Charge) at Pope AFB, NC, supervising special agents at home and deployed worldwide.
gene smith
3:07 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
time for a change i think.
Lori Morrison
9:12 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
No disrespect to Polhemus, but for years Wayne Rupert was running the department until he passed away. It's time for the Sheriff to retire.
butch cassidy
12:18 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
where are the new young people? come on !!yes its so time for a change...maybe a retired police officer who wants to step up..or a young republican
poppajon
6:47 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
I love Sherrif Polhemus Ive met him and He is a great guy, BUT !!! its time for a change man!, Mr Armstrong looks good to me and Im A GOP!, on the other hand If you really want a young BUCK in there, Mitch Remig should be on the ticket!!!!!!! Young and smart as a whip!!!