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Sheriff Candidate Calls for Merger of Jail, Sheriff Departments

Letter from Sheriff Candidate Bob Armstrong

 

Letter as submitted by Bob Armstrong, Ocean County Sheriff Candidate:

The county’s stable Fitch Ratings is not the whole story. The County should stop wasting thousands of taxpayers’ dollars on needless studies and do what I proposed three years ago — merge the Department of Corrections with the Sheriff’s Department. If elected in November, this will be my first priority.

The sheriff has completely mishandled his department and the costs are staggering. How can Sheriff Polhemus justify paying fifty-four of his employees, who work “inside” the office, over $100,000 each?

My proposal to merge Corrections within the Sheriff’s office will greatly reduce bloated salaries, overtime and political patronage. Other counties have done it already, and there is no justification for Sheriff Polhemus to keep the status quo here in Ocean County. The consolidation of the Sheriff’s Department and Corrections worked well for over one hundred years in Ocean County until Sheriff Polhemus was elected twenty-seven years ago. For purely political reasons, I believe, Mr. Polhemus and the freeholders created the Department of Corrections and hired a jail warden. That was wrong and I will change it.

Governor Christie has advocated consolidation and streamlining services. My proposal would accomplish that in the Sheriff’s office.

Sheriff Polhemus and the Jail Warden spent over $4 million in overtime alone in 2011. This is outrageous considering that the majority of sheriff officers perform “inside” duties.  I have proposed utilizing them for law enforcement duties “outside” for which they were trained.  Our local police departments could certainly use the help controlling traffic and public safety and I believe the sheriff’s officers would welcome the opportunity to get “outside” the office and work in real law enforcement.  As it is, we are wasting their talents.

Bob Armstrong

Candidate for Ocean County Sheriff

Related Topics: Ocean County Jail, bob armstrong, sheriff polhemus, and sheriff race

Sandy

9:08 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012

Funny " How can Sheriff Polhemus justify paying fifty-four of his employees, who work “inside” the office, over $100,000 each" Maybe he took lessons from the Toms River Mayor who deals out crony jobs like candy to his upper echelon of his Rep. Club, It's uncanny!

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Mary Lou Powner

9:50 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012

After Polhemus was chosen for the Sheriff's position...the establishment created the two departments as a sop to Ted Hutler who became the Warden. He probably should have been the one chosen for the Sheriff's position but that's not how things went.

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So Much to Say

9:59 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012

I always vote Republican, but for this election I'm voting for Bob Armstrong. The BEST man for the job! Polhemus can't do the job, he needs a keeper to help him with his day to day activities for his personal life.

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riverfest

1:34 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012

never has ocean county had more of an opportunity to do what's right than with this election. this is not about rep's or dem's . this is about the best candidate being elected to office. good luck bob - you've got my vote !

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JC

2:18 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012

sheriff officers perform “inside” duties is what they were hired for. How would you staff the "outside details" with overtime and or more officers? Good idea.. that will cost us.

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JOHNNY Done it

12:48 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

security for the courts i Agree ,,not a $100,000 secretary thats insane ,Ask the secretaries on the county payroll if they make that too...

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DAD

12:18 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Not all Sheriff Officers have "inside" jobs. There are many with jobs "outside the courthouse" everyday. They drive both marked and unmarked vehicles every day as part of their jobs not only throughout the county but even the state as well as out of state or country (Canada etc.) if necessary. But when driving if they see someone going through a red light or speeding dangerously or cutting in and out of various lanes on the parkway in dangerous manners to all innocent people driving on the road they "are NOT allowed" to pull-over the vehicles and write tickets per the Sheriff. (Even though they swear to uphold all the laws and as law enforcement officers are trained and should handle any and all illegal actions no matter how minor or major.) In this day and age with the major increases in people in this county the local & state officers could certainly use the extra eyes that see things when they aren't around to help and take care of problems. (Especially the towns that don't seem to do the traffic patrols like they used to and everyone knows which towns lets them do what they want and which towns when they cross the border they slow down in and stop blowing through the red lights. Just observe as you drive, you'll see it too.)

Sean Conneamhe

9:06 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012

"Bob Armstrong is a good candidate."

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Rufus O'Callahan

12:42 am on Friday, June 29, 2012

Why is it that Democrats in this county have so much more common sense than Republicans?

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Don Gottwerth

8:33 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

Now what you say is idiotic. Do you remember the minority woman that ran couple years ago for freeholder that couldn't handle her finances in a responsible manner yet proclaimed her qualifications to operate in Ocean County as a "chosen" freeholder? Its yes, even the Republicans who are "in for life" that cause.
the problems. Limited terms is the answer, not the leftists who compose the Dems,
a la Obama, the "anointed" one, the amateur.

Scott Neuman

9:44 am on Friday, June 29, 2012

You have to love the amount of money flowing to both parties. The working sheriffs and law enforcement get caught inbetween. Retirement is due. I'm Scott Neuman of Manchester Twp and I'm standing up for the position of Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholder. I am independent of the two party system and want to work for the citizens of Ocean County to save money and keep our AAA bond rating that according to Moodys is now at risk after four years of increased spending and county tax increases. I'm running with Tracy Caprioni and will be on the Democratic-Republician ticket in November. Read Boldtruth.com for more info.

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Danny

11:45 am on Friday, June 29, 2012

As a long time Republican, I have to admit that I can not support Polhemus this time. He is out of touch with reality and needs to be replaced. The republicans had some great canidates to choose from, but instead of doing the right thing, they let Polhemus run again so he can claim the record of being the longest serving Sheriff in the state. Good reason to keep him on board. I just hope the rest of the voting Republican will see what is going on and vote for doing the right thing and not just stick with party line.

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ballyjduf

1:44 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012

As a long time Republican also, I have to admit that I can not support Polhemus. You have to stop picking based on what party they belong to . with that said the dummies that go to the polls will elect him again .

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JOHNNY Done it

12:51 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

I have to agree Polhemus is the keeper of the skeletons in the closets until his mind goes

OC LEO

3:17 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012

My question to Mr. Armstrong: What experience do you have in running a jail?

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ballyjduf

5:27 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012

LEO Polhemus can't even find the jail

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JOHNNY Done it

12:28 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

Keep the cages locked feed them & water them....(the animals)

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Aansh Mehta

1:36 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

Mr. Armstrong has extensive experience with law enforcement of all kinds. He was a state investigator for NJ Dept. of Criminal Justice. He has also worked as a forensic accountant with the state as well. Lastly, Mr. Armstrong served as Deputy Director of Homeland Security for the Ocean County prosecutor's office. Oh and not to mention he has over three decades of experience as a Special Agent wit the U.S. Air Force.

Now you may still ask, how does that qualify him to run a jail? I believe that by working to put away all the different types of criminals you could possibly imagine for decades, Mr. Armstrong has shown that he is very qualified to run the jail where these people do their time.

River City Rover

3:21 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012

They should put the Sheriff's Office under the Department of Corrections.

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Local smokey

5:07 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012

Armstrong is just a younger (not by much) version of Polhemus. Neither knows anything about Corrections and the Corrections Department is twice the size of the SD. The big loser is the taxpayers of Ocean until we ge a competent Sheriff. The GOP should have run Mastronardy. In all candor, Armstrong has no idea what the SD does in OC. He is just another wannabe.

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Local smokey

6:09 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012

If Armstrong dif his homework he would know that Sheriff's ran all the county jails at one time and now only 6 or 7 are. It's because Sheriff's can be political hacks and jail administrators are professionals. He falls in the HACK category when it comes to corrections.

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oldsoldier

9:19 am on Saturday, June 30, 2012

I agree with consolidating positions at the top. From what I read, I must question Mr. Armstrong's knowledge of what the SD officers actually do. These fine men and women "working inside" are safeguarding our county court, and there are many who work outside too. They do support local law enforcement agencies and do a great job at it. In my opinion, anyone running for an office needs to have a clear understanding of how it works, with a clear vision of how it should work and express that vision to the voters.

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Aansh Mehta

1:43 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

I don't think that Mr. Armstrong is doubting the qualifications or the importance of those officers who work inside the department. His point is that how can Polhemus justify six figure salaries for over 50 officers?

TR Vet

1:47 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

It's too bad the Sheriff is so out of it. Any knowledgable person in LE and corrections would chew him up and spit him out. Warden Huler has forty years is experience as a police officer, undersheriff and warden. He would make toast out of Armstrong in a debate. He should be running this year.

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JOHNNY Done it

12:36 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

Lets forget party lines Take look at each ones resume Than figure out who is not In the ocean county bubble & got experience in other places...other than an Ocean County position ..the only burnt toast is the ones that are in the postions now status quo ..Why improve something they are comfortable in there positions now & step on someones toes..

JAC

5:33 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

I have know Bob Armstrong for a number of years. He is a kowledgeable, professional law enforcement official. New blood is needed for the Sheriff's Department and Bob is the right person for the job.

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Independent thinking Taxpayer

8:48 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

If he is so great and so informed he should tell us about his experience as a street cop, Sheriff's offcer or Correction Officer. He is just another smooth talking politico, who wants to double dip at the taxpayers expense. How much of the taxpayers money does he already receive for his military & FBI pensions???????

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JOHNNY Done it

12:39 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

How many pensions that your local judge is getting ? try that for disclosure , that will make you sick when you found out (one will be collecting 7)

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JerZ COP

9:02 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

As a candidate Mr. Armstrong should disclose his federal pensions that he collects. Has the Patch ever asked him about this? You should.

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oldsoldier

9:17 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

A man serves his country, risking his life to protect us here. He wants to use his military/law enforcement experience presumably to benefit us in Ocean County and all you can think of is disclosure of his pensions? How about accepting the fact that he earned them, and perhaps he will bring something else to the table like honesty and integrity. Right now I don't think he understands the roles of those in the OC or SD clearly, so he should learn them, then get back to us voters with a plan.

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Ray

12:26 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Polhemus is also collecting a pension from the Police Retirement system since he retired as SH Chief.

Independent thinking Taxpayer

9:51 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

I don't know if he is so incompetent that he can't get the facts straight or if he is just downright misleading the citizens of OceanCounty, but the fact of the matter is that the previous Sheriff Brown asked the Freeolders to take the jail. Mr. Armstrong also misleads the taxpayers when he claims that counties are merging DOC's with SD's. The facts bear out that over the past 30 years the Sheriff's have gone from running 14 jails to 7. Mr. Armstrong has proven that what claims Sheriff Polhemus to be, he is, an unknowing over the hill political hack.

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Don Gottwerth

11:00 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

As a very conservative GOPer I have to agree a change is sorely needed. I have
no confidence in the local GOP regime. Yes, PH should be relieved of his duties
snd put this man in without hesitation. He would certainly be of the Christie-type
of departmental realighnment.

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So Much to Say

12:33 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

OK so who would you rather in this office....Polhemus?????

JOHNNY Done it

12:44 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

You would think the GOP would found another person to run ,I am sure they can find one ,or They really think people are that dum to see this guy needs a helper and is not capable if driving himself to work , carrying a firearm or remember what he said 5 minutes ago.. That is an insult to every tax payer.

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oldsoldier

8:55 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

I don't know Mr. Armstrong, except that looking at his picture, he has provided a great many years of service to our country. I certainly will not discount that, nor disparage the character of a man who did a job most americans will not, but will benefit from his service. I think he deserves some consideration. That said, I repeat from my earlier comment on this. He needs to convince the voters that he understands the roles and responsibilites of each department before trying to tell us how he wants to change things.

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JerZ COP

8:58 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

He has certainly served our country well, but what does he know about running a sheriff's department or corrections department. Just from what he says its obvious that he does not know much about either job.

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oldsoldier

9:06 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

Agreed. Perhaps he and those close to him are reading these comments. Hopefully, he will work out this issue soon, and come out with a solution. If so, then maybe he can make himself a truly viable candidate.

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Wise Owl

9:33 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

What a sad state of affairs when neither man is up for the job. Armstrong disappoints for his erroneous comments. He should get his facts straight before he puts out releases. It just makes him look like a misinformed stooge of the Dems.

Miriam

11:00 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

Now is your chance!Get out and expose!On July 2-3, 2012, Lawless America...The Movie will film victims of government and judicial corruption in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey -- TownePlace Suites Mt. Laurel, 450 Business Parkway, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, 856-778-8221.

If you would like to be filmed, come tell your story for the movie. Just show up between 10 am and 6 pm, though we will probably not have openings until after 6 pm on July 2.

Also email Bill@LawlessAmerica.com with your name, address, and phone number.

http://www.lawlessamerica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=993%3Alawless-americathe-movie-new-jersey-filming-july-2-3-2012-please-come-expose-corruption&catid=133%3Alawless-america-the-movie&Itemid=105

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Geralyn

1:01 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

The current sheriff gave $42,00 overtime to a SINGLE employee. Terrible!

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Miriam

1:36 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

@Geralyn.Please, email Bill@LawlessAmerica.com with your name, address, and phone number.If you would like to be filmed, come tell your story for the movie. Just show up between 10 am and 6 pm, though we will probably not have openings until after 6 pm on July 2.If you don't wish to be filmed share your testimony anonymously,and offenders will be confronted,and questioned. I wonder how many will be caught running from the camera to be seen all over the world!On July 2-3, 2012, Lawless America...The Movie will film victims of government and judicial corruption in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey -- TownePlace Suites Mt. Laurel, 450 Business Parkway, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, 856-778-8221.The movie will expose corruption in every state. The Movie will focus on victims. Corrupt judges and corrupt government officials will be exposed, and we will confront a number of the crooks. It will be shown in theaters, on Netflix, Blockbuster, and other such video places, and the movie will be presented at the Sundance Film Festival and other film festivals.

Chief Wahoo

1:23 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

is this the public taker , who is on disability , being paid by the taxpayers and tax free ??????

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Joe R

2:14 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

After over 25 years of Ocean County suffering from Sheriff Polhemus preserving the status quo instead of continuing to improve the departments under his control, supporting political cronyism with over-zealous salaries for his employees, and burdening the citizens with thousands of dollars of unnecessary and mishandled departmental costs, it is time for Ocean County to elect a new Sheriff. After looking at each candidate, Bob Armstrong is the most qualified man to tackle the problems that plague this county. Bob Armstrong’s resume speaks for itself after spending his entire life in law enforcement in one form or another. He has new ideas on how to fix our county’s problems and has the experience how to implement these changes effectively. Candidate Bob Armstrong is the only man up to the task of being Ocean County’s Sheriff.

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Samantha

2:54 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

"Sheriff Polhemus and the Jail Warden spent over $4 million in overtime alone in 2011," that's outrageous! It's time for a new Sheriff and Bob Armstrong is the best candidate!

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Jvalentin

3:03 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

"We are wasting their talents" - Bob Armstrong. I absolutely love it! He definitely made great points in his letter! We need officers to do what they were meant to do, what they were trained to do, and what they love to do!

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Ray

12:31 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Sheriff Officers should be allowed to enforce the traffic laws when they are on patrol. Positions should be rotated so they get experience in all units in the Sheriff's Dept. Just working in the courts stymies their abilities.

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