JOURNAL QUESTIONS
1. Explain why you are running for sheriff and what you see as the biggest issues for the sheriff’s office.
WHITEHEAD: I am running for Sheriff of Los Alamos County because I have witnessed the systematic defunding and dismantling of the office since May 2016. The occurrence of violent crime within Los Alamos County is represented at much lower levels than what is reported to the state. We need a sheriff that is not only willing, but also capable or restoring the rule of law in this county … . There’s a sheriff in town!
WHITE: I love Los Alamos. The best way I can give back is doing what I know. Despite a District Court order, the County Council still refuses to allow a functional sheriff, let alone a department. Eventually, they will have to give in or go to jail. The re-establishment of a sheriff’s department is best accomplished by a person with experience in law enforcement, knowledge of statutes, and office management and supervisory experience. Please visit greg4sheriff.com.
LUCHINI: I’m running for sheriff of Los Alamos County to ensure that there will be a person in that office who believes that there should be an elected representative of law enforcement/peacekeeping in the county, and who will be able to effectively interact with the County Council and the state Legislature to adjust to the future court rulings that will define the role of sheriff in the county. The anticipated appellate court/Supreme Court ruling on the status of the sheriff is the only real issue for the sheriff in this county.
GRANVILLE: I am running because, in my business, I have to be able to work with people. This job at this time needs a person committed to clearly defining the role of sheriff, a person willing to do the hard work of collaboration and relationship building.
2. Why is the Los Alamos County Sheriff’s Office needed, necessary or a practical use of tax dollars, given that the Los Alamos Police Department provides law enforcement for the county?
WHITEHEAD: The function of the Los Alamos County Sheriff’s Office is to execute any civil action, enforce the laws of the state and ordinances of the county, and to follow diligently all orders of the courts of competent jurisdiction, and to serve those orders under the law in a proper and timely manner. These duties and powers are separate and apart from those of the Police Department. This subject has been misrepresented for far too long.
WHITE: The police should do the policing. My priorities as sheriff are ending child suicide and protecting children from sexual predators. We have the most rights of any nation. Especially electing those who serve us, including law enforcement. The court stated a sheriff does state functions and cannot be done away with or diminished. If people want one department, it has to be led by elected law enforcement. State law requires sheriffs to attend a law enforcement academy.
LUCHINI: The LA Sheriff’s Office is needed because the residents of LA County deserve to have an elected representative of law enforcement in this county. The coexistence of a sheriff’s office and the police department doesn’t require any extra costs if the duties of the respective offices are chosen to be non-duplicative.
GRANVILLE: Judge Mathew has decided that the office will remain. The key now is to assure that the scope of the sheriff’s office is clearly defined. I don’t think a police department headed by an elected sheriff is a good idea. Law enforcement — like the fire department — should be free of political influence.
3. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?
WHITEHEAD: No.
WHITE: No.
LUCHINI: No.
GRANVILLE: Never been subject to tax liens.
4. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?
WHITEHEAD: No.
WHITE: Yes. In 1987, I was employed at very low pay for a long time when I first got out of the Air Force and filed chapter 7 discharge bankruptcy that was granted in 1988.
LUCHINI: No.
GRANVILLE: Never been involved in bankruptcy.
5. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony?
WHITEHEAD: I have never been charged with drunken driving or any felony.
WHITE: Yes. I’m human,
I’ve made some bad decisions in life. I’ve never committed a felony. I’ve never committed any misdemeanor that would disqualify me from being a law enforcement officer in any state. I have never been denied a job requiring an extensive criminal background check. I hope people appreciate my frank honesty. In 1994, the DA dismissed a charge of battery when she determined the complainant was lying and no altercation occurred. I was never told their reason for making it up. In 1999, I plead guilty to a misdemeanor DWI that occurred on Sept. 10, 1998. My breath test was a .13 when .10 was the limit. In 2004, I had a misdemeanor reckless driving. I never rush anywhere now. If I’m late, I’m late. In 2009, at 2 in the morning, while I slept, I was accused of banging on a neighbor’s door. My boss would not give me time off to go to court, so I had to have a friend enter a no contest plea for me to Disturbing the Peace.
LUCHINI: No.
GRANVILLE: Never been arrested, charged or convicted of any misdemeanor or felony.