Sheriff Watch: Search to fill county sheriff’s term has begun
By Rae KrugerThe search to temporarily replace Lyon County Sheriff Joel Dahl who will retire on Sept. 30 has started.
County administrator Loren Stomberg said ads have been posted in local newspapers, the Association of Minnesota Counties Web site and a law enforcement membership Web site.
The county will accept applications until Sept. 12, Stomberg said.
Dahl has been sheriff for six years and will have two years left on his second term when he retires.
State law requires the county to appoint a person to fill the elected sheriff's term.
Applicants do not have to live in the county to be the appointed sheriff for two years, Stomberg said. The appointed sheriff must live in the county if he decides to run for election.
The county board will review applicants.
"We will go through the applicants and see who to interview for the position, see who matches the qualifications," Stomberg said.
The county board will interview applicants and appoint a temporary sheriff, Stomberg said.
"It is an elected position and it's only proper the elected officials on the board do that," Stomberg said.
Stomberg wants the position filled by Dahl's retirement.
If the board does not make a decision before Dahl retires, the chief deputy, Mark Mather, would fill the temporary role until a sheriff is appointed, Stomberg said.
It's typical for counties to also appoint the chief deputy as the temporary sheriff when an elected term needs to be completed, Stomberg said.
"Usually, it's the chief deputy but that's not guaranteed," Stomberg said.
Dahl will retire after 31 years with Lyon County. He cited his concerns about possible changes in the county's health benefit package for retirees as one of the major reasons to retire.
County employees hired before 1997 with at least 25 years of experience have a lifetime health insurance package when they retire that could cost the county at least $12 million to fund, county officials said.
rkruger@marshallindependent.com
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Nortland
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10-02-08 9:30 AM
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Watchfulleye; If its all true, no I don't think anybody of that type should be in law enforcement. I wasn't there to see it nor asked to investigate it. I cannot just blindly take your word for it either. Regardles the public will have to sufice until election time. Not much can be done until then.
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Watchfulleye
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09-30-08 11:29 PM
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Franks. So you think its funny that the new Sheriff starts out with a pass history of being a back stabbing, lying, falsifying logs to the state, lying during an investigation by the state, covering up a DUI, You want me to give the name? Ask Nortland he should know. And Nortland you think the public and the LCSO should support him. The man should be put in jail. He should not have been put in charge. He should have been charged with a crime. Withholding evidence, Falsifying Public records, You want more. I can see where your comming from. You might want to get a Job with the Sheriff someday and move back to Marshall. Right.
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FrankS
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09-29-08 9:31 PM
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I think it is funny that there are people on here with seemingly inside knowledge about people in the department. I really wish there would be some names listed so you can be held accountable for your statements. Its people like watchfulleye dogman and others that sit behind their computer typing there little statements and think they are making a difference. Are you the same type of people that will call names behind someones back and be ever so nice to their face. Good luck to the applicants.
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Nortland
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09-27-08 5:09 PM
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And Watchful the name is Sletten...
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Nortland
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09-27-08 5:05 PM
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To go to the flip side... The only one I know is Brian Gadd, out of the 6 selected. Brian has always been very personable and I'm hoping he's selected. However, if Mather is chosen, its because he's already there and should have the public and LCSO's support for the next 2 years. After that its up for grabs. Perhaps by then I'll have taken my reciprocity and moved back home to run for office myself. Until then I will be a deputy in So MO.
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Nortland
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09-27-08 5:00 PM
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I can certainly tell you I am not Mather but I did apply and was one of the 5 not chosen, simply because I'm in Missouri. The chance of my life time arose I applied and wasn't selected. Oh well. I am a native of Marshall, my dad was a captain in the Marshall MSP office for a long time... if you don't know me its OK. What I said before isn't anything for or against anybody. Im a straight talker and do what I say I will.
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Watchfulleye
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09-25-08 12:57 PM
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Well It paid off for Mather's kissing backsides and walking the street for Fenske during elections. It sound like the county administrator is in the same bed. So much for equal opportunities employee. But this is not a surprise. But Mather is not in there yet? When you lie and deceive, the public will find out. God knows now. Right Nortland/ Mather
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John240
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09-17-08 3:48 PM
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I am surprised that the Marshall independent allows such comments to be posted anonymously on their web site. The Law Enforcement community is supposed to be a brotherhood. If an individual dose not likes the Chief Deputy or anybody else they can express their opinions respectfully.
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Nortland
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09-11-08 7:08 PM
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Oh yes and before I forget... Not everybody gets to the top because they kissdatukas. Some do get there by being a solid, hard working, dependable worker. I would be talking from experience too. I don't know Mr Mather but there has to be something about him that Sheriff Dahl wanted him as his second. I do know the Sheriff and he has always been a good guy when I've had the chance to speak with him. I'd like to see somebody that is very dependable and determined to do the best job that anybody could ask of such a person and will be there for the staff and public 24/7. I think the county could use somebody like that...
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Nortland
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09-11-08 6:18 PM
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There's a substantial line between being a politician and an effective cop/sheriff. I have seen both sides at times. Sometimes you do what you have to do. I don't like butt kissers because they generally are only for themselves. One that does it for the good of a the group is ok tho. Think a proven professional is the goal here. BUT it may not happen that way. The commissioners will have their headache to find an equal to Sheriff Dahl. Bottom line is, whomever is chosen should have the department's & communities support & in two years, if they don't like him or her don't vote for a full 4 yr term.
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Jojo316
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09-07-08 1:20 PM
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also please don't take my comments as if I want Mark Mather to be appointed. I wish everyone the best of luck
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Jojo316
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09-07-08 1:13 PM
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No I don't think kissing butt is the way to the top. But the Sheriff's position is an elected official. SO its a policital position. What do politicians do best....kiss butt. From reading all these comments, I would guess some of the Sheriffs department employees are giving their two cents. So instead of hinting at contraversy, spell it out to us. What do you know? dogman or Watchfulleye
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dogman
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09-06-08 6:26 PM
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They can fix all this, by not appointing Mathers.
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aaa111
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09-04-08 8:02 PM
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I was not saying that Mather should get the job, I'm just saying I don't condone all the mud slinging in the public eyes,as certain dirty laundry needs to be kept within the 4 walls of an agency. If one does not want to see Mather get the position you should be contacting the commissioner's and those are the ones you should be informing of the inproprieties and misdeeds of possible candidates. They are the ones that will be doing the appointing for the position and hopefully the commissioner's will inform the new Sheriff of the existing problems within the department so they can take proper action to resolve the underlying issues when they take office.
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Watchfulleye
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09-04-08 11:17 AM
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aaa111. The true should not be heard. The word demeaning don't even come close to descripting what has taken place in the Sheriff's Dept. It's not the officers, It's not politics, It's the administration. It's the employment process. It's not how well an officer completes his duties. It's who's A-- you kiss and how you keep the criminal acts and mistakes made by the administration in the closet. The public has no idea what has taken place at the Lyon County Sheriff's Dept.in the passed few years. aaa111. If you really care why don't you ask some questions? Instead of smoothing it over. Question like, covering up DUI's, Hit and runs comitted by the past Sheriff. Cell phone useage by other then employee's, It appears you may be one of them? INDO1. You hit the nail right on the head. Thanks.
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Watchfulleye
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09-04-08 10:37 AM
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JoJo316. So your saying kissing up to the Boss is the best way to get to the top and this makes you qualified for the Sheriff's position? Now we all know who you are and how you got there.
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Nortland
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09-02-08 8:44 PM
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I cant agree more.
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aaa111
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09-02-08 6:29 PM
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I would like to say how demeaning all these comments have become. If administration and fellow officers cannot respect each other how in the world can the general public respect you. Unforunately this is underlying factor when your dealing with politics, one will sell you short to make themselves look better and not worrying about the damage it creates to the department for years to come. Whoever gets the Sheriff's position will have enough work to do without having to repair such comments and activities being displayed.
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Watchfulleye
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09-02-08 6:10 PM
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It true Mark Mather has no idea how to operate the Lyon County Sheriff's Dept. We need a honest person with business skills. Mark Mather does not fit this criteria.
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Nortland
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09-01-08 9:50 PM
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I suspect an excellent choice / replacement will come from out of the area but will be overlooked
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dogman
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08-29-08 10:54 PM
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Jojo316 is obviously in Mather's back pocket. I am from the outside, looking in.
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Jojo316
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08-29-08 8:49 PM
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Boy dogman did I strike a nerve. I didn't say he should have the job. Most of the deputies here now are very young, and the deputy that fell asleep, he should be fired. Falling asleep during a trail that caought the national media's attention makes the Lyon County Deputies look foolish.
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Jojo316
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08-29-08 8:48 PM
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Boy dogman did i strike a nerve. I didn't say he should have the job. Most of the deputies now are very young, and the deputy that fell asleep, he should be fired. Falling asleep during a trail that caought the nation media's attention makes the Lyon County Deputies look foolish.
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dogman
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08-29-08 8:18 PM
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Jojo316, you are so out of touch with the sheriff's dept. To think Mather's is quilfied to be the next sheriff, is absolutely dumb, and you talk about a deputy falling sleep during the Franco trial, due to the fact that you are busy watching the other deputy's, do you watch and see how many times Mather' has fell asleep or dozed off in his office? Mather's hasn't earn one spot in the Sheriff's Office, he has kiss butt to get where he is today, he sure hasn't earned it.and Jojo to call the other deputy's "baby's, you haven't looked at Mather's lately have you, he's still looks and acts like one.
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INDY01
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08-29-08 10:33 AM
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For the sake of Lyon County,I hope ALL applicants are considered before appointing the under sheriff.The only thing he is qualified for is causing hate and discontent within the LEC.To have him appointed Sheriff of Lyon County for even 2 years would be a complete tragedy.Lyon County needs a respected and trusted Sheriff to follow in Sheriff Dahl's footsteps,no way is Mark Mather the answer.
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