I met Dennis Allen today and...

It is an election year is it not? I know you know that no candidate would be rude or impolite to you at this point in the race.

No I didn't expect him to be rude at all (during an election) or not. However I have met my share of insincere politicians and he did not come off as an insincere person.

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The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights, cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. - Ayn Rand

The most basic human right is the right to self defense. Those who deny the right to self defense cannot claim to be defenders of human rights - Buck Hicks

That is all well and good, Buck. And I am happy you came away with a favorable impression. However, don't mistake the wolf in sheep's clothing. At this point, IMO, it is desperation driving USDA. I still go back to the morale at the department and the words of all the deputies that work under him. I have issues with the way the department has been run for a long time now, and desperately want to see a change. After discussing this with deputies, I am convinced he is not the man for this particular position. Sorry Buck..I hope you don't think I am "smearing" him...that isn't my intent.

brammack I don't think you are smearing him. I only used those words because those were his words. Also I didn't say that he was my new best friend. I just said that I met finally got the chance to meet him and I am glad that I did. That's all.

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The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights, cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. - Ayn Rand

The most basic human right is the right to self defense. Those who deny the right to self defense cannot claim to be defenders of human rights - Buck Hicks

I also met Dennis Allen yesterday. I have had many concerns which I clearly laid out to Dennis and I have to say he did a very good job answering them. My biggest concern was employee moral, surprise surprise. Low employee moral doesn't make a very effective team or a good working environment. We don't need another Mr. Bippus in the county so I questioned him and cross questioned him as to how he handles employee issues and his general opinion on employee management. I certainly understand that one can say about anything and if you just get one side of the story everything sounds believable. I have heard a good deal here about how Dennis acts but again, one side of the story. So take some time and convince me. Dennis said he has about 80 to 85% worker support. Give me your %. I also expressed my dislike for anyone thinking he or she is better than someone else using our CM as an example. Quick story, A very successful Doctor many years ago had a good practice. A great home in a expensive area. Had a wife and Daughter. The apple of his eye but he did have a small drinking problem but not enough that others knew about it. Well the story gos like this. One day his wife and daughter were both killed in a car accident. Terrible situation and unable to cope he began drinking. Long very sad story made short. He lost everything and today lives on the street as a bum. To look at him today, many would think of themselves as better than this bum but as in his case, tomorrow it could be me or you. Life can be tough. No one is better than anyone else. Dennis didn't come off that way? My desire is to vote for the best candidate for our county. Lots of words spoken. How much Truth? Who to believe?

Who does the St Joseph County Command Staff,Road Patrol,and Corrections unions support? Brad Balk. Who does the Three Rivers,Constantine,Mendon,and White Pigeon police unions support? Brad Balk Who does the UAW support? Brad Balk. Anyone can throw out stats but these endorsements speak volumes. Ask yourself why do all these people in law enforcement support Brad Balk something must be going on for all these professionals to want a positive change.

posted by vblaine

Dennis say he has about 80 to 85% worker support.

If Dennis has support of 85% of his people why did they vote to endorse Brad Balk? Speaks volumes into his integrity if he made that comment. I have been to one of Allens public speeches were he admits Brad has the support of the unions. Which is it? I would hope anyone with common sense would be able see through that.

Blaine, for a guy who has preached so often listen to the employees, I would hope you would follow your own advise and listen to the employees of the county, of Three Rivers, of White Pigeon, of Constantine, of Mendon. You could also talk to a Trooper or Sturgis Officer, most will tell you the same thing.

"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." - Winston Churchill

BBB that's why I said convince me. I will talk to Troopers and Sturgis Officers. Employees know whats going on and they have to live daily with managements actions good or bad. It's not a pleasant atmosphere to work in when management lord over employees. Managements job is to
help employees be successful not discourage them. We need successful teams not bosses.

Since when do the unions choose who they want to lead their members? I looked at the flier that Dennis left with my wife yesterday. It has a long list of endorsements; many are management level, and retired management level individuals.

I'm still not convinced that Brad is what the county needs. After all, that is what the election is about, not who the deputies want to work for. Although they may not remember me, I knew both of these guys back in the day. If they were the only two running, I wouldn't bother to vote. I AM interested in the fact that Thyng is back in the race. While each (Brad & Dennis) are trying to run Karl Rove type campaigns (allowing their friends and supporters to say the things that candidates can't), the others have an opportunity to rise to the level of actual contender.

Cuzimrite, Who is Thyng and can you tell us a little about him?

OK here's a concern. I understand from a very reliable source that sometime early May there will be signs coming out that say (Anybody but Allen) Brad will deny any responsibility for these signs BUT the one financing the signs is on Brads committee and Brad knows about these signs. If it's true or not, I guess we can wait and see!!! Were Watching !!!

All I know is that Mike Thyng dropped out of the race, and his family was upset that they weren't consulted, so they told him to re-enter the race. This is after he had been thanked for running the more positive campaign by other candidates. This could be enough for me to make a decision for the county, and not the employees that would serve under him.

Perhaps some of the deputies here on-line could fill in some blanks.

Since someone mentioned signs I have my own sign Truth not story. Let me say that again this is a true fact I am about to post. I had gotten permission from a past employer to have a Brad Balk sign put on his property which is in a high traffic area. This sign has been there showing support for Brad for a little while now. Just recently a Allen for Sheriff sign is now near the Brad Balk sign. My good friend who is the supervisor for my former employer went to the boss and asked if he knew about the Allen sign. The employer said no no one had asked him to put it on his property. My friend said he was going to take the sign down when the employer told him to just leave it he was afraid that there may be retaliation if the sign came up missing. Now I know we have all seen signs in front of abandoned lots,closed gas stations, etc. and I have asked myself I bet they didn't get permission to put a sign there. Now I have factual proof of at least one sign that the Allen campaign has put out without permission I just wonder how many more, we will never know because like my former employer most citizens are non confrontational and will just leave a sign up even though no one had given them permission. In my own opinion this is completely unethical and immoral.

Vblainev/Cuzimrite- You two must be really close friends, I mean we already know that CUZ likes to start rumors; he already admitted that he feeds off the drama. Vblainev your comment about the Anybody but Allen signs makes me Laugh out loud; I mean if you really know Brad like you say you do; would he really endorse this? I think not. Your "Reliable Source" is probably anything but reliable. Just a thought- so lets hear it.

Like minds are not a crime. I've never met Blaine (if that is his real name), but I can see from his writing that he doesn't have that "cops' mentality".

...and what rumors have I started??? I'm not that worried what anyone thinks of me or the things I believe in. My on-line name says why. I'm not the one that carries on a cowardly act of posting anonymously.