FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5
Opinion
Baker County Sheriff candidates—in their own words
— Guest Opinions —
By Travis Ash
Special to The Baker County Press
By John Hoopes
Special to The Baker County Press
I am running for Sheriff to keep Baker
County a safe and peaceful place to live,
work, visit, and raise families. I am hon-
ored to have spent my career committing
myself to the safety of the public I serve
through the law enforcement profession.
I work hard to protect our county and I
have the experience, training, integrity,
and dedication critical to maintaining the
professionalism and effectiveness of the
Baker County Sheriff’s Office.
I am a law enforcement veteran with
over 20 years of practical experience.
Rising through the ranks at the Sheriff’s
Office, I’ve served as Deputy, Detective,
Sergeant, Lieutenant, and now Sheriff – a
position I was unanimously appointed to
by all three county commisioners in 2015.
As Sheriff, I’m responsible for overall
operations including: Parole/Probation,
Patrol, Jail, Search and Rescue, and
management of an over 2 million dollar
budget.
I’ve served as supervisor/lead investiga-
tor on several important cases, represented
the Sheriff’s Office on the Interagency
Major Crime Team, and testified as an ex-
pert witness on multiple occasions. I have
conducted active shooter preparedness
training for county employees and drug
awareness training for local community
members. During the past two summers,
I successfully coordinated evacuation
efforts for three major wildfires. Deputies
know I am both willing and able to work
alongside them in any situation.
I am a 1993 graduate of Pine Eagle
High School in Halfway. Last year I was
proud to complete my Bachelor of Science
degree from Eastern Oregon University. I
began my career in 1995 as an OSP Cadet
and Reserve Deputy in Wallowa County. I
served the City of Prineville from 1998-
2005 in a variety of capacities including:
Patrol Officer, Detective, School Resource
Officer, Armorer, Defensive Tactics In-
structor, Mounted Patrol Unit, Presidential
Security Detail, SWAT, and Field Training
Officer.
I hold DPSST Management Certifica-
tion, have completed over 2100 law
enforcement training hours, and am a
certified Drug Recognition Expert. I’ve
received advanced training in: Firearms,
Incident Command Systems, Executive
Leadership, Sexual Assault Investigations,
Working with Trauma Victims, Child
Abuse, Forensic Interviewing, and High
Risk Situations.
Since taking office I re-instituted the
Community Corrections Work Crew,
increased efficiency through employee
cross-training, and added jobs to the Sher-
iff’s Office at no additional cost to Baker
County. I’ve standardized our employee
evaluation process and increased training
opportunities for professional develop-
ment of personnel. I maintain a fiscally
I love Baker County.
I was born and raised here—it is where
my ancestors set root and the place where
I raised my own children. It is my heri-
tage, my home.
I turned 50 years old this year. It seems
like when you mature, you start to get a
bit more reflective on your life.
As I look back at my 16 years of law
enforcement, I can honestly say, the op-
portunity to serve the people of Baker
County as a Sheriff’s Deputy has been one
of the most rewarding experiences of my
life.
Of course, my endeavor wasn’t an easy
one; but I persevered, and after several ap-
plication attempts to various law enforce-
ment agencies, Sheriff Terry Speelman
provided me the opportunity to join the
Sheriff’s Reserve Program.
Because of Sheriff Speelman’s gener-
osity and trust in me to do my best, my
volunteer efforts enabled me to gain expe-
rience as a temporary parole and probation
officer, a corrections deputy, and eventu-
ally a Sheriff’s Patrol Deputy.
Today, looking at all those yellow signs
adorning the properties of so many Baker
County residents, I can honestly say, the
reason I want to be Sheriff—is for the
people.
Between 1986 and 1991, I served my
country as United States Marine, report-
ing to 2nd Battalion 5th Marine Division.
Upon arrival at the most decorated bat-
talion in the United States Marine Corps,
I was invited to serve in S-2, Surveillance
and Target Acquisition Platoon (STA
Platoon), which was the reconnaissance
of the Battalion. S-2, STA Platoon, was
military intelligence requiring a secret
clearance.
During my time in the military, I was
trained to complete my mission, to do the
best job I could do without complaint,
never losing sight of my goal.
I learned to cooperate and work to-
gether as a team, paying close attention
to detail as one small mistake could cost
someone their life.
As Marines, we worked together as a
team and were trained leaders who earned
respect and rank through motivation and
intuitiveness.
Throughout my life, I have held tight to
that deep sense of responsibility and integ-
rity that was taught to me in the military.
To this day, I work with pride know-
ing that what ever the work conditions
or pressures are; I face them with com-
mitment, determination and strength to
complete the task with honor.
I am honest and respectful with those I
encounter and I am not afraid to share my
thoughts when I feel changes need to be
made.
Approximately five years ago, I made
a decision to run for Sheriff in the 2016
Submitted Photo
Travis Ash is the incumbent Baker
County Sheriff.
conservative approach to managing the
budget, using grant monies and leveraging
resources when available to supplement
county funds.
I believe community partnerships,
relationships built on mutual trust, and
teamwork within the organization of the
Sheriff’s Office are essential to providing
a high level of public safety service. I’m
proud to have a good working relationship
with local citizens and organizations, as
well as the other law enforcement agen-
cies who operate in our area. It is my
belief that we must work together for the
peace and safety of our county.
I’ve been active in outreach with area
schools as a job shadow and senior project
mentor, guest speaker, drug awareness
educator, and emergency preparedness
advisor. I have been an instructor for the
Reserve Academy and a guest speaker
for NRA classes. I serve on the board
for New Directions Northwest, Baker
County’s mental health provider. In my
personal life I am a parent-volunteer for
my children’s schools and other activities
and a member of the local Lions Club. I
am an avid outdoorsman and dedicated
family man. My wife, Katie, and I have
been married 20 years and have two
school-age children.
My commitment to the people of Baker
County is to provide the best law enforce-
ment and public safety service possible
while being responsive to community
needs. The Baker County Sheriff’s posi-
tion is non-partisan. I am not affiliated
with any political party and I will not be
persuaded by anyone representing a par-
ticular political agenda to change the way
I will deliver the most fair and equitable
services of law enforcement.
I support the Constitution of the United
States of America and the Constitution of
the State of Oregon.
I respect the rights of all people while
upholding the law with firmness and
integrity.
I’m honored to serve as your Sheriff and
I’m asking for your vote on November
8th.
Submitted Photo
Deputy John Hoopes is challenging
Ash for the Sheriff’s position.
election.
Back then; I was discouraged by the
management practices and spending of the
past administration.
Today, my opinion still holds true.
As an employee and President of the
Law Enforcement Association, I can see
how department drive and morale has
depleted, how many of our employees
lacked necessary training and how the of-
fice structure was in dire need of security
updates and maintenance.
I have watched how the Sheriff’s Of-
fice has been operated by a Sheriff with
a passive approach to the public, whose
management system provided “special-
ized” training for only a select few.
The idea that our Deputies were only
trained and educated to meet State stan-
dards and not exceed them meant that our
citizens were not getting the law enforce-
ment or protection they were paying for.
I believe the Sheriff is a representa-
tive of the people he serves and should
work “with and for” the citizens of Baker
County and his employees, not just hold
title and collect a paycheck.
I also believe in respect for position.
The Sheriff should inspire and encour-
age his employees and those around him
to better themselves, to reach for a higher
plane and seek promotion; not inhibit or
mock their desire for self-improvement.
In my career, I have made it a priority to
treat people with respect and to communi-
cate with and listen to each person, openly
and honestly, regardless of the situation or
time of day.
As Sheriff, I will continue this practice
to be sincere, open minded and approach-
able to those I work with and to the public
I serve.
My goal is to serve Baker County with
honor and respect, to work side by side
with those who live and work here—to
lead by example, to create more leaders.
I hope you will join me in my endeavor;
I look forward to working with you in
2017.
I humbly ask for your vote on November
8th.
— Letters to the Editor —
1-74 proponent made false statement
To the Editor:
Michele Kaseberg, technically one of the three chief
petitioners who put this measure back on the ballot for
the second year in a row; stated on the Baker County
Republican Parties’ Facebook page, “this measure is
important to the livelihood of our county.” She made this
statement on a post which hosts one of the educational
videos about the nonpartisan issue. When Ms. Kaseberg
was asked what she meant by this statement, there was no
answer? I am wondering why this statement was made?
What does she mean? Or is this just scare tactic wording
aimed at the uninformed voter?
Whether measure 1-74 passes or fails this time around,
this measure does not affect the “livelihood” of the coun-
ty. It does affect the transparency of county government
and the transparency of our elected County Commission-
ers. Again, why would any voter want to know less about
who they are voting for? Measure 1-74, if passed will
cloak the core beliefs of the candidates and mess up our
replacement process in the case of resignation or death of
a commissioner.
The Baker County Republican Party voted unanimously
to oppose Measure 1-74, just as they did last year when
it came before the voters in May of 2015, and it failed
then. Please join me in putting down this measure for the
second year in a row. Please vote no on Measure 1-74.
Keith Jones
Bridgeport
I disagree with Hoopes supporters
To the Editor:
Reading some of the letters written by those support-
ing Hoopes for Sheriff I am concerned that some of their
statements and implications regarding Sheriff Ash are
false. In particular, some seem to think that the Sheriff
has supported what the writers infer is “illegal” actions
on the part of the federal government.
Sheriff Ash, like all law enforcement officers, is obli-
gated through his oath of office to support and defend the
Constitution of the United States, laws, and the decisions
of the Courts. The failure of any law enforcement officer
to do so is grounds for removal from office and, poten-
tially, criminal prosecution. Sheriff Ash has at no time
violated his oath of office and I have no concerns that he
will ever do so.
Some have criticized Sheriff Ash for the assistance
the Baker County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) provided to
the Sheriff of Harney County during the incident at the
Malheur Wildlife Refuge. That assistance was provided
under mutual aid agreements in place involving law
enforcement throughout the State. It is worthy of note
that BCSO’s primary role in that incident was to protect
the residents of Burns, Oregon. Those uninvolved citizens
had in many cases been threatened by those who came in
from out of the area. BCSO’s presence was in the City of
Burns, not at the Refuge.
Some seem to believe that they, and the person they
support for Sheriff, can selectively interpret the law to
suit their own political philosophy. Under our form of
government that is a false belief. Sheriff Ash understands
that, and that is why his track record is one of supporting
the Constitution, not someone’s erroneous beliefs regard-
ing it. Sheriff Ash is the most qualified candidate for the
Office of Sheriff and deserves your vote.
Jerry Boyd
Baker City
I worked with Travis Ash
To the Editor:
Sheriff Travis Ash is a selfless leader whose character
and commitment to others helped shape me not only as a
police officer, but also as a person. Travis’ integrity, ser-
vice, and proven leadership are second to none and below
are just a few of the many ways he has had a profound
effect on my life.
Mentor: I am currently a Detective with the Bend
Police Department and have known Sheriff Ash since
2002, where I was quite fortunate to have him as my first
training officer after being hired as a new police officer.
It was there that Travis instilled in me the importance of
truly serving a community and keeping it safe.
Whether it was a domestic violence or abuse victim, or
a hardened criminal, Travis taught me how to really treat
people with dignity, compassion, respect, and profession-
alism.
A Dedicated Servant: Sheriff Ash is a public servant
who will put the community’s well- being ahead of all
else.
I remember being on vacation and seeing that Travis,
along with the Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Chris
Hawkins, had literally rescued Doris Anderson from the
Wallowa Mountains, saving her life after locating her
even after the official search had been called off. This
was not an outlier of Travis’ service oriented mentality,
but really a continuance of his innate mission to help
others.
Leadership / Integrity: Sheriff Ash has always been a
role model to me. Throughout my career, I have spoken
to Travis many times to seek his trusted advice.
Travis has the ability to lead during times of chaos,
be a part of the solution and not the problem, and set the
example for others to follow. Observing Travis lead from
the front, coupled with his historical and current focus on
community and family surely molded my view of what a
leader in law enforcement should be.
I can’t thank you enough, Travis. I could not support a
better person to be your Sheriff.
Pat Hartley
Bend