About 100 attend sheriff candidates forum at San Juan Community Theatre; forums Wednesday on Orcas, Lopez

Detective Brent Johnson and Deputy Rob Nou want to be the next sheriff of San Juan County — the first new sheriff in 24 years. Islanders are getting several opportunities to learn more about them and grill them on the issues. About 100 people attended the Sheriff Candidates Forum presented by The Journal of the San Juan Islands, Sept. 28 in the San Juan Community Theatre’s Gubelman Theatre. Friday Harbor tinyRadio 1650 AM broadcast the forum live.

September 29, 2010 1:56 pm

Detective Brent Johnson and Deputy Rob Nou want to be the next sheriff of San Juan County — the first new sheriff in 24 years.

Islanders are getting several opportunities to learn more about them and grill them on the issues.

About 100 people attended the Sheriff Candidates Forum presented by The Journal of the San Juan Islands, Sept. 28 in the San Juan Community Theatre’s Gubelman Theatre. Friday Harbor tinyRadio 1650 AM broadcast the forum live.

The Islands’ Sounder hosts a forum for the sheriff candidates today, noon, in the Eastsound Fire Station. The Islands’ Weekly will host a forum for the sheriff candidates today, 5 p.m., in the historic Port Stanley School.

The format is simple to allow for as much interaction between residents and the candidates. After a five-minute introduction by the moderator, each candidate makes a five-minute opening statement. Then, the forum will be open to questions from the audience. Each candidate gets two minutes to respond. At the conclusion of the Q&A period, each candidate makes a five-minute closing statement.

All candidates for Congress, state House, sheriff and County Council have been invited to forums scheduled by the League of Women Voters of the San Juans: On Oct. 15, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Shaw Island; at 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday Harbor. On Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to noon, Orcas Island; 4:30-6:30 p.m., Lopez Island.

Of five candidates, Nou and Johnson were the top two vote-getters in the Aug. 17 primary and are on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

The sheriff earns $97,514 a year and manages a staff of 36 full-time employees and a budget of $2.3 million, which includes: $719,219, dispatch; $472,888, Enhanced E-911; $398,920, jail; and $209,615, Emergency Management.

Here are links to information about the candidates.

WEBSITES
— Brent Johnson: http://brentjohnsonforsheriff.blogspot.com

— Rob Nou: www.robnou4sheriff.com

VOTERS GUIDE
— Online Voters Guide

STORIES
— “Johnson says his experience is ‘what sets us apart,'” Sept. 25 SanJuanJournal.com.

— “Nou says he can ‘step in and hit the ground running’ if elected sheriff,” Sept. 17 SanJuanJournal.com.

— “What others say about the candidates for San Juan County sheriff,” Sept. 10 SanJuanJournal.com.

— “The candidates for San Juan County Sheriff: Where they differ, and don’t,” Sept. 9 SanJuanJournal.com.

— “It’s Nou and Johnson in race for San Juan County sheriff,” Aug. 19 SanJuanJournal.com.

— “Islanders meet the candidates; here’s what they said | Friday Harbor candidates forum,” July 22 SanJuanJournal.com.

— “Islanders meet the candidates; here’s what they said | Orcas Island candidates forum,” July 22 SanJuanJournal.com.

— “Five who would be sheriff: San Juan Islands will have a new top cop for the first time in 24 years,” July 7 SanJuanJournal.com.