Deputies endorse Guimont

Carson City sheriff's deputies have endorsed Bob Guimont for sheriff.

Of 48 votes cast, Tom Janas, president of the the 60-member Carson City Sheriff's Protective Association, said 36 were in support of Guimont, a deputy sheriff. Nine votes requested the association remain neutral in the election and three votes were cast for Chief Sheriff's Deputy Scott Burau.

Sheriff Rod Banister is not seeking reelection, and there are five candidates for sheriff, three of whom are sheriff's department employees.

"We're not going to be endorsing any other people," Janas said. "We're going to concentrate our efforts on endorsement of Bob Guimont."

The Sheriff's Supervisory Association, comprised of deputies with the rank of sergeant or higher, opted "pretty resoundingly" not to endorse a candidate in the election, said that group's president, Sgt. Bob Gautschi.

Janas said the deputies were swayed by Guimont's "attitude toward the department" and promise of obtaining more law enforcement grants that will put more officers on the streets. Deputies are concerned about their salaries and retention of officers, Janas said.

"He has ideas about what he wants to do with the department and what he wants to do for us," Janas said. "He just seems like he would be a good person to work for."

Guimont said he was "excited and honored" by the endorsement of his peers.

"The deputies demand a lot, as the citizens do," Guimont said. "They're friends; I work with them. They're demanding, and they like to see things followed through with. They see problems both internally and on the street. They see there can be an end to it. The situation can be better. They are looking someone to help them."

"I will work very hard to follow through with their demands and wishes to see this community be a safer place with an agency (that) actually addresses the citizen's concerns rather than just giving them lip service."

Janas said he hopes voters look on the endorsement as a "positive thing."

"The deputies are behind this guy, so he must be OK," Janas said.

Candidate Wayne Fazzino, an investigator for the attorney general, said the deputies vote "sends another message."

"That Scott Burau's not doing his job," Fazzino said. "It's the same thing everybody's saying all along. They're are supporting one of their own (rather than) one of those administrative staffs. I'm glad the deputies are taking a stand. They're standing up for themselves. I'm glad to see they're at least supporting somebody as a group."

Burau, who said he didn't ask to be endorsed, said he doesn't think endorsements are appropriate. As a manager, he said he often has "to make decisions that aren't always popular," and he said he understands that could translate to a lack of support. He said encouraged deputies not to make an endorsement.

"I've been through six elections, I know how it works," Burau said. "It's difficult at best. They come to work every day of the week and choose up sides. When the election is done with, and the dust settles, no matter who wins, these people have to come back and work shoulder to shoulder. It's counterproductive. It creates strained relationships."

Sheriff's Detective Richard Mendoza, a candidate and member of the protective association, said he doesn't think the association should be voting on political issues, and their support of a candidate shows "they're looking to protect themselves."

Mendoza said he and other candidates knew the association would back Guimont. Like Burau, Mendoza said he didn't particularly want the associations support because "then you feel obligated to them."

Ken Furlong, an investigator with the Nevada Division of Investigations, said he anticipated the deputies would support Guimont because of his "association with the deputies." Furlong said voters could read into the endorsement "what they may," but said it could signify "the rank and file may well be ready to accept some changes in the department administration."