Resignation best for undersheriff position
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To the people of Lake County: It has been my privilege to serve the people of Lake County as their undersheriff; however, I have given Sheriff Jay Doyle my letter of resignation, and he has accepted it.
My reason for leaving is simple: at this time, I am no longer the best man for the job. When I accepted the position of Lake County Undersheriff, I was assigned the traditional duties of an undersheriff — largely the day-to-day supervision of the law enforcement officers. With my many years of law enforcement experience, I have the requisite skills and qualifications, and I knew that I was the best man for the job. However, over the past months, it has become increasingly clear to me that the office would be better served if the position of undersheriff were restructured. Part of this restructuring would require an undersheriff with much stronger skills and experience in human resources than I currently possess. It wasn’t my intention to remodel my job into one I wasn’t suited for, but I can see that this would be best for the office, and ensuring that what needs to be done gets done is more important than ensuring that I’m the man doing it. I’ve had many discussions with the sheriff, and we did discuss training options, but in the end, I have decided that I am not comfortable continuing in a job where I would have to acquire my skills at taxpayer expense. Part of my decision is based on the knowledge that there is already someone within the office who possesses the necessary skills. Therefore, on Feb. 14, Lake County Sheriff’s Detective Dan Yonkin will take over as undersheriff in my stead, and it is my belief that he will do an excellent job for the people of Lake County.
It is no secret that the Sheriff’s Office is going through a difficult time. Rumors of officer wrongdoing continue to be rehashed despite the fact that the election is long past and that, like Elvis, previous administrations have left the building. I am greatly saddened to see that the reputations of the outstanding men and women who protect and serve the people of Lake County have been damaged through the spiteful mud-slinging of an unhappy minority who have allowed their personal agendas to ride roughshod over their loyalty and good sense.
I will continue to support the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Jay Doyle and Undersheriff Dan Yonkin. It is my hope that the citizens of Lake County will do the same.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve and protect. It has been an honor.
