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John L. Bell Jr.
Party Democrat
Residence Virginia Beach
Personal Born in Brooklyn, N.Y.; 57 ; married, two sons and two grandsons
Education Master’s of public administration, Troy University, 2008; bachelor’s in administration of justice, Saint Leo University, 1995; associate’s degree, liberal arts and criminal justice, Saint Leo University, 1992; Law Enforcement Administration Officer Training, Southern Policy Institute at the University of Louisville, 1998; Professional Executive Leadership School, University of Richmond, 1997
Occupation Commander, Virginia Beach Police Department Professional Standards Office
Experience Has served in the Police Department for more than 33 years, including as commanding officer of the First Precinct and the Detective Bureau
Other Tidewater Community College Administration of Justice Curriculum Advisory Board; member, American Society of Public Administration; member, Virginia Beach Gang Task Force; member, Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church; member, Hampton Road Committee of 200+ Men.
Contact (757) 802-0404; electbelln2009@yahoo.com; www.johnbell4sheriff.com
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1. The sheriff’s office is a public safety organization, and I am hoping citizens will agree that it should be led by a career public safety administrator, not a career politician. I have dedicated my career to keeping the citizens safe from crime by putting criminals in jail. I want to use that same commitment as the next sheriff by keeping violent offenders behind bars. I have extensive law enforcement leadership experience which includes commanding police precincts and the Detective Bureau. I have also spent much of my career preparing to assume leadership of a public safety organization. I want to work with our community to reduce the incidence of criminal behavior thereby improving the quality of life for our citizens.
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2. Tough fiscal times will require tough decisions. I would propose a hiring freeze on all vacant positions until further notice. The savings realized by this effort could be substantial. Nonessential training, services or facility improvements could be curtailed to reduce the expenses. I would do everything in my power to make any possible elimination of positions a last resort. I would explore savings that could be realized by requiring all employees including myself to take short unpaid furloughs as a means of reducing salary costs.
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3. A recent forum pointed to the increase in gang activity in our city as a major challenge facing law enforcement and our citizens. As a past member of the Virginia Beach Gang Task Force and the commanding officer of the Detective Bureau for five years, I witnessed firsthand the violence and criminal activity that accompanies gangs. The sheriff’s office needs to become more involved with our community in identifying strategies to keep our young people from the grips of gangs and our citizens from becoming the victims of gang violence. Currently, our Correctional Center houses many people who are also mentally ill. I propose more training for deputies in how to interact with those inmates as well as improved mental health treatment for inmates.
Kenneth W. Stolle
Party Republican
Residence Virginia Beach
Personal Born in Washington, D.C.; 55 ; married, three children
Education Bachelor’s degree, interdisciplinary studies in criminal justice, Berry College, 1975; Virginia Law Reader Program, 1983; Virginia State Bar, 1983
Occupation Senator and Republican Leader Pro Tempore, Virginia General Assembly; attorney, Kaufman & Canoles Virginia Beach office
Experience Served in the Virginia Beach Police Department from 1976-1987 as a patrol officer, narcotics detective, SWAT Team leader and Tactical Team sergeant; former special agent assisting with foreign counter-intelligence, Naval Investigative Service, U.S. Naval Reserve
Other Former chair, Virginia Beach Republican Party; Hunters for the Hungry Advisory Committee; lifetime member, Fraternal Order of Police
Contact (757) 486-5700; info@stolleforsheriff.com ; www.stolleforsheriff.com
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1. I am best qualified based on my experience as a police officer, police supervisor, legislator, Naval intelligence officer and attorney. My leadership abilities have been recognized at the state and local levels. But don’t take my word for it. Mayor Will Sessoms and the entire City Council, Republican Sheriff Paul Lanteigne and Democrat former Sheriff Frank Drew have endorsed me. And, more importantly, listen to the people who will serve with me. The Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police, Police Benevolent Association and the Professional Fire Fighters have all endorsed me. The State FOP President describes me as “the most influential law enforcement figure in the Commonwealth.”
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2. I chaired the Public Safety sub-committee for eight years. I have hands-on experience in developing budgets and funding public safety. The budget cuts from the city and state total 11.9 percent, which equates to laying off 30 deputies. As an alternative to layoffs, I will work with City Council and the new governor to reduce the cuts. I will use natural attrition as much as possible, and I will explore passing on the cost of incarceration to inmates when possible. The sheriff’s office has a reserve account that can be partially used to offset additional cuts. I have discussed these measures with Sheriff Lanteigne, and we believe we can absorb the cuts without layoffs. I will not cut or eliminate the use of the Sheriff’s Workforce.
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3. Besides the budget crisis, the diversion of critical public safety dollars for non-public safety purposes represents a continuous threat. The sheriff is not a social worker. Treatment and rehabilitation should be controlled by experts. Additionally, the sheriff is not the judge and should not play a role in sentencing. The sheriff’s primary responsibility is to protect and serve the community he represents. If I am elected sheriff, inmates will serve the time imposed by the court. I will create opportunities for inmates to better themselves through education, rehabilitation, treatment and faith-based ministries, but I will not substitute my judgment for that of the judge, and I will not divert critical funds meant for public safety to other purposes.
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Capt. Bell is the real police officer, not Stolle
Capt. Bell has more experience with the police department, then Stolle. Therefore this race is not between two police officers. Capt. Bell is the Senior Captain police officer and Stolle is a politician. Therefore, Capt. Bell has the experience dealing with Virginia Beach, then Mr. Stolle. I encourage everyone to vote for experience and leadership---Vote for Capt. John Bell on November 3rd.
Vote for Bell-A Real Leader
Let me just remind everyone that Stolle fell asleep during the Wavy 10 Interview. If he fell asleep during that interview, he will fall asleep on the job. For a real candidate that is ready and able to serve, Please vote for Capt. Bell on Virginia Beach Sheriff on November 3rd!
A corrupt candidate
Let me just remind everyone that John Bell was recently disciplined by the Chief of Police after he was found guilty of misusing "government resources for political purposes in his bid for sheriff" after an investigation by the Virginia Beach City Auditor. This has been reported in the Pilot at least 3 times. This is a guy who's in charge of making sure police follow the law -- and Bell's response was that he "unknowingly violated" the law. He's either lying, incompetent or both. That's the kind of Sheriff I want.
Since we are putting out reminders
Thanks for reminding us that Capt Bell was accused of "misuse of government resources", when his secretary typed something politically affiliated during her lunch hour. Yea he's a big criminal. But the accuser is a much bigger criminal. So just as a reminder, when Capt Bell was a patrolman, and an officer had just been shot to death by a criminal, it was John Bell that found the crimional, and was shot at by the crimanal, and quickly killed the criminal that killed his fellow officer. He put hs life on the line for the last 33 years, and he's served Virginia Beach admirably. He's not looking to pad his retirement from the legislature. He's going to serve the full term, and the public. Vote John Bell, for the futurre of Virginia Beach, not his retirement.
Bell is not a crook, but Stolle is!
This issue was prematurely leaked to the press. All parties involved have been notified. The issue of Capt. Bell being a crook has no merit. Vote for Capt. Bell on November 3rd.
Let me just remind everyone
Let me just remind everyone that Stolle fell asleep during the Wavy TV 10 interview with John Bell. Real Nive!
Sleeping on watch
Didn't see it but if it happened on the television, is this a sign of how he is going to be later on? Food for thought.
The right choice for Sheriff
We have an election for Sheriff on Tuesday. Both candidates have a background in criminal justice. However, the similarity ends there. Vote for the candidate who, throughout his campaign, has maintained a strong, clear, and consistent message that he intends to protect the safety of the public. Vote for the candidate who respects the law and doesn’t abuse public property for personal gain. Vote for the candidate who is confident and sincere in his purpose and intent. Vote for Ken Stolle.
THe Right Choice for Sheriff
Sbrand I couldn't agree with you more, vote how you feel! Lets get rid of party lines like some of these hard heads. Capt. Bell's first statement when he announced he is running for sheriff, "Theres is more to being Sheriff than building bigger jails", this in itself says he cares more. It's easy to say lock en up, "The Seriff is not a social worker", until you or someone you know is arrested and treated like a second class citizen. Not everyone is a criminal, kids are being recruited to gangs, these are kids that can be saved! When was the last time you had one drink to many after an office party, if you had been stopped, and by Stolle's outlook, your a common criminal and should be locked up! Forget about your family, your job, your future! Once and for all lets get off the "Using city property to campaigh", go check the Sheriff's Ofices computers, Oh I forgot according to the City Auditor THe Sherif doesn't fall under city guidlines. Give me a break VOTE BELL
The right choice for Sheriff
We have an election for Sheriff on Tuesday. Both candidates have a background in criminal justice. However, the similarity ends there. Vote for the candidate who, throughout his campaign, has maintained a strong, clear, and consistent message that he intends to protect the safety of the public. Vote for the candidate who respects the law and doesn’t abuse public property for personal gain. Vote for the candidate who is confident and sincere in his purpose and intent. Vote for Ken Stolle.