Blaine County's next sheriff need not be a Republican, or even a lawman, as far as Idaho law is concerned.
But the new sheriff will have to be at least 21 years of age, a U.S. citizen and a Blaine County resident for at least one year. The only other qualification, or restriction, according to the law, is that the sheriff can't be a convicted felon.
As Sheriff Walt Femling's 24-year legacy approaches an end, public speculation abounds about who will replace him. The decision might be as much about politics as it is about qualifications. Selection of a new sheriff is a two-step process involving Republicans and Democrats.
Since Femling is a Republican, the Blaine County Central Republican Committee, according to law, provides the names of up to three possible replacements to the County Commissioners. The commissioners, all Democrats, then make the selection. According to the law, the commissioners have to choose from the list provided by the Republicans.
Meanwhile, two Blaine County lawmen, both of them Republicans, have already stated their desire to have the job. Blaine County Chief Deputy Gene Ramsey and Hailey police Lt. Steve England confirmed their intentions this week to seek the appointment.
Citing health reasons, Femling announced his resignation last week. It becomes effective March 1.
Since replacing a resigning sheriff is an unusual occurrence in Blaine County, the GOP central committee is currently trying to figure out the nuts and bolts of the process, committee Chair Ed Terrazas said Monday.
"This is a serious decision," Terrazas said. "Our interest is to make sure that the process is done responsibly, in accordance with the law, is transparent and that we get the best person for the job.
"I think the community generally feels that Walt has done a good job. I share that opinion, and we want to make sure the person we select is the same kind of person."
Idaho law doesn't require that the central committee submit only the names of Republicans to the commissioners, and Terrazas said that if a Democrat wanted to be placed on the list "that can certainly be considered." Nonetheless, he acknowledged that all other things being equal, Republicans will likely receive preferential treatment from the committee.
< < <
"I think the Republican Party would be upset if we selected a Democrat over a qualified Republican," Terrazas said.
Since Idaho law has few requirements regarding qualifications, the GOP central committee and the County Commissioners have a lot of latitude in deciding which candidate is the most qualified. The law doesn't even require that a sheriff be a certified lawman, but instead only requires that, if not certified, the person upon election or appointment "complete a tutorial concerning current Idaho law and rules as prescribed by the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy."
Ramsey and England are certified officers, and both have previous political experience.
At 61, Ramsey has 40 years in law enforcement, counting his time as a military policeman in the Air Force. He has served as a Hailey officer and has been with the Sheriff's Office since 1978, serving as chief deputy under three sheriffs for more than 30 years.
Ramsey is also a Bellevue city councilman, a position he may need to vacate if named sheriff.
"There are a few things I want to accomplish so I decided to step in," Ramsey said. "We've been lucky at the Sheriff's Office with a pretty good management team for a lot of years.
"It's unfortunate timing for Walt that he couldn't finish out his term. That's a decision he did not make lightly, and it's unfortunate he had to leave for health reasons."
England, 35, has been a police officer for 13 years. He's tried twice before to become sheriff, having run unsuccessfully against Femling as a Republican in the 2004 primary election and as an independent in the 2008 general election.
"Yeah, I'm going to put my name in—I might as well," England said. "I'm making everyone aware that I'm interested.
"It saddened me to see him [Femling] resign because of health reasons. I've been his adversary for two elections, and I know he's always been a fighter."
Femling meanwhile, has thus far declined to publicly state if he has a preference for a replacement.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
Steve England, top
Gene Ramsey, bottom.
