2008 Woodie Awards
Sheriff denies union accusations
Letter cites lack of confidence in leadership
By: Mike Wayland
Issue date: 6/18/08 Section: News
Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski is refuting claims of the Isabella County Deputy Sheriff's Association, which has told the Isabella County Board of Commissioners it has "no confidence in the leadership of Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski and his administration."
A letter addressed to the board was read at its meeting Tuesday night by Isabella County Deputy Todd Graham.
The letter makes many claims about violations and complaints, stating, "this action was prompted due to an unprecedented number of labor disputes, unfair labor practices as well as blatant violations by Sheriff Mioduszewski and his administration..."
At the meeting, Mioduszewski gave rebuttal arguments regarding each allegation and in an interview with Central Michigan Life, expanded on his response.
"The first point they said that their action was prompted due to an unprecedented number of labor dispute or grievances. Quite frankly, we have had just a few more than what the previous sheriff did in his last term," Mioduszewski said. "But a large majority of those were back in 2005 when I was a brand new sheriff. I think they were kind of testing the waters to see if they could push me a little bit."
He said the letter was meant to discredit his administration.
"There's only one motivation for that, and that's to try and discredit what we are doing here and make their people look much better in the voters' mind," Mioduszewski said. "Quite frankly like I say there's no question that this is election-related stuff."
Mioduszewski said he meets with the union about two or three times a year and a month and a half ago, he said there were no complaints.
"There were no outstanding issues, there were no problems that we needed to work on and then like I said a month, month and a half later they're here in front of the county commission," Mioduszewski said.
The letter said Mioduszewski "attempted to silence The Deputy Sheriff's Association and individuals from speaking against him" with a new media policy. But Mioduszewski said it is a common policy and recommended by the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority.
A letter addressed to the board was read at its meeting Tuesday night by Isabella County Deputy Todd Graham.
The letter makes many claims about violations and complaints, stating, "this action was prompted due to an unprecedented number of labor disputes, unfair labor practices as well as blatant violations by Sheriff Mioduszewski and his administration..."
At the meeting, Mioduszewski gave rebuttal arguments regarding each allegation and in an interview with Central Michigan Life, expanded on his response.
"The first point they said that their action was prompted due to an unprecedented number of labor dispute or grievances. Quite frankly, we have had just a few more than what the previous sheriff did in his last term," Mioduszewski said. "But a large majority of those were back in 2005 when I was a brand new sheriff. I think they were kind of testing the waters to see if they could push me a little bit."
He said the letter was meant to discredit his administration.
"There's only one motivation for that, and that's to try and discredit what we are doing here and make their people look much better in the voters' mind," Mioduszewski said. "Quite frankly like I say there's no question that this is election-related stuff."
Mioduszewski said he meets with the union about two or three times a year and a month and a half ago, he said there were no complaints.
"There were no outstanding issues, there were no problems that we needed to work on and then like I said a month, month and a half later they're here in front of the county commission," Mioduszewski said.
The letter said Mioduszewski "attempted to silence The Deputy Sheriff's Association and individuals from speaking against him" with a new media policy. But Mioduszewski said it is a common policy and recommended by the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 17
HonestLee
HonestLee
posted 6/18/08 @ 6:46 PM EST
Wow...that article is almost as bad as the Morning Sun usually puts out, you should try for a slot there.
Seems like the reporter was taken by the ear and wrote down everything the Sheriff told him to. (Continued…)
Journalist
posted 6/18/08 @ 10:55 PM EST
Oh my goodness did anyone re-read this article? Serious there are quite a few stupid mistakes, some very poor wording, and it is obvious there are probably some errors in quotes. (Continued…)
Suspicious Third Party
posted 6/20/08 @ 1:36 AM EST
First things first: "I just implemented a policy that most, probably 99 or 100 percent of the agencies in the state have the same one."
So was Isabella the ONLY county not to have this policy. (Continued…)
Not You
posted 6/20/08 @ 1:39 AM EST
What a one sided report. Deputy Dush had no chance to respond to anything. Obviously you did not try that hard to contact him and get his side of things. (Continued…)
Mt. Pleasant Voter
posted 6/20/08 @ 11:10 AM EST
"Undersheriff John Vinson was also named in the letter, which said Mioduszewski employed an "Undersheriff of questionable background and has knowingly allowed his Undersheriff to participate in an internal investigation where a clear conflict of interest was present. (Continued…)
OneManOneVote
posted 6/20/08 @ 8:44 PM EST
How about drawing attention to the fact this is the first time in the history of Michigan, as far as I can tell, that Deputies have unanimously agreed on a vote of no confidence in the sheriff. (Continued…)
Rumors
posted 6/25/08 @ 5:27 PM EST
Leo Mioduszewski is an excellent sheriff, I hope he wins in August. As for John Vinson's background, I know him to be a person of outstanding character, an asset to the community, I wish them both well. (Continued…)
chipskeptic
posted 7/02/08 @ 11:58 PM EST
Are you people freaking serious?????
1) Sheriff Leo has a Master of Public Administration degree from CMU. That curriculum is all about running public agenices and includes coursework in budgeting and program implementation and evaluation. (Continued…)
Concerned.....(very)
Very concerned.,....
posted 7/23/08 @ 9:51 AM EST
Dear Sir/Madam: I don't know who you are...but in all honesty...you are quite a disgrace. Police protection hasn't ever been better under Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski's administration. (Continued…)
Common Sense
posted 7/25/08 @ 5:38 PM EST
Very Concerned,
I also agree with you. I have to chuckle every time I see the Isabella County Correction's Officers and Police Clerks Assoc. open their mouth. (Continued…)
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