|
Henderson Township Constable |
|
Written by Steve Sanson
|
|
Saturday, 29 September 2007 |
Earl Mitchel elected Constable for the fourth time and also a Henderson Police Officer for the past 22 years. Before joining the police force Mitchel spent 22 years in the United States Navy.
Mitchel stated that the Henderson Constable has a history that goes back to 1857. The main purpose of the Constable’s Office is to serve writs, evictions, and summons and complaints. Mitchel receives a rewarding salary of $2,400 per year as a part time position.
Mitchel stated that he is passionate about politics, but does not consider himself a politician.
The Constable use the least amount of tax dollars, there are 11 Constables in the County of Clark. Fees are used to run the department that is pretty mush self funding. The Constables Office receives $141,000 in fees and once all the bills are paid Mitchel takes home an additional $30,000 to $40,000 per year.
Mitchel stated that the Las Vegas Constable has a set salary of $97,000, because if the Las Vegas Constable was on the same program as his office. The Las Vegas Constable would make several hundred thousand dollars per year.
We talked about Mitchel’s opponents attacking him making statements that, Mitchel does not spend enough time at his Constables Office. However, Mitchel stated that the Constable is a part time position and he spends 20 hours per week in the Constables office.
Mitchel states that he is always available 24 hours a day taken phone calls and attending several different functions throughout the valley.
Mitchel operates his Constables Office with nine employees including his staff and deputies. Mitchel has a great deal of respect, trust, and loyalty for his office staff and he encourages his deputies to move on to other positions.
Mitchel made a statement that his last opponent Ronald Hilford is a loose cannon. Hilford spent about $100,000 to unseat Mitchel 90% of that money was out of Hilford’s pocket.
Mitchel spent $50,000 to keep his seat. Mitchel stated he believes in campaign reform and majority of that money was in response to Hilford’s remarks. Mitchel retained his seat with an 8% lead over Hilford during this last election.
Olivia Mitchel (Earl Mitchel’s daughter) commented on her father and gave her father high remarks. Olivia has trust and confidence in her father and he is her role model. Olivia stated that her father is constantly involved in the community on and off duty.
Mitchel was under attacked for an alleged violation of a ethics complaint filed by Ronald Hilford finally has come to an end on a complaint filed October 2006, Hilford initial complaint was dismissed. The ethics commission looked further and found a violation that Mitchel did not list his political office twice on the financial disclosure statements this is a filing forms used to run for office. Basically the forms were not clear and this mistake is not an isolated incident. The forms has caused confusions in past elections and it was determined that Mitchel made a technical violation and it was not a willful violation.
Mitchel commented on his time on the police force explaining that he has faced different situations every day, but believes that helping people is most rewarding. Emphasis that a police officer’s spends most of his time writing reports and very seldom his job is action pact, but admitted that he has been on high speed chases and shot at by suspects.
Mitchel stated that if you are scared being a police officer you need to find another career. Mitchel stated that the Henderson Police force does a wonderful job taken care of their officers especially if they are involved in a situation that involves a shooting or the taken of a life to avoid any (PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder amongst their officers.
Mitchel stated that he plans to run for his fifth term as Constable when his fourth term is up and would take into consideration any other elected seat that he can serve the most good.
Mitchel made a plea to the public to get involved and vote emphasize that you need to know your candidates before you cast your vote.
Note: You can listen to the archived broadcast of Sanson's interview with Earl Mitchel at www.AllTalkRadio.net. Scroll down to "Face the Tribune" and click onto Full Program, then look for Show Archives on your right and click onto September 15, 2007.
E-mail: SteveWSanson@cs.com phone (702) 283-8088
Website: www.VeteransInPolitics.com.
|