Pacific County Commissioners Lisa Olsen, David Tobin and Jerry Doyle blind-sided the public. They simultaneously announced and approved of a new Department of Corrections, all on the same day, Dec. 26.

The new department will remove oversight of the jail, from Sheriff Daniel Garcia, to a county administrator, Paul Plakinger.

I think this change in command is unconstitutional. No commissioners can transfer duties from an elected sheriff to a non-elected county administrator.

These commissioners hid their agenda during the November, county elections. They had one week, until Jan. 1, to strong-arm next year’s budget. Pacific County does not need another layer of bureaucracy.

Before the Dec. 26 commissioners’ meeting, each commissioner prepared a long-winded, defensive speech. They did not consider public outcry. Both law officers and concerned citizens showed overwhelming support for Sheriff Garcia.

Most of the animosity is caused by inconsistent, long-term funding by the county commissioners. Now the commissioners are bandaging a small, antiquated jail that is not equally accessible to the entire county.

The commissioners disrespected Sheriff Garcia. He was not notified of a possible change in command until Dec. 18. Officers did not receive adequate notice before any change in staffing.

Commissioners Tobin, Doyle, and especially Olsen, deserve recall. They can not blame anyone for poor communication skills when they hid their agenda. These commissioners can not represent us if they ignore the constitutional protections of an elected sheriff. We, the people, elected Sheriff Garcia.

KATHRYN FLEISHMAN

Ocean Park