In a strongly worded editorial in Friday’s Virginian-Pilot, the board takes to task Portsmouth Sheriff Bill Watson. The editorial came about as the result of the actions of Portsmouth City Council, reported in this story from Wednesday. It’s been a while since I wrote about Watson, even though he provides comic relief.
The Pilot needs to take some responsibility for Watson being sheriff this time around. Watson was originally elected in 2005, after having beaten the incumbent, Gary Waters, in a primary. (Waters actually beat himself, but that’s a post for another day.) Because the Pilot editorial board favors incumbency, they helped return him to office.
Elections have consequences. If you’re not a part of the solution, you’re a part of the problem. And in this case, the Pilot editorial board was a part of the problem.
Here’s hoping they learn something from all of this as they gear up for endorsing in upcoming May municipal races.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Anybody else wondering why we elect a Sheriff in the first place?
As opposed to appointing them?
we don’t elect the police chief
I doubt you’ll find much support for that idea.
I’m willing to throw in Commissioner of Revenue and Treasurer as a compromise.
Yes, another reason for appointment, the state has stoped funding these the Treasurer and Commissioner, and turned them over tothe local governments. In that sense, the local government should appoint these positions. In many cases, they are duplicated with other positions already, and could save localities much money in their budget shortfalls. They are too many chiefs, and not enough indians around the courthouses.
thanks for the op Mrs. Vivian on point as always
I believe we elect a sheriff based on Va. Code……its old world stuff as the sheriff was the #1 law enforcer…..
Nice post Vivian.. the Pilot will endorse all imcumbents this time around Im sure.. Daun Hester’s campaign isn’t visible enough 2 months before the election as compared to someone with name recognition who has run city wide before. Are you at all a bit concerned?
We don’t need to get rid of the sheriff, we need to get rid of the mayor.
I THINK WATSON IS A EXCLLENT SHERIFF THAT DOES NOT TAKE ANY CRAP,I HAVE KNOWN HIM FOR YEARS SAME NEIGHBORHOD,AND I WILL VOTE FOR HIM AGAIN
It is hard to take anything that the Council Members in Portsmouth say serious, they and the Mayor are the real joke in Hampton Roads. Kudos to Watson for trying to do something good for the City!