Can’t Afford the Alternative
As a former CEO and head of a division of a Fortune 200 Company, I have read my share of resumes. After a while you begin to spot red flags that you need to pay attention to. If you see a trend of repeated employment changes not accompanied by significant promotions, this is a potential problem. If you see linear employment changes within an organization not accompanied by increased responsibility, you need to pay attention. This brings me to Boyd Neagle. Prior to coming to the Pagosa Springs Police Department, Mr Nagle had been with at least four other Police Departments over the last 26 years, never rising beyond the level of Corporal. Hardly a ringing endorsement of leadership capability by his fellow officers. If you scratch the surface a little beyond the resume it is pretty easy to find areas of concern, including the infamous tasing incident in Cortez. Under oath Boyd Nagle admitted that he had administered 350,000 watts of electricity, or seven administrations of the Taser, five of which were in a two and a half minute period while the victim, who suffered from a mental disability, was in handcuffs. In doing so he violated at least three of the department’s stun gun policies. The victim was eventually acquitted after a very brief jury deliberation but not after the victim had spent 297 days in jail (Durango Herald December 8th, 2014).
In the subsequent civil suit brought against the City, Boyd Neagle and fellow officers, the victim’s family, was awarded $200,000 of tax payers money. One can only imagine how many millions of dollars would have had to have been paid out had the victim passed away from his tasering at the hands of Boyd Neagle. Subsequently Boyd Neagle ran for the position of Mancos Marshall but was beaten out in the evaluation process by a much less tenured officer who had nonetheless attained the rank of Sergeant. All of this begs the question, how did Boyd Neagle get a position with the Pagosa Springs Police department?
On the other hand if you review Mike Le Roux’s resume you would find a history of professional growth and increasing responsibility both in the private and public sector. Shortly after joining Search and Rescue, he was promoted to Commander of Emergency Services. His efforts there have been recognized statewide when he was awarded the Emergency Manager of the Year award by the State of Colorado. After joining the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Department he was rapidly promoted to Undersheriff. This is a resume with all attributes you are looking for. In addition Mike Leroux has been an active member of this community and has given freely of his time to local organizations well before he ever considered running for public office. Ultimately a leader is the one person that is responsible for creating a positive, ethical organizational culture. The choice is obvious. Vote for Mike Le Roux, we can’t afford the alternative.
Simon Fuger
