To the Citizens of Murray County:
I have remained silent long enough, it is time to take a stand and share my opinion!
I have been with the Murray County Sheriff’s Office for over 20 years and have worked for 3 different Sheriff’s here. Steve Telkamp is by far, the best of the 3 that I have worked for. He is a leader and has always bent over backwards to accommodate his staff. We have not had a huge turnover of personnel in the past 16 years of Sheriff Telkamps’ term. In fact, the Dispatchers/Jailers that we have currently have been mostly long-term employees. Sheriff Telkamp rarely turns anyone down (Dispatchers, Jailers, Deputies or his Assistant) from attending classes or training, even if it creates a hardship for the office staffing.
I just laugh and shake my head when I read the propaganda that Carol Gregory puts out. He is a leader and is NOT a controller. I also do not know anyone that knows Minnesota Statutes or Laws more than Sheriff Telkamp. If he is not sure of one, he looks it up and does research. That sound pretty competent to me!
The Sheriff DOES conduct himself in a professional manner and children adore him. He reads to the kids at school, attends a lot functions;building gingerbread houses, doughnuts for dads, bakes cookies at Christmas, and hosts the Bike Rodeo every year. He is also very active in his Church with the Confirmation Classes and other church events. The children all recognize him and always greet him with smiles. This to me IS a good example to children.
The Sheriff does NOT retaliate against anyone for any reason. Never has, never will. If I have an issue, I approach him and we TALK about it and work it out. He has never avoided conflict.
If anyone has been harassed or retaliated against,it is SHERIFF TELKAMP and his Staff by the County Coordinator and Commissioners, as is indicated by the Letter to the County Board and Aurora Heard on OCTOBER 17, 2017. Sheriff Telkamp continues to stand up for the Sheriff’s Office employees. The videos, which were obtained, show the Sheriff at his wits end from dealing with them over their trying to get rid of targeted employees. The Dispatch area is a safe haven for ALL of us to vent and WE ALL DO!!!! We work in an intense, high stress job and venting is a must!
I’m curious on what county employees they allegedly talked to? Those that no longer work for the County or this Office? Talk with the county employees that were run off by the County Coordinator (which is a long list); ask them about the truth of the situation in Murray County.
You have County Commissioners giving false information to the public, regarding the Sheriff’s Office budget. They have gone to City Council and Township meetings to hand out copies of the one sided, untruthful investigation report and sharing video inside dispatch! I’m concerned on who is paying for all of these resources to distribute this propaganda. Everyone is aware of the huge amount of money being spent by the Commissioners for unnecessary reasons. It has reached ridiculous amounts and it is a blatant disregard for taxpayer money. Where is the fiscal responsibility and accountability?
HOWEVER, here it is August 2018 and the Dispatcher/Jailers still do not have a Contract. These employees work 12 hr. shifts in a tiny room, cannot even leave the room for those 12 hours. They eat lunch in front of the phones and radios. They deal with life and death situations, angry or hurt citizens, try to keep deputies safe, staffing is 24 hours a day 7 days a week, including holidays and they are often 100% stressed out, BUT they can’t get a contract settled. The personnel committee is haggling over very minor issues that do not even remotely compare to the money they are spending on attorneys, investigators, Operation Consultants, etc…
Where were these people when we were dealing with the recent crisis in Murray County; the floods? The Sheriff was out every day, all day talking with the public, getting them help when he could and trying to ease their minds that it would be okay. 99% of our staff was also out helping the citizens of this County. They were assessing roads, filling sandbags, distributing sandbags, helping to feed volunteers and make sure everyone had water and also talking with those in need. We all worked the 4th of July holiday to help out! In addition, a HUGE shout out to every citizen that also assisted and helped during the holiday. You make this community what it is…..GREAT!
PLEASE do not get your info from someone that has ulterior motives or knows absolutely nothing about the inner works of the office. TALK TO THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE EMPLOYEES TO HEAR THE TRUTH, not rumors and propaganda that a very small-minded group of individuals are spreading. Thank You Murray County PUBLIC. You are what makes this County the best place to live!!!!
Please get out and vote in the Primary Election August 14, 2018 and the General Election on November 6, 2018. Let’s take back our County from those bringing it down!!!
Donna Mollema
