PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Sheriff Joe Martin has yet to explain why he dropped disciplinary proceedings against a political rival who happens to be a deputy sergeant.
Martin has said he would explain why he began disciplinary procedures against Bill Benedict, a deputy sergeant, but on Wednesday said he had not been to the office to hear if he had been cleared to talk.
County Administrator Jim Jones said the two candidates met with Chief Civil Attorney Mark Nichols on Monday afternoon and were advised that they both had erred.
“There was a lot of misunderstandings and a lot of bad advice people had gotten about what was legal and not legal and that is where Mark (Nichols) came in,” Jones said.
Jones said he believed both Martin and Benedict are both “high quality people.”
But there are inherent difficulties when an employee runs for office against their boss, he said.
Jones said that the county Board of Commissioners has received letters from residents critical that the county allows subordinates to run against superiors because of the conflicts it can cause.
Martin and Benedict are not the only intra-departmental contests.
The race for Clallam County auditor is between incumbent Cathleen McKeown and Elections Coordinator Patty Rosand.
Jones said he has looked into the possibility of county commissioners approving an ordinance that prohibits such races.
“It’s not just the awkwardness, it’s (very) disruptive,” Jones said.
“These things never go well.”
