Sheriff's candidate says responsible management is key

Carson City sheriff's candidate Scott Burau said he thinks "a responsible management team" would alleviate concerns surrounding the sheriff's office.

The city's charter review committee suggested Tuesday creation of an overview committee to monitor the operation of the department in light of concerns over the current administration.

Charter review members will ask the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 1 to create a committee composed of residents without law enforcement affiliations.

"On the surface I don't have any problem with anyone looking at the day-to-day operation of the sheriff's office," Burau said Wednesday. "As a sheriff's candidate, I think the presence of a responsible management team will reduce the questions maybe someone has concerning what's going on and why."

Complaints about the inaccessibility of Sheriff Rod Banister and allegedly low morale among sheriff's deputies prompted the committee, which every two years reviews the city's operating charter, to consider the oversight committee.

Burau, Carson City sheriff's chief deputy of operations, said until supervisors consider the issue, it is premature to speculate on the committee's need.

"I understand what they're saying, and as a sheriff's candidate and as an official at the sheriff's office, I have been and will continue to be accessible and available to community to answer questions that may come up," Burau said.

Sheriff Rod Banister didn't return phone calls Tuesday evening or Wednesday to respond to the charter review committee's concerns or suggestion.

The other four candidates for sheriff -- Wayne Fazzino, Ken Furlong, Bob Guimont and Richard Mendoza -- also gave qualified support for the proposal in interviews Tuesday. Burau couldn't be reached Tuesday for his comments.