MADERA COUNTY – Just a few weeks remain before the election, but Jay Varney is still working hard on the campaign trail, getting his message out and meeting residents of the county he hopes to serve as Sheriff.
One of the things Varney wants to emphasize before voters cast their ballots, is his depth of support and strong endorsements from others in law enforcement.
“My candidacy is supported and endorsed by many current and retired law enforcement executives and employees,” says Varney. “These endorsements represent the votes of the law enforcement professionals and government employees who are your friends, relatives, and neighbors – the first responders who provide your law enforcement services in Madera County.”
Varney also emphasizes the leadership positions he has held throughout his 31-year career, including 19 years at the position of sergeant or higher. He has been Police Chief in Chowchilla for over 10 years, and has been called upon to serve as Acting City Administrator from 2009 to 2011, and again in 2014, handling both positions at the same time.
Garnering the endorsements of so many in law enforcement and from a host of community leaders, “demonstrates the recognition and respect for my leadership ability, and ability to get things done,” says Varney. “Having been appointed twice as Acting City Administrator, I am well acquainted with rapidly adapting to and overcoming changing work demands and systems.”
What he has learned on the campaign trail, is that citizens are most concerned with service response times, marijuana grows and drug activity near their residences or places of business, metal theft, gang activity, and protection of their 2nd Amendment rights. To address these crime concerns, he intends to:
1. Restore vacant deputy positions through additional general fund allotments, pursuing grant funding, and using a portion of the sheriff’s allotted rural county funds to improve staffing levels.
2. Rebuild the Reserve Deputy Corps, utilizing reserve officers to assist full time deputies in providing enforcement services countywide.
3. Establish a Cadet Program.
4. Emphasize increased use of technology, including an online reporting process.
5. Establish a Sheriff’s Foundation to raise funds for Citizens on Patrol and K-9 Unit.
Varney disagrees that he will face the “steep learning curve” alleged by others on the campaign trail.
“I am already familiar with many of the County processes, and will easily transition to operating there,” he says. “Let me put 31 years of law enforcement experience to work serving you as Sheriff.”
Meet Jay Varney at his next campaign event on Friday, Oct. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Coarsegold Miners Grill, hosted by John and Matt Markle.
Jay Varney is 53 years old, and has served in the police departments of Dallas, Texas and Lansing, MI. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree in Criminology from Fresno State University. He is a graduate of the one-week FBI LEEDS training, as well as the 10-week FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA., for which he received a graduate certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia in addition to the Academy graduation certificate. He holds a POST Executive certificate from the CA Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training.
To learn more about Jay Varney, his background and plans for the future, visit his website at http://www.jayvarney4sheriff.com or on Facebook.
Endorsements for Jay Varney include –
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees/Madera Co. Employees Assoc.
California Peace Officers Association
California Police Chiefs Association
Central California Correctional Peace Officer’s Association
Chowchilla Police Officers Association
Fresno Deputy Sheriffs Association (FDSA)
Madera Deputy Sheriffs Association
Madera Police Officers Association
Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC)Andrew Alvardo- Superintendent Golden Valley Unified School District
Lisa Anderson- Fire Battalion Chief (retired)
Gary E. Brown- Monterey CA Police Chief (retired); Former Chowchilla Police Chief
John Chavez- Baker/Mayor Pro Term, City of Chowchilla
Ruben Chavez- Chief of Police, Livingston Police Dept.Steve Frazier- Law Enforcement Professional
Ronn Dominici- Retired Highway Patrol Officer and 3 time Chairman of the Madera Board of Supervisors
Isaac Jackson- Chowchilla City Councilmember/Tech Lead at Foster Farms Poultry
Jon Lopey- Sheriff, Siskiyou County
Dr. Charles Martin- Superintendent of Chowchilla Elementary School District
Tommy Martin- Retired Police Commander/Cattle Rancher
David Paris- Law Enforcement Professional
Robert Poythress- Mayor, City of Madera/Banking
Derek O. Robinson- Madera Councilmember
Ronald Lawson- Retired/Veteran/Chowchilla Planning Commission Member (retired)
Jon Lopey- Sheriff Siskiyou County
Steve Magarian- Fresno County Sheriff (retired)
(Pictured above at the press conference are, from left to right: Mayor of Madera Rob Poythress, Steve Frazier, Mayor of Chowchilla Richard Walker, Vice Mayor of Madera Derek Robinson, Dave Paris, Jay Varney, Ronn Dominici, Brent Cederquist, Alicia Keiser, Josh Chavez, Shant Sheklanian, Elliott Gomes, and Jason Clark)
