Slater Weber sheriff wont run for re-election By JESSICA MILLER Standard-Examiner staff jmmiller@standard.net OGDEN — Weber County Sheriff Brad Slater is hanging up his guns. "It's time for a new sheriff," he said Monday when announcing he will not seek another term. Slater, who has been sher- ^^^^^^^^^ iff for 13 years and has worked with the Weber County Sheriff's Office for 30 years, cited personal family reasons for not seeking re-election, saying he couldn't successfully run a campaign at this time. While the deadline to file paperwork to run for sheriff in the November election isn't until March, Slater said he decided to make the announcement now to clear up any rumors. He also said the decision not to run for re-election was not politically motivated, and he has no plans to go into politics after finishing his term in January 2011. He plans to finish his term as sheriff, then focus more on his family. Weber County Sheriff's Capt. Brett Haycock has already begun his campaign for the office. He started a Web site, www.haycockforsheriff. com, to help the public get to know him. "In law enforcement circles, I'm quite well-known," said the 22-year veteran with the sheriff's office. "Outside of that, I'm not as well-known, I think." Haycock said, if elected, he January 3, 2010 Big Change Coming in Protection as Well Personally for City Resident as will try to "get back to the basics." "My philosophy is to basically be responsible for taxpayers' money, make our community safer, uphold the laws that we are sworn to enforce and bring some honor and integrity back to our office," he said. Haycock said he does not know of anyone intending to run against him. After 22 years of service for Weber County, he said, "I thought it was time for me to step forward and run for sheriff." - , Sheriff Slater commands respect, admiration Citizens of Weber County: The value of any stewardship ' — public or private — is , seldom understood until it has concluded. Far too many public servants fail to acknowledge that election to public office represents a profound trust. However, on occasion, a rare breed of man is elected to public office; one who truly conducts the people's business in a manner worthy of praise and emulation. Your sheriff, Brad Slater, is one of those men. I first met Sheriff Slater while he was serving as president of the Utah Sheriffs' Association. I was immediately impressed with Brad's ability to foster relationships — relationships which have bolstered Weber County's prominence and credibility throughout the state. I was also in awe of his prowess as a law enforcement chief executive. Few law enforcement administrators, if any, possess Sheriff Slater's intricate knowledge of the business. Furthermore, no one commands more respect or admiration among those whom understand the complexities of government best. General George S. Patton, Jr., one of the most complicated military leaders of all time (and my favorite), observed: "A man must know his destiny. If he does not recognize it, then he is lost... If he has the imagination, he will turn around and fate will point out to him what fork in the road he should take, if he has the guts, he will take it." Brad will certainly have a successor, that is the nature of representative democracy, but I can assure you that he will never be replaced. Sheriff David A. Edmunds Summit County Park City January 28, 2010 185