HomeMy WebLinkAbout022525 email - Deep Disappointment in Sherrif AppointmentALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing as a deeply concerned and disappointed member of the Jefferson County
community regarding your decision to appoint Andy Pernsteiner as Sheriff over Art Frank. This
choice signals a continuation of the status quo rather than the meaningful change that so many
in our community had hoped for.
I voted for Heather Dudley-Nollette because I believed she was for the community and would
make decisions from a place of bravery and integrity. This is not that. This appointment does
not reflect the leadership or commitment to progress that I—and many others—trusted her to
uphold.
If your goal was to bring about real change within our law enforcement leadership, this decision
accomplishes the opposite. Many in our community—particularly marginalized individuals—
already feel unheard and unsafe when seeking assistance. With this appointment, their trust in
local law enforcement will only erode further. Andy Pernsteiner has a track record of ignoring
community concerns, while Art Frank has consistently shown a willingness to listen and engage.
The difference between the two could not be clearer.
Additionally, Andy Pernsteiner’s own household has demonstrated disturbing behavior that
cannot be ignored. His daughter was recorded in 2020 using racial slurs—a reflection of the
culture of intolerance that persists within certain circles of leadership. While individuals must
be accountable for their actions, a sheriff should be someone who upholds the highest
standards of integrity and inclusivity, and this appointment only reinforces existing divisions in
our community.
Furthermore, appointing someone who strategically aligns themselves with certain political
identities only when it serves their personal interests is a disservice to the integrity of this office
and to the community as a whole. This decision does nothing but perpetuate the same systemic
issues and favoritism that have long plagued our county’s leadership. It is a continuation of the
“good old boys” club, and it is deeply disappointing.
Our community deserves better. Your decision reinforces the corruption many of us have long
suspected, and for that, shame on you.
Sincerely,
Annie Lovato
Port Townsend Community Member
February 25th, 2025