Why would a veteran police detective decide to run for public office?

By Kevin Barnard

"You don't harm the whole organization because of the personal circumstance or potential gain of one person or one set of special relationships. And I wondered, how can an elected representative be so disrespectful? I began to feel, somebody's got to do something."

With an overflow crowd of hundreds of members of the public, interested elected officials, paid lobbyists, and representatives of dozens of big and small groups, the five Supervisors were presiding over one of the oldest rituals of American democracy: redistricting.

Redistricting is the process by which the lines are redrawn that determine who votes to elect the Supervisors who, in turn, oversee billions of taxpayer dollars as well determining how growth policies are carried out in the vast reaches of the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

The ultimate in a self-interested political matter, redistricting is supposed to be about "communities of interest," and minimizing disruption for voters.

Barnard had come to this point by working his way up through the rank and file trenches of democracy: attempting to reconcile often contentious local land use, planning and development issues.

Respect for self-government

Barnard tells the tale, "I heard from a neighbor about plans by Escondido to annex our rural area and I attended a meeting to learn what was going on. More meetings followed, I kept attending and soon I was elected Chairman of the Group. Harmony Grove is an unincorporated area located next to Elfin Forest and Del Dios, yet we're separated by County Supervisorial district lines. We had no recognized planning group covering our area. The San Dieguito Planning Group borders end next to us. We wanted to be a part of San Dieguito - or form our own planning group."

But the message Barnard received from their County representative was that they could not support "another layer of government." And while the aide said they would get back to them, the clear message was "go away" and they never did hear back. Self-determination
- government of the people, by the people and for the people - was evidently not wanted there.

A year later Barnard and his group heard about the redistricting process and saw it as a way to address several community issues. At an initial meeting Barnard found others including people concerned about fire and public safety service areas which were also split by district lines. The Fire Chief from Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove was seeking to consolidate their service area into one supervisorial district to improve government efficiency # a worthy goal. Neighbors and communities of interest, they worked together after that and submitted a formal map proposal with the reasons and rationale for making the changes according to the written conditions set forth in the redistricting process.

Democracy on track

In Barnard's view, their foray into democracy was "on track."

"Testimony went well throughout the process. Our little change was on every single map that the committee developed. It was non-controversial and made all kinds of sense. It wasn't politically motivated and we were feeling pretty good about it," Barnard relates.

A lengthy public review process preceded the final hearing. Each Supervisor had appointed a representative with which they were to have no contact during the process. Over seven months, hearing after hearing was held working on map after map after map. Starting with an initial staff-proposed map, lines would be redrawn based upon committee and public input. At the next meeting, and for each subsequent meeting, new maps would be circulated and discussed until a total of 15 different proposals and variations were released for public review and placed on the County's website.

The Committee finally forwarded two maps to the Board of Supervisors as acceptable.

Democracy Undone

Barnard picks up the story, "On the day of the redistricting hearing, we're getting wind that Board had come up with their own plan. It had never been seen or discussed in the public review process. It was being introduced at the last minute. I thought literally `that's never going to fly. That would be just ridiculous.'

To Barnard's dismay, the midnight redistricting plan did fly and seeing how the system was being manipulated catalyzed some fundamental political questions for this lifelong public servant.

"A lot of thoughts went through my mind. How can the Supervisors go along with this? The next big question was why the heck do we really bother? Why not fold up our tents and go home? I remember looking around and wondering how many people in this room are just going to give up."

Democracy Harmed

Barnard continues, "It wasn't just the map. I remember feeling as if we were all just toys in the Board of Supervisors' sandbox. The level of contempt for the public that I witnessed has no place in professional government service. There are times to do the right thing and not toy with peoples' lives. You end up doing a lot more harm to an organization with that kind of self-serving behavior. You don't harm the whole organization because of the personal circumstance or potential gain of one person or one set of special relationships. And I wondered, how can an elected representative be so disrespectful? I began to feel, somebody's got to do something."

Democracy Defended

What Barnard saw and heard that day stirred his own deep commitment to public service.

"Let's just say that in more than 20 years of service in a public institution, one thing I will never be accused of is being oil for the department # or subverting the public good for political convenience. That can be a real pain to the administrators of any institution. But the mission is the public good and it's the public's money. And no one should be treated with the level of contempt that was demonstrated by Supervisor Horn."

So Detective Barnard - in consultation with mentors from over the years - decided to take the plunge to become candidate Barnard.

Respect for Citizens

Barnard has a history of making a difference by taking community input seriously and working out solutions to difficult problems. Detective work has made him a good listener with the ability to reconcile conflicting stories and find common ground.

One of his core beliefs can now be found in his answer to why he's running for public office, "There resides in our citizenry the ideas, knowledge, and passion to find solutions to our most daunting problems if only they are given the leadership and tools to do so."

One of our heroes

The kinds of things people have been involved in tell you who they are.

Kevin Barnard has been on the front lines of both law enforcement and crime prevention.

He arrested a serial killer on the FBI Top Ten Wanted List

He has been repeatedly commended for his work on the San Diego police force including for his "creativity, tenacity, extraordinary alertness, professionalism, knowledge, dedication, initiative, innovation, and interpersonal abilities" - as well as his "reasoning under emergency conditions."

He has been on the frontlines of community-based policing.

His work helped establish grass roots support for the now-accepted concept of Drug Court by demonstrating how law enforcement and recovery programs can be an effective combination.

He's led many presentations before youth groups # as well as training rookie officers.

He lives in Harmony Grove with his wife Heather, also a cop, and their three dogs: Makenna, Gunnar and Cowboy.

Other past or present volunteer activities:
- Hosted "Cops & Kids" confidence building courses on his property
- An athlete throughout his life, he has coached or played soccer, tennis and currently, ice hockey.
- Volunteer at local veterinary hospital

Protect North County - Support Kevin Barnard The time is right for a citizen candidate who understands the frustrations of dealing with an elected official who is unresponsive and unwilling to listen # and most importantly has demonstrated his ability to listen and act.

Barnard offers a better choice for quality of life and good government.

Visit http://www.kevinbarnard.com to volunteer or express support!