A recall effort organized by Parker resident Joyce Hiatt-Curren targeting La Paz County Sheriff Don Lowery became more vocal within the past week as the organizers emailed Parker Live with a list of reasons to recall Lowery, and Lowery responded to the recall in the Parker Pioneer.

Click through to read both sides.

An email, signed “Disappointed in LPCSO”, states:

Sheriff Don Lowery does not have the experience and/or knowledge to carry out the position he has been elected for. Lowery has no managerial skills or knowledge of management or budget preparation.

Sheriff Lowery has shown his unwillingness to work with the La Paz County Board of Supervisors, the County Manager and the Finance Department on key issues pertaining to the agency.

Lowery has consistently shown a failure in maintaining direction within the department and an inability to resolve key issues.

Sheriff Lowery appointed an undersheriff, Rick Paterson, who does not have the managerial skills, fiscal understanding or ability to communicate with key figures within the county government. The undersheriff has micro-managed the department personnel to the point that the moral of the agency is at its lowest levels.

Sheriff Lowery has shown an inability to make command decisions because of his lack of knowledge of the position and what it stands for. Lowery has consistently been “unavailable” or “out of the office” when key decisions need to be made or when there are issues that need to be resolved. Lowery has moved or kept personnel in key positions that do not deserve or otherwise belong.

Sheriff Lowery has filed a frivolous law suit against the La Paz County Board of Supervisors over an unpaid bill for attorney fees that was his responsibility because he and his undersheriff did not follow the proper procedures in obtaining the legal counsel. This is a flagrant misappropriation of funds and use of the taxpayers money. The decision to obtain the legal counsel was pushed through by his undersheriff, Rick Paterson, but was ultimately the decision of Sheriff Lowery. Another example of not knowing the position he holds.

Failing to follow county policy and procedures. Sheriff Lowery continues to allow members of his agency to drive their county assigned vehicles to Lake Havasu City on a daily basis which is a flagrant violation of county policy and a waste of taxpayers money.

In addition to date, Major Rick Patterson has been placed on PAID Administrative Leave pending his Termination in 30 days. Do you know anyone else that has been given a PAID 30 days notice prior to Termination? Let’s be real, it is a paid vacation, at the taxpayers expense! Wake Up La Paz County!!

As quoted in last week’s Parker Pioneer, Sheriff Don Lowery responds.

The statement I do not have the necessary skills to carry out the duties of this office. As all are aware, I took over this office just as we entered the deepest economic downturn in memory. The economic crisis faced by us all, coupled with a long history of work force related problems inherited by me as I took office, would test the skills of any manager, however, I have risen to this challenge and found outside funding resources-as money is not available at the board level.

The statement I do not work well with the Board of Supervisors is true in some ways. Remember, I am not a politician and personally maintain high moral standards. I refuse to get drawn into pointless infighting.

The statement I promoted Undersheriff Paterson who allegedly lacked management skills and micromanaged cannot be farther from the truth. Mr. Paterson served La Paz County Sheriff’s Office with distinction for years prior to my taking office.

[Lowery told the Pioneer that Maj. Rick Paterson stepped down because he didn't want to cause harm to the Sheriff's Office.]

The statement that my ability to make command decisions is in question; anyone in life who steps up to the plate and makes decisions is subject to question. I make myself available to the public 24/7, I care about your concerns and I ensure that our efforts are focused on those issues that make the most difference in the realm of public safety. Monday morning quarterbacking is much easier when writing a misguided recall from a perspective that includes limited (if any) law enforcement background. My record stands for itself and I am proud of my accomplishments.

The statement I have made personnel changes or have not made them to show favoritism toward those loyal to me. I don’t want anyone to by loyal to me, but to the office to which I have been provided the honor of holding. Personnel changes made by me have been based purely upon job performance.

The falsehood-I filed a “frivolous” lawsuit against the Board of Supervisors. The lawsuit is true; the frivolous part is false. I believe in this cause and have made repeated attempts to work with the board to address the issues underlying this unfortunate state of events to no avail.

And the final falsehood I continuously allow agency staff to travel to and from Lake Havasu City in county vehicles, against county policy and at taxpayer expense. I have two deputies who are joint Narcotic Task Force members who use task force-not county-vehicles to drive at no expense to the county. I have one on-call investigator who takes his vehicle to Havasu-he works 24/7.

I will refuse to bow down to political pressure to meet pointless agendas.

This recall is the latest in a series of attempts to recall elected officials for various reasons.

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