Newspaper profile

Thanks to The Republic-Monitor for allowing candidates to participate in candidate profiles. Click this link to read mine: http://www.perryvillenews.com/news/article_77a28152-aece-11e3-995e-001a4bcf6878.html

Looking at the fish bowl from the outside in

Last night, I had the privilege of participating in the candidate's forum at Perry Park Center. The event gave candidates a chance to tell voters a little about themselves and why they are seeking public office. It was hosted by the park center, The Republic-Monitor and the Republican and Democratic Central Committees. 

I have to admit that I was a nervous wreck! I'm a terrible public speaker, so I read my prepared statement.  During the question-and-answer portion of the event, an attendee repeatedly questioned me about not being "an active law enforcement officer," which puzzled me since I am a commissioned police officer. I work independently to enforce the municipal ordinances in Perryville and write as many tickets as many patrolmen. I was glad when it was over, and I appreciate all the people who have called me today to offer support and encouragement. 

Below is my speech, which I think pretty clearly states why I am a candidate for City Marshal. I hope you take a minute to read it and consider giving me your vote on April 8. 

Joe Martin address, Candidate's Forum, March 13, 2014

 I would like to take a second to thank you all for coming here tonight. It shows that you care about the future of Perryville.

 That’s the main reason that I am standing here tonight. I care about our community and I care about our police department and its officers.

During the last year, the Perryville Police Department had a lot of negative publicity. I am glad to say that I played no role in the investigation of our former chief and that I have not benefited from it in anyway.

Although I am still a Perryville Police Officer, I have worked independently as the code enforcement officer for the last 4 years.

I think that my distance from the police department and what has happened there gives me a great advantage as a candidate.

I use this analogy: During my 24 years of working as a patrol officer I worked inside a fish bowl. For the last 4 years, I have had the opportunity to view the fish bowl from the outside in.

I’ve had the opportunity to see many of the everyday processes that I have taken for granted and the way they affect the public.

 I’ve been reminded that no matter what a person’s name or social stature is, they are still a person. Everyone should be treated fairly and with empathy.

The good citizens we are sworn to serve should not dread having to deal with the police when getting a speeding ticket or filing a report.

The investigation has also given some people the very wrong idea that all of our officers are corrupt in some way or another. That could not be further from the truth.

 The men and women of Perryville Police Department leave their own families every day to protect ours. They don’t do it for a big paycheck or glory. They do it because being a police officer is a calling. They want to help people in need.

There are good men and women working at Perryville Police Department. They need to be given the opportunity to shine, to have a chief who sets high expectations, and then helps them reach or exceed those expectations.

Last fall the citizens of Perryville were given the opportunity to decide if the city was to appoint a City Marshal or keep it in the voter’s choice. Perryville strongly voiced their opinion, to keep it the choice of the citizens.That’s exactly why I decided to put my name on this ballot, to give people the choice.

 After Brad Pitts was removed from the race, I was especially glad I filed, because we still have a chance to choose our next city marshal instead of having it pre-determined by an appointment.

 I have 32 years in law enforcement, with 27 of those years being in a supervisory position. I have experience with budgets, and I’m known for always fighting for what’s right, not necessarily what’s popular.

I believe that Police Officers should hold themselves to a higher standard on and off duty and be proud of the uniform that they wear.  I would appreciate your vote on April 8.

Thank you!  

Fair and Compassionate Leadership

 

Last fall the citizens of Perryville were given the opportunity to decide if the city was to appoint a City Marshal or keep it in the voter’s choice. Perryville strongly voiced their opinion: to keep it the choice of the citizens.  That’s exactly why I decided to put my name on this ballot, to give people a choice in who would lead the Perryville Police Department into the future. 

Now, one of the candidates has been removed from the ballot, so without a third candidate, the people would not have had a choice on April 8. My opponent is a good man, but I think that today, we need more than a good man to lead Perryville Police Department the right direction. I think we need a completely new leader to make a completely new start. 

It's true that I'm an "old cop." I was a police officer in the Air Force, then a jailer at Cape County Sheriff's Department. I worked my way up to Jail Administrator there, and then I got to come home to Perryville as a patrolman. I worked my way up to corporal and then sergeant, and I put 24 years in on the street. Almost 4 years ago, I was promoted to the city's codes enforcement officer and moved to city hall.  Now I'm the police officer who enforces all the nuisance codes in our city. (See my earlier blog for more about that.)

In all my jobs, I have always tried to be fair and faithful to the law. I was an effective leader at the police department and I have effectively run my own department within the city. But what sets me apart from my opponent is that I no longer work within the walls of the police department. This distance from my fellow officers puts me in the unique position of being able to start with a clean slate with every officer and every citizen. I was not involved in with the turmoil of the last year, and I did not benefit from it in any way.  I have no allegiance to anyone but the people I am sworn to serve.

I think the most important thing we can do as citizens right now is to demand that our new police chief focus on getting his house in order. I can be that chief, and you can count on me to be focused on what's best for our community. 

Please check out my blog and visit my personal Facebook page. If you have questions or concerns to share, please email me at mrjoemartin@ymail.com. 

I'd appreciate your vote on April 8!

 

Visit my personal Facebook page

When someone files for public office, they can expect their private life to be open to public scrutiny and comment. It's not an easy position to be in, as anyone who has ever been a candidate or held a public position can confirm.

As voters, we want to know who we're voting for: Where do they come from? Who are their family members? Do they support charities or have friends in common with me?

With that in mind, I did not create a "Joe Martin for Perryville City Marshal" Facebook page. I just made mine completely open to public view. Click here to visit my personal Facebook page. You can see photos of my family, my work history and even photos from boot camp. Feel free to check it all out, and if you have any questions, send me a Facebook message or email me at mrjoemartin@ymail.com.

Not for sale

photo: http://www.waltonsinc.com/

My name is Joe Martin and I'm asking for your vote on April 8. I'd like to be Perryville's  next City Marshal/Chief of Police.

I've been honored and humbled by the outpouring of support and offers of campaign contributions to fund things like signs, t-shirts, bumper stickers and advertisements.
I sincerely appreciate those offers, but I am not accepting any campaign contributions. I think it's important that a police officer avoid even the appearance of owing someone a favor, so I will fund my campaign myself.
If you'd like to support my campaign, I simply ask for your vote on April 8.

What is Code Enforcement?

My name is Joe Martin and I hope to be Perryville's next City Marshal/Chief of Police.

For the last 4 years, I have served as the City of Perryville’s Code Enforcement Officer.

Charlie Triller held this position as a civilian until his election in 2008 as the Perry County Assessor.  Our aldermen re-wrote the requirements for this position in 2009 to require that it be held by a licensed police officer. They did this in an effort to streamline and strengthen the city’s enforcement of nuisance ordinances.

I was promoted to this position in July 2009, and my office is located inside City Hall.

I refer to city’s nuisance ordinances as our community’s “good neighbor laws.”

I help people who have concerns about unsafe and unsightly conditions in their neighborhood. Basically, I enforce all of the city’s laws with the exception of criminal and traffic laws, which are handled by uniformed police officers.

The laws that I enforce include all of those that involve private property and the quality of life in our neighborhoods. Below, you will see photos of some of the nuisances I have abated (by either removing the nuisance or ensuring that the property is brought into compliance with local law).

I work with property owners to remove derelict housing and other structures, which has removed dozens of “eyesores” from our community. Some examples include the old Shell station on St. Joseph St., the old Amoco station on Perryville Blvd., the old meat packing building on Delaney, the former cheese plant, and the former Hilltop Nursing Home on Highway 61.

I also issue summonses, or write tickets, for infractions like trash issues, weed growth and unlicensed vehicles.

Additionally, I enforce certain regulations like occupational licenses for businesses and zoning regulations.

I also serve as the assistant building inspector for the city. I issue building permits and work with contractors to ensure that all buildings constructed within the city are safe.

I have received consistently good performance reviews for enforcing these laws fairly and consistently.

The past 4 years have given me a new insight to enforcing the law in our community. I look forward to putting this additional and unique knowledge to work as your next City Marshal and Chief of Police.

Sign of the times

I have ordered a few campaign signs, and it's time to put them out. If you’d like a sign, please contact me by phone, email, FB message or text and I’ll bring it to you. I wish I had the words to truly express how much all your messages of support mean to me! mrjoemartin@ymail.com, https://www.facebook.com/joe.martin.779?fref=ts, 573-517-3995