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12.07.2006

TS - Parris, Owsley head up Dikeman campaign

Parris, Owsley head up Dikeman campaign
James Faulk The Times-Standard
02/24/2006 4:24 AM PST

EUREKA -- Two prominent law enforcement officials are heading up the current campaign to oust Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos and instill Worth Dikeman as his successor.

”The campaign manager is (Detective) Dave Parris, and I am working under Dave as vice chairperson,” said Suzie Owsley, calling from her home Wednesday evening.

Gallegos has long had conflicts with the Eureka Police Officers Association -- the labor union played a large role in the attempted recall of Gallegos in 2002, which failed overwhelmingly.

Parris and Owsley are both members of that union, as well as employees of the Eureka Police Department, but those are not the hats they're wearing in this campaign, Owsley said.

The union has yet to take an official stance on the candidates, said Owsley, who handles public relations for the EPD.

Owsley said that as an individual she's supporting Dikeman because of his experience and integrity.

”He is somebody that I want to see as the top law enforcement officer in Humboldt County,” Owsley said.

She said that role will not affect her ability to work with the District Attorney's Office in a professional capacity.

”We have to deal with, and get along with, whoever's in office,” she said. “It's all about working for the victim and on the crime -- to us, that's what is important.”

Alison Sterling Nichols, Gallegos' campaign manager, seemed unfazed in regards to Dikeman's personnel.

”Paul continues to work together with law enforcement to reduce crime and make our community safer,” she said.

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