On the opposing view he is seen as a somewhat tyrannical,egotistical Napoleon like control freak who has his hand in too many operations, which he uses to his advantage politically. County party chairman, director of the New Chapel Volunteer F.D./ EMS and sheriff ....Noel certainly has his hands full. Publicity hound is another word critics use in describing Noel and the way he operates.
The BatBlog is going to reserve judgement until later on Sheriff Noel as he has done some good things in an effort to clean up the county jail. He was left a mess by former sheriff Rodden, so Noel has a lot to work with there. Whether he wields to much power and influence on the local GOP party, that is for Republican party members to determine and if so act accordingly. He has taken local Rep.s to new highs and success at local elections, even though his task was made easier by the inept faces of leadership by local Democrats Galligan and Perkins.
A couple of things that has bothered the BatBlog is Noel's apparent action of doing things on his own. Particularly the recent contract signed with A&E to produce a reality show inside the Clark Co. jail. We believe this should have been run by the County Commissioners and Co. attorney before being agreed to, it is our understanding it was NOT....
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| Submitted by a reader...Thank You and well done |
Also Noel promoting carry permits seems rather over the top as well. There is nothing wrong with citizens carrying legally permitted firearms, but we aren't sure the sheriff should be promoting this. We're not sure it's in the best interest to have everybody in Clark Co. Indiana. carrying a concealed handgun and the sheriff promoting that premise.
The BatBlog will put the King Jamey I title on hold for now. He has said he will relinquish the party chair which we feel is in the best interest of C.C. residents, as being sheriff is a full time job, but The BatBlog will remain vigilant and watching...but one thing for sure we have discovered is that the sheriff is one of the most polarizing figures in recent memory...
Noel has loaded many of the precinct committeemen with friends, he definitely has control over the republican party. Too much in my opinion and he is notorious for only giving support to only those rep. candidates he sees eye to eye with. It is his way or the highway.
ReplyDeleteHT, just some clarification.
ReplyDeleteIndiana does not have a concealed carry license.
It's a License to carry.
Concealed or open, it's your choice.
Just because someone has a license does not mean they carry everywhere,
But it is good that they have the choice.
My work routine takes me into some bad places, it's good to have the option when needed.
In my opinion, you should have the right to carry unless you do something to loose it.
Being a gifted political leader is one thing... Getting elected to be the Sheriff of all the people of Clark County is another.
ReplyDeleteHe's done good for his political party, indeed. He's cleaning up the jail, and that is very appreciated.
I don't like that he has not resigned his position as chairman of the Clark County Republicans, as he said he would if elected.
He said he would step down as chair when elected sheriff. When was he elected?
ReplyDeleteI just heard the jail employees let fights and other bad stuff go on when the Tv show was filmed. The contract said they had to.
For a sheriff to agree to "let fights go on" just so the tv show attracts more viewers and "looks good" is deplorable. Noel should be ashamed. This stuff (on the tv show) happened under his watch --- it doesn't make him "look good" at all. It makes him look incompetent.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree that he should have stepped down as party chair IMMEDIATELY after being elected. It has now been months and he hasn't done so -- and probably never will.
"Let them eat cake"!!
I just heard the jail employees let fights and other bad stuff go on when the Tv show was filmed. The contract said they had to.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't sound right. I call bullshit. And if it ain't bullshit, whoever signed that contract should face some sort of disciplinary action. That's reckless and irresponsible.
Woo...Thanks for the clarification. Don't get me wrong, I support anyone who feels the need their right to carry a gun. I just don't think it's a good idea for a sheriff to promote this for all citizens to arm themselves. This just opens the good possibility of less proficient people out in public armed.
ReplyDeleteWhile I own quite a few weapons of my own I have never felt the need to carry one publicly, but for those who feel the need to do and are adequately trained and proficient I support their right. I just don't see the need for everyone brandishing a gun...This isn't Dodge City.
I agree Snowman...sheriff is a full time job and IMO carries to much influence to be party chair as well. He promised to step down ...why hasn't he done so ???
ReplyDeleteAs for the TV show I'm going to wait and see how it was done before criticizing it. These reality shows are mostly scripted for a dramatic effect, hopefully we get a true look at how things go on and not things set up to make for good tv...
ReplyDeleteControl and power freaks have a hard time giving either, that is the situation with Noel.
ReplyDeleteI meant giving UP either.
ReplyDeleteI want to know who signed the contract with A&E. Have all the commissioners and county council members been given a copy? Surely Noel didn't sign this without input from the commissioners/council and county attorney???
ReplyDeletePower has gone to his head.
p.s. I love your pictures HT!!! hilarious
We were not informed on the council. The public knew the same time we did.
DeleteAccording to the N/T article:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newsandtribune.com/news/concerns-ease-over-tv-show-featuring-clark-county-jail/article_0cf30a48-d1c7-11e5-9001-475d79c2c447.html
Neither commissioner Jack Coffman nor the County attorney knew anything about the TV series before hand...Noel said his personal attorney looked over the contract...
Maybe Kevin Vissing and Rick Stephenson will weigh in on this and express their opinions...
ReplyDeleteNoel has control over three votes on the Jeff city counsel as well Owen, Gill, Maples will follow his wishes.
ReplyDeleteBesides Owen, Maples & Gill, isn't Jahn the vice-chair of the party?? So he would have her vote too, right?
ReplyDeleteThis "all in the family" stuff is just sickening. No wonder Clark County is in such a mess.
And who the heck is his "personal attorney"??? Must be another relative!!!
It didn't take much longer than a year for him to politicize the county more than any sheriff we've ever seen. On the bright side, at least we get to see more of his pudgy lackey sidekicks.
DeleteI think it is worth noting that this is Noel's SECOND foray into the national media since taking office just barely over a year ago.
ReplyDeleteHis dry, monotone voice is like listening to paint dry. Can't believe he continues to get media time.
DeleteSomeone who grew up with Noel said when they heard he was running for sheriff the only thing they could think of was Cartman's "Respect my authority" skit.
ReplyDeleteHaving met him now it's all I can think of too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx4jn77VKlQ
Cartman or Bobby Hill, take your pick.
Delete
ReplyDeleteShort man syndrome is an informal term and not a medical or psychological condition and goes by other names such as 'Napoleon complex'. Technically it is a form of inferiority complex in which the person attempts to overcompensate for their perceived shortcoming.
Sheriff Noel does amazing at his job & does not deserve the untrue crap that has been said about him. The jail has in fact gotten a lot better since he has been elected & the first season was when he FIRST took over & the jail was in transition from the damage that was caused before he was in charge. He does not care about publicly he simply does things to try & try's to help everyone & has does all his jobs well. People should not speak of things they know nothing about.
ReplyDeleteHahaha.... Now that's funny
DeleteNoel shouldn't have to get his face on national television every few months in order to carry out his duties as the sheriff of our county. As a tax paying citizen, im allowed to say that. Thanks HT for the platform.
ReplyDeleteChelsea I don't think anyone has said anything particularly untrue or disparaging about Sheriff Noel. Several including myself have given him credit for his effort to clean up the jail.
ReplyDeleteThere does seem to be a common theme here though criticizing him for his penchant of using the media to promote his agenda. I think most C.C. residents would just want him to do his job quietly and let his record speak for itself.
Also many want to know why he hasn't given up the GOP chair as he supposedly said he would do after the election...
Kevin ...Do you think Noel should have informed the Commissioners and Council before going ahead with the reality show ??? Just wondering ???
ReplyDeleteAs we know.....loose lips sink ships. For this A&E show to be successful, Noel probably did it right.
DeleteAnother simpler way would be to hire an experienced corrections person from outside our area to go inside as a prisoner to investigate what goes on inside.
It is nice we retained many of the cameras used for the show, which saves us money, and will help with security.
I will wait to see the video, like everyone else, and make my judgment afterwards.
If I remember he also said he would resign as the chief of the New Chapel fire dept. Has that happened?
ReplyDeleteI thought he PROMISED that upon election as sheriff he would RESIGN
ReplyDeleteas chief of NEW CHAPEL FIRE
as GOP CHAIRMAN
Are these broken promises?
Who will admit this...or hold JAMEY NOEL accountable?
Putting aside doing what's right and what he promised to do. Failing to step down as county chair and remaining in his New Chapel position shows a huge lack of judgement and ego running amok on Noel's part.
ReplyDeleteWhich in my opinion isn't such a bad thing. Hopefully it will just add to and speed up the fall which will inevitably come. And my money is on sooner than later.
Like I posted earlier. I will reserve judgement on Noel until we have a bigger example of his work. I am concerned though whether juggling several different positions diminishes his time and performance as sheriff.
ReplyDeleteRemember he barely won with only 37% of the vote and most experts believe Meyer(D) would have won hadn't it been a 3 party race...Spainhour (I) took 25 % of the vote.
The BatBlog's guess is he will only give up the other positions near time for his reelection bid when it may become an issue in his race. Power is intoxicating, he is riding high right now but he is a polarizing figure who only won by the skin of his teeth...
Time will tell but from the majority of the people I talk too even Rep.s they would rather see less of Noel on TV and spending more time catching bad guys...
Great point..... He likely wouldn't have won his own election had their not been an independent. Would've been bested by many hundreds, if not thousands of votes. It didn't turn til the very end. I don't think Sheriff can be considered "safe" for any candidate they put forward in the next election, Noel or otherwise.
DeleteIf you notice.....every time a high profile prisoner gets taken down the hallway, Jamie is always walking besides them, so he can be filmed, or he just needs exercise. You pick.
ReplyDeleteSo the Sheriff had a representative, Officer Maples, observe the filming and could not interfere, according to the contract, with anything including, as noted in the paper and trailer, bathrooms being held hostage, fights, drugs being brought in etc. How is that doing your duty and upholding the rights of our citizens?
ReplyDeleteMs. Johnson,
The "first season" was "when he first took office" and was in transition?
He was well into his first year as filming began Sept / Oct according to information he gave the N & T and actually also according them, it was still wrapping up.
There is no "untrue crap" being said. Noel is reaping what he sowed and will continue to do so.
Mr. Vissing, how many millions have the taxpayers paid in lawsuits since your tenure on the council?
Also, are you advocating secrecy? The problem with government is LACK OF TRANSPARENCY!!!! Closed door meetings and discussions etc.
The Republicans are suppose to be the party of transparency! So I get that you may be a proponent of secrecy. This is typical... You know pass the bill to know what's in the bill type stuff.
The Chairman of the local Republican Party has definitely set the standard.
This is simply exploitation of the 'freak factor' that jail inmates present. Dysfunctional human beings, thrown in a cage with other dysfunctional people. Watched over by arguably other dysfunctional people.
ReplyDeleteFreak show value. We can ask this question: Is there anything worthwhile to be learned
from this show?
If there is, please tell us what it is. Judging only by the trailers, it looks like
simple exploitation.
Yeah I would like to know what motivated Noel to do this. What was the reasoning and just what was the determining factor ???
ReplyDeleteI guess we will find out when it airs, but knowing how these reality shows operate count me as skeptical ...
The Sheriff runs the jail. As in this case, the council really has no power to stop something like this especially when we are not privy to this exercise.
ReplyDeleteWe can yell and scream, but at the end of the day, Noel was elected by the people of Clark County.
He broke no laws, that I am aware of. As I said earlier, the same thing could have been accomplished by hiring someone to spend a week or three in the jail incognito who is a consultant trained and insured by his company.
The Council provides funding for the jail. The Sheriff does not work for the council. The Sheriff works for the citizens of Clark County.
ReplyDeleteI'm a pragmatist when it comes to my job on the council. One of our council members mentioned concerns at a Commissioners meeting. That makes for good reading in the newspaper, but that's about all that will come of that. It is an election year for that person .......remember that.
If a lawsuit comes of this, the voters can have their say at the next election. The council cannot de-fund the jail over this. Thanks HT for bringing up dialogue on this subject.
Kevin makes a good point the council as the fiscal body funds the various Dept. heads such as the sheriff... the council does not dictate policy or control anything other than finances.
ReplyDeleteMy thought is Noel should have taken this before the County Commissioners beforehand as they are the executive body of Co. government, and also the County attorney should have been informed to explore any possible legal ramifications that could apply...
Thanks everyone for their comments, as expected there are a wide range of feelings about Sheriff Noel...
I thought only executives had the authority to sign contracts? That would be the commissioners ONLY.
ReplyDeleteI could be wrong, but I think the sheriff gets to act as executive of things his department oversees.
ReplyDeleteA couple of thoughts on Sheriff Noel:
ReplyDelete1. Saturday before the election in November,2014, I received a glossy postcard ad in the mail which showed the candidate/Sheriff in a suit and tie, sitting at a table with ex-govenor Daniels, with a caption to the effect "Jamey Noel knows business". On the other side, there was a photo (I believe) of him standing by the ammo plant, with a printed message about the next Sheriff needing to be able to deal expanding "business" as the new bridge opens and businesses expand into the area. I don't disagree with the general proposition on the mailer, but it looked more like an ad for someone running for Congress than our local Sheriff. Made me wonder about his long range plans, and how he intended to go about his business as Sheriff. (Insert raised eyebrow here).
2. Without seeing the contract, it would be difficult to see how the Sheriff could agree to allow fights to occur without intervention to prevent injuries, etc. The liability would be huge if the Sheriff's office stood by while watching as someone was being injured or killed in the jail because it made for good t.v. I find it hard to believe that this is what the contract actually said, and how it was handled. If so, the county will be sued, and whether the commissioners or council knew about it will not be a defense to a huge liability mess. Thanks goodness no one was killed, if the corrections staff was purposely letting inmates fight for t.v. because of such a contract. The Sheriff's attorney is Tom Lowe, and I find it hard to believe that he would have allowed his client to sign such a contract.
Not sure where that rumor started, but I agree..."there is no way the contract said that"
DeleteWell..unless a request by the citizens is made, to see the contract, we likely won't know what's in it. In the spirit of transparency, perhaps the Sheriff will use some of the 60K and have it printed and available for pickup at the government building. I too would like to see it.
ReplyDeleteA&E have put the promo for the show into heavy rotation. You cannot watch any show on that network now without seeing Noel's face at least twice. Looks like we have our very own Kardashian down at the jailhouse!
ReplyDeleteThe jail was allowed a representative to be present during all filming "provided that Facility's representative shall not interfere with and/or hinder Producer's schedule and/or taping of the Episode," according to the contract.
ReplyDelete."The show agreed to then reimburse the county for the representative's base salary and overtime costs related to the filming of the show. Noel said public information officer Capt. Scottie Maples acted as the facility's representative."
http://www.newsandtribune.com/news/clark-county-jail-to-use-tv-show-money-for-upgrades/article_9cffa6e6-d68b-11e5-b6eb-b77746866bd7.html
THE JAIL WAS ALLOWED A REPRESENTATIVE TO BE PRESENT DURING ALL FILMING "PROVIDED THAT FACILITY'S REPRESENTATIVE SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH AND/ OR HINDER PRODUCER'S SCHEDULE AND/ OR TAPING OF THE EPISODE," ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACT.
ReplyDeleteScott Maples was/ is the jail Representative.
I hear tell that an open records request has been made for all text messages made between Maples and A & E reps.
Aren't the inmates always on camera? What type of injury are you proposing could have occurred as a result of them being "filmed"? I am sure that A&E work with well respected and experienced production companies. I would find it pretty hard to fathom they didn't make sure the insurance was in place before the first employee stepped through the door. Just my 2 cents.
ReplyDeleteI think the concern is that an employee did not intervene when inmates were fighting. However just Bc a representative could be present doesn't mean they always were. There is no way someone was there 24/7. And it would be stupid for an officer to go in alone.
ReplyDelete