Baca Takes New, Aggressive Edge Against Block

In an abrupt change of tactics, challenger Lee Baca came out swinging in Friday’s debate with longtime Sheriff Sherman Block.

The heretofore diffident and conciliatory Baca--a former aide to Block--accused the aging and ailing incumbent of being a “part-time, isolated sheriff” and criticized him for mismanagement, saying that Block has “stripped key units” and failed to adequately train deputies serving in county jails.

Block, clearly on the defensive, said he works 60 to 70 hours a week and that his thrice weekly dialysis is “not debilitating.”

Baca’s aggressive new critique, coupled with his willingness to offer detailed plans for change in the department, promise to give the campaign leading up to the November runoff a rougher tone and sharper focus than the June primary.

In his debate against the sheriff two weeks ago--their first encounter since Baca forced the 74-year-old Block into an unprecedented runoff--Baca was so unwilling to criticize Block that he refused even to answer questions about why he should be chosen as sheriff.

Not so on Friday, when the two met at the studio of Century Cable in Santa Monica.

Sporting a new haircut that eliminated the former “comb-over” approach to his bald spot, Baca appeared nervous before the debate began. He sat very stiffly and removed and replaced his eyeglasses as Block made the opening speech of the debate.

Block, who has served as sheriff for 16 years and is seeking his fifth term, initially attempted to steer the debate his way--citing his many years of experience in running the powerful, complex Sheriff’s Department.

“I hope to talk about experience,” Block said in his remarks. “I want to talk about accomplishments.”

The county needs a sheriff with political expertise, Block said, and cited the recent willingness of Gov. Pete Wilson to sign an appropriation for $800,000 for the department when other items were vetoed.

But when moderator Bill Rosendahl opened the floor to Baca, the challenger responded forcefully.

“The difference between myself and Mr. Block is that Mr. Block isolates himself,” Baca said. “We can no longer afford a part-time, isolated sheriff.”

Block, calling his job “hardly part time,” said he had purposely decentralized the huge department so that innovative captains would be able to run their divisions without inappropriate interference.

“They’re serving their communities very well,” Block said. “But they’re not in a vacuum.”

Baca also criticized the sheriff for a recent program under which new deputies are allowed to work in county jails after nine weeks of training.

“Whenever there are financial problems in the department, the first thing that stops is the training,” Baca said. He blamed recent instances of brutality in the jail on poor training.

Rosendahl, who tossed fairly tough, specific questions at both candidates, asked Block pointedly about his health.

“How are you feeling?” the moderator asked. “You’re on dialysis three times a week and you’ve had cancer twice.”

He also asked the sheriff about rumors that, if reelected, he might not serve out his entire term, providing he can hand-pick his successor.

“My health is good,” Block said. While undergoing dialysis for roughly three hours at a stretch, Block said, “I have a phone, I can read. . . . It’s no different from attending a meeting away from the office.”

Rosendahl then asked the sheriff to pledge publicly that he would serve his entire term.

“I will serve four years,” Block said.

After the debate, Baca’s campaign consultant said that the candidate’s new, more forceful approach was carefully planned.

“We raised the level today,” said Jorge Flores, Baca’s spokesman and advisor. “We made a very conscious decision to call his managerial style into question and his ability to lead the department [given] his failing health.”

Block’s campaign, meanwhile, accused Baca of flip-flopping--promising at one time not to attack the sheriff, and then proceeding to do just that.

“Just a few weeks ago he said he was not critical of the way the sheriff runs the department,” said Block spokesman Joe Scott, who handed out lists of what he said were contradictory comments by the candidate during the campaign. “Who is the real Lee Baca?”