Corbin post falls short

A recent social media post made by Huron County Sheriff Todd Corbin coupled with erratic responses to legitimate questions of public concern are themselves cause for concern. "It's with a heavy heart that I post this on Facebook. I want everyone to read this and know the truth. I am truly a man of faith. I believe in God in heaven and consequences for bad decisions. No person on God's earth is perfect. If you cut me, then I will bleed. I am no different than anyone else." He seems to be acknowledging "bad decisions," but Corbin claimed "numerous attacks on my character, my professionalism, my decisions." This is one fine mess of his own making, in our view. And, invoking God might create sympathy from a sympathetic audience, but the questions Corbin's been asked are not unreasonable. It's true he's being hammered on social media, but what's new about that? Everyone in the public eye is subject to unfair attacks, unfortunately. It's no excuse for lacking professionalism, and it does not excuse any sheriff from answering legitimate questions. What is he doing to locate Amanda Dean, a woman reported missing more than six years ago who Corbin has all along claimed is alive and safe? She has not been seen or heard from since then, and her family, including her young adult sons, hope to find her. Corbin, at every step, failed to follow standard protocols and professional guidelines back then for what a police agency is supposed to do when a person is reported missing. He failed this family, miserably. The sheriff was finally forced to re-open the missing persons case late last year after the Register reported about a nasty interaction he had with members of Dean's family. He initially refused the family's requests that he reopen Amanda's case. It's difficult to understand why, and Corbin is not, and hasn't been forthcoming. Since the start of the year, little is known about what, if anything, the sheriff is doing to find Amanda. He didn't say anything about any of all that in his post, which is a troubling read seemingly designed to change the subject away from that, and away from other management problems occurring at the sheriff's office, and to garner sympathy for himself. He also did not say anything about missing public records, suspended employees, stolen guns, fraudulent time worked, internal investigations, why he held onto internal reports he was required to release months ago, missing incident reports and other concerns raised about his management of the sheriff's office. Instead, he gives a meandering nonresponse. "You can find anyone that hates the person you hate to agree with you. The Klu Klux Clan, the Black Panthers, The Proud Boys, Skinheads, the list goes on," Corbin wrote. "Am I serving the people that have elected me? I am doing my absolute best. I can't please everyone, that's impossible! Am I doing my absolute best to serve? Only the citizens of Huron County know." This is no time for Corbin to have a pity party for himself. He should start answering questions, or find someone on his administrative staff who can.