Source: San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune (CA) Pubdate: Friday, 17, July 1998 Section: Entertainment Contact: http://sanluisobispo.com/stories/0798/sheriff.html Author: Danna Dykstra - Telegram-Tribune WILLIAMS ACCEPTS WILSON APPOINTMENT TO STATE BOARD OF PRISON TERMS SLO COUNTY -- Sheriff Ed Williams has been appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson to the State Board of Prison Terms, a career move that will require Williams to vacate his long-held county position five months early. Williams, 61, of Avila Beach, said Thursday he will leave office Aug. 2 to begin his new job, pending state Senate confirmation of the appointment. Williams, who was first elected San Luis Obispo County's sheriff in November 1986, announced in March he would not seek a fourth term. He said he had intended to remain in office until his term expires in January, but that won't be possible with his new position, which begins Aug. 3. Chief Deputy Nick Marquart will serve as interim sheriff for the remainder of Williams' term. A November election will decide whether sheriff's Lt. Pat Hedges or San Luis Obispo Police Chief Jim Gardiner will be the county's new sheriff. Williams said he is looking forward to his new four-year, full-time post that pays $87,305 annually. The job allows him to remain in San Luis Obispo County but will require travel to the 19 prisons throughout the state. The nine commissioners oversee parole hearings and decide whether inmates eligible for parole should be released. Commissioners must reapply for the positions every four years. "I've said before I wasn't fully ready to retire and that I was looking for something different," said Williams. "While other suggestions have been made that involved going to Sacramento, I wouldn't take a job if it required moving out of the county." A Governor's Office spokesman said Thursday Williams was chosen for his "vast law enforcement experience" and active involvement in state law enforcement associations. "The governor looks for integrity and knowledge of the issues when making these appointments -- and Sheriff Williams has both," said spokesman Ron Low. "Sheriff Williams has an exemplary background that will serve him well in his new position." Williams leaves office with his reputation as a successful administrator intact. He won his first stint as San Luis Obispo County sheriff by a relatively slim margin. In 1990 he ran opposed. Williams handily defeated his only opponent in 1994, correctional technician Dan York. Williams came to a department repeatedly assailed with charges of alcohol problems, a "good old boy" network, sexual discrimination and more. He is widely credited with cleaning up the problems and, at the same time, promoting higher standards. Since taking office, Williams has initiated several high-profile programs, including DARE, Crime Prevention, the Gang Task Force and the Cal-ID system, which enables law enforcement agencies countywide to identify suspects through a computer network. Williams began his law enforcement career in 1958 with the Los Angeles Police Department, where he rose to the rank of sergeant. He left Los Angeles for the Palm Springs Police Department, where he was promoted to lieutenant before being hired in 1980 as Pismo Beach's police chief. Williams has served on executive and advisory boards of several state law enforcement associations and organizations, including both the California and Western States Sheriffs' associations. He served on the Attorney General's Advisory Council on Law Enforcement Issues, among other high-profile panels. Interim Sheriff Marquart described Williams as "a very good boss" who has been good for the department. "He has brought this organization ahead, he has prepared us for the next century," said Marquart. "I would like to see that focus continue through the short interim, and hopefully continue with whoever the next sheriff will be." Marquart started his career with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office as a deputy in 1973. He was promoted through the ranks to chief deputy in 1991. Marquart said he doesn't anticipate any sweeping changes while he's at the helm. "We will continue to move ahead with filling vacancies and movement of personnel," he said. "We will do what has to be done. (Five) months is too long to stagnate." - --- Checked-by: "Rich O'Grady"