SHERIFF MARK TRACY RETIRES S.S.

THE SHERIFF OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY WILL BE LEAVING THAT OFFICE SOON. SHERIFF MARK TRACY SUBMITTED HIS LETTER OF RETIREMENT TODAY. AFTER 33 YEARS IN ?PUBLIC SAFETY?, HE SAID HE PLANS TO LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 1ST OF 2004. CHIEF DEPUTY STEVE ROBBINS, OF THE SHERIFF?S OFFICE, HAS APPROACHED THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, AND REQUESTED APPOINTMENT TO THAT POST. THE SUPERVISORS SAY THEY WILL EMBARK ON A PUBLIC PROCESS TO FILL THE OPEN SEAT ON AN INTERIM BASIS. THE NEXT ELECTION FOR THE SHERIFF?S JOB IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN 2006.