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"