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With contract negotiations stalled since May in a ten-month fight over benefits and pay, President Glen Kitzmann of the Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Association has said that a strike, although possibly illegal, may be the only option left open to his membership if a contract is not concluded sometime in the near future. The acrimonious debate---which has involved critical ad campaigns and promises of upsets in county supervisor elections---stems from the county’s rejection of the union’s demands for a guarantee that their raises will mirror those in surrounding areas, and for the extension of improved retirement benefits for future employees to current employees. Although county officials have accused Kitzmann of being overly combative in running the ads and making the negotiations an election issue, the union’s membership---many of whom feel that they are being exploited by the local government---have repeatedly supported Kitzmann’s actions and recently reelected him unopposed.