Need info for primary race

May 19, 2008 09:48 am

— Dear Editor,
With the Sheriff’s race rapidly approaching, the primary being June 3, 2008, there are voids that need to be filled with regard to information relating to candidates.
The incumbent, Sheriff Gary Anderson’s exemplary qualifications and experience are indeed documented and already on public record.
However, Matt Messamaker is virtually unknown (even among his supporters, who supposedly cannot even spell his name correctly on posted signs).
We, as voters, need questions answered in order to make an informed decision at Primary on June 3, 2008; therefore, we urge Mr. Messamaker to release, in print, to the newspaper, the following information to voters.
Also, we, as voters, know that there are many qualifications needed to be a sheriff, three of which are particularly important. Experience and extensive knowledge of law enforcement, physical fortitude, and management capabilities.
We are requesting what type of law enforcement experience and where it was served and time frame of same and why is he not currently serving in this capacity?
Is his history conducive to the physical duties that are necessary in performing as sheriff?
What management qualifications does he possess? How many management positions has he held, with whom and for what length of time?
Also, where did he receive his extensive knowledge of law enforcement, and is this knowledge updated periodically, and if so, how, since significant changes occur constantly?
The same questioning applies to Mike Barber, as well.
These are all pertinent questions that we, as voters, have a qualified right to ask and hopefully will be treated with same respect in candidates answering publically in the paper before June 3.

Kathy Cooprider
Centerville