Opinion : Letter to the Editor: Support for Ted Paxton

Dear Editor,

In 1998, I met a small-town Police Chief who understood what community policing was before community policing was an expectation. This Chief of Police knew how to make a budget stretch and oftentimes to get those things he needed and wanted, he would have to work a little harder, go farther and negotiate to get them.

Then sadly, this small town Police Chief moved on to work for a bigger department, worked his way through the ranks and became the Eldora Police Chief. He recruited great officers, built lifelong relationships and made a lasting impact on the community. After accomplishing all that he could at the time, he sought out another opportunity to improve a police department in need and became the Vinton Police Chief.

And now the opportunity has presented itself for my friend and mentor to take the next step and use all that he has learned throughout his career to improve the next law enforcement agency, the Benton County Sheriff's Office.

Both candidates running for Sheriff agree there is room for improvement. Only one candidate has over two decades of executive experience working through personnel issues, budget processes and improving every agency he has worked for and touched.

Ted Paxton's experience provides him a broad spectrum of perspectives from which to analyze current issues facing the Benton County Sheriff's Office. Ted's experience and accomplishments are without a doubt his greatest asset and his willingness to strategically and methodically address areas of concern within the sheriff's office are more than a campaign slogan.

Ted has created a police department ready to thrive without him should he be elected Sheriff and if elected Sheriff, I am confident will do the same for the future staff of the Benton County Sheriff's Office.

I am proud to encourage every Benton County voter to support Ted Paxton for Sheriff. You are voting for an experienced leader with a history of fiscal responsibility and accomplishments.

Respectfully,

Jon Thomas