Wednesday, April 7, 2004
|
Wednesday, April 7, 2004 |
| Letter: Dunn speaks out about sheriff Your article dated March 31, “County seeks more control of sheriff,” could easily cause your readers to misunderstand the seriousness and purpose of the Board of Commissioners’ letter to Sheriff Johnson. Perhaps if you had published our letter, your readers would understand the issues more clearly. I offer a few issues to clarify: • The fact that all five Commissioners who respect Sheriff Johnson and his accomplishments and who cumulatively have over 30 years experience as county commissioners would all sign the letter to Sheriff Johnson should indicate that our position is neither mean-spirited, nor frivolous. There are serious issues which must be addressed for the good of all our citizens and taxpayers. • There is absolutely nothing we have asked the Sheriff to do which in any way interferes with his legally mandated operational law enforcement duties and responsibilities. The Board of Commissioners has the legal responsibility to manage all county facilities and property and to account for all county funds whether received from taxes or confiscations. We are also responsible to our citizens for the development and proper execution of the entire county budget. Certain administrative practices in the Sheriff’s Department inhibit the board from properly performing our legally mandated functions. As concisely as I can say it: the Board of Commissioners does not and will not interfere with the legally mandated duties of the Sheriff in any way. We are simply asking the for the Sheriff’s cooperation in eliminating those practices which interfere with the legally mandated duties of the board. • On a personal note, I am surprised and disappointed that Sheriff Johnson has chosen to launch personal insults towards me in our local newspapers. These ‘ad hominem’ attacks appear to be designed to divert the public’s attention from the serious legal issues involved. Unfortunately, this is an all too familiar tactic in modern American politics. The Board of Commissioners has not and will not insult or misrepresent anyone as we proceed to ensure all parties comply with all federal, state and county laws and regulations. Greg Dunn Fayette County Commission Chairman
| ||