Hunt will increase rapport with other departments

I've known both of the Republican candidates for Aiken County sheriff for well over 20 years. During this time, including my 13 years as the Jackson chief of police, I've had an opportunity to assess their strengths and weaknesses. In my opinion, Lt. Mike Hunt of the Aiken Department of Public Safety is the best candidate.

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Lt. Hunt is a real "people person," has excellent communications skills and appreciates the law-enforcement challenges faced by the small towns and communities that dot our great county.

I believe that Lt. Hunt would increase the level of cooperation between the sheriff's office and the county's fire departments, the municipal police forces and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. He would also work to put more officers on the road at one time, thereby improving their response times to rural and more isolated communities.

Lt. Hunt is well qualified for the job. He has over 20 years of practical law-enforcement experience, tremendous management skills, positive working relationships with other law-enforcement agencies and plans for real reform. He's been honored and awarded repeatedly for his accomplishments, and has earned the endorsements of the Aiken County Association of Fire Chiefs, former Aiken Department of Public Safety Director Carrol Busbee and many other eminent law- enforcement veterans.

We'll all be better served if Lt. Mike Hunt is elected sheriff. He has my vote.

Dennis N. Rushton, Jackson, S.C.