Blanchard 'has rolled up his sleeves,' should be elected sheriff

Editor:

This letter is to publicly endorse Lewis Blanchard for sheriff of Columbia County. Although I no longer live in the state of Georgia, I previously worked and resided in Columbia County. This letter was not solicited nor choreographed by anyone other than myself.

I have in the past worked for both candidates and have a very strong opinion of who would best serve the citizens of Columbia County. I was employed by the Sheriff's Office for almost five years and worked for Sheriff Clay Whittle in his capacity as both chief deputy and sheriff. It was my experience that Whittle says one thing but does another.

I have also worked for Blanchard while employed by the Columbia County Board of Education Department of School Safety. Blanchard was an excellent boss. He rolled up his sleeves and actively participated in his agency. I honestly can't remember a single incident or time when he was unavailable to meet with, talk to or help out another officer. This also included any and all members of the Sheriff's Office.

Blanchard doesn't just give you lip service; he gives you action. He served as a reserve deputy to the Sheriff's Office and the Board of Education after leaving to start his own successful business. He has continued to donate his time, resources and money to the schools and his community whenever needed.

I want to strongly encourage all my friends and acquaintances in Columbia County to vote Lewis Blanchard as sheriff of Columbia County. Remember, just because you don't hear or read about problems at the Sheriff s Office, it doesn't mean they don't exist! Deputies are not at liberty to talk to anyone about internal problems.

Many people are of the opinion that if you don't like what is happening you should quit. That is nice in theory, but unlike teachers and other professionals, police officers don't get to transfer their time and experience to another agency. They would have to start at the bottom again. How many of you could afford to do that?

Roxanne E. Matthys

Cumberland, Wis.