Endorsement: Lewis Blanchard, Sheriff

Editor:

As a concerned citizen of Columbia County for many decades, I feel the need to write this letter expressing my disappointment in our present Sheriff, Clay Whittle.

I have lived through several law enforcement administrations, and I honestly feel Whittle takes the cake when it comes to ignoring and overlooking the needs of the black community. We are not taken seriously when we ask for help.

I'm a minister in the area and I have people calling me day and night complaining about how bad the drug and gang problems have become and no one in the sheriff's office seems to care or be doing anything about it. We are tax-paying citizens who feel very much second-class citizens living in our own hometown. The only time we actually see a patrolman in our area is when we call the police station. Our areas should be included in the regular patrol route as many others have been.

This is a good example of how bad things have gotten. Yesterday while shopping in the grocery store, a lady came up to me and asked that we pray right there in the grocery store, because the drugs had gotten so bad in her area and the sheriff department wasn't doing anything about it. It appears they know who all the players are, but no arrests have been made.

I truly feel a change is in order, and therefore, I'm appealing to all voters of this county to elect a person who has the concerns and needs of all citizens to heart. I'm giving my support and urging all of my fellow citizens to support Lewis Blanchard on July 20.

Rev. Alice Dunn