Editor, Times-Union: In a recent letter from Mr. Sam Whitaker, who is a candidate for sheriff, indicated that he was the person who was the decision maker on the functions he performed. I am retired from a management position with a large corporation, and also I have owned a business, and I know that an employee performs his or her duties as outlined by the person in charge. Mr. Whitaker is an employee of the sheriff's department and I am certain that what he does is done at the direction of the sheriff. For him to claim otherwise is a false claim. I do not question whether he performed his duties well. I just expect our public servants to be truthful and to take credit for just what is factual.
Fred R. Yohey Atwood
Read The Newspaper
Editor, Times-Union: Everyone in this county should read this newspaper, the Times-Union. Why? It is your duty, your obligation to read it. A well informed citizen can make - must make a better informed choice on who works and who doesn't work in county government. This is the paper of record of this county. If we are not well informed and do not get involved in all levels of government, we don't deserve the freedom it affords. The paper of record, the window of the county; shutter that window and we the people of the county, lose by default.
A judge has charged our paper with bias. I say nay. I don't think the editor would allow this. To do so would mean loss of credibility and vanished trust. Your honor, if we would just go back to the forum, I think it would clear the air - a defiled air at best.
Two of the candidates started (Mr. Hampton took a shot at Mr. Kolbe and Mr. Kolbe shot back and that continued all through the forum until the whole thing was shot full of holes - smells like Limburger and looks like Swiss) tearing the justice system apart in this county with unprofessional, unethical, unprovable accusations. A lady from Chapman Lake was right, those two lawyers in the forum should be spanked for their childish behavior.
Yes, Mr. Gerard, I agree. Negative campaigning does turn people off. Even worse, it helps destroy the office itself. Credibility is lost and hard to regain, by both!
In a letter to the Times-Union, dated April 15, I asked the county voters to consider some fresh air for the prosecutor's sheriff's office. At the time and during the forum, I saw in Mr. Waggoner, credibility, character, integrity and a sense of calm. Calm must be brought back to that office. I think if you could put Mr. Waggoner on one cup of the scale of justice and the other two on the other cup, Mr. Waggoner would far outweigh them both with his enforcement experience and law experience. Weigh it for yourself. If we lose this man for prosecutor, the county has lost indeed.
Again, in lieu of the sheriff and captain, why would any county want to put anyone in that office other than the lieutenant? Why anyone with less experience? Again like Mr. Waggoner, Lt. Knispel is by far the better choice for sheriff. Let us not put a man in that office with far less experience and far fewer achievements than Lt. Knispel.
The sheriff's job consists of more than just patrol work. I doubt that hanging around the jail or office qualifies one for sheriff, even if it was from childhood. As I stated, nepotism does not season a man for this important job. But if Mr. Rovenstine should wait for next time and win on merit, that would not be nepotism, that would be trust!
Again, I ask, please let's all use calm and fill these two important jobs by using well informed votes. Yes, Mr. Gerard, how many days until I can get back to our proposed animal ordinance - friends of Fido await.
Herschel Rainwater Warsaw
Prosecutor's Race
Editor, Times-Union: For months now we've followed the local race for prosecutor. It appears that there are two candidates embroiled in a mudslinging campaign who are more concerned with the failings of each other than with the job at hand (Dave Kolbe and Dan Hampton). A third candidate (Chuck Waggoner) always appears to rise above the controversy with solid facts and qualifications for the job. It also appears that whenever the three candidates are interviewed the two candidates (Kolbe and Hampton) have nothing but admiration and respect for Chuck Waggoner. His qualifications have never been challenged in a negative way.
In these days when most campaigns lack honest, qualified candidates, it appears there is only one candidate for prosecutor, Chuck Waggoner.
Todd and Paulette Davis Warsaw
Volunteer Appreciation
Editor, Times-Union: The week of April 13-17 was observed as Volunteer Appreciation Week at Akron Elementary School. On behalf of everyone associated with the school, I would like to thank each and every one of our volunteers for the valuable services they provide. Our volunteer program began four years ago with a group of 24 dedicated individuals and has grown to include over 50 parents, community members and high school students. The assistance provided to the school by volunteers is essential in making Akron Elementary School the best it can be for the students of our community.
I would also like to thank Mr. David Fincher of DeBruler Studio in Rochester for volunteering his time and resources to photograph our volunteers for the traditional volunteer group picture.
Brett R. Boggs Principal, Akron Elementary School
Whitaker Defended
Editor, Times-Union: I guess that you feel that if "your candidate" is losing the election, you write a letter and accuse another candidate of having no integrity.
The incident that Brumfield talked about happened two years ago. I ask why you waited until now to "inform the voters?" I have heard rumors that Jennifer's husband Doug is going to be Aaron's captain. Jennifer, this isn't politically motivated, is it?
Whitaker has told his supporters many times that his campaign was not going to use smear tactics to win. Obviously, supporters of other candidates do not have the same policy. Whitaker's campaign signs are even being stolen.
I was with Whitaker when the information about juvenile drinking was taken to the school. Whitaker did speak with Jennifer Brumfield, after he was told by the sheriff and prosecutor that he should take the information to the school. Whitaker gave Jennifer a sealed envelope, and told her that he was concerned that Coach Rhodes and Athletic Director Fulkerson would think he was giving the information to the school because his son was cut from the basketball team. Whitaker told Jennifer she had the information and it was her decision on what to do with it, as he did not want to be falsely accused of something exactly as you are doing now!
Jennifer, you stated that the information had to be put on Paul Crousore's desk. The sealed envelope was typed notes of an informal interview with two of the juveniles that Whitaker and another officer had spoke to. There were no signatures on the document, and it was not a report! It was just information that was obtained. Do "athletic codes" for the school only apply to certain athletes? Whitaker did type the notes, but this is not unusual, since the majority of the paperwork was done by Sam. Jennifer, the athletic department and David Fulkerson investigated for corruption! I'll take a polygraph on that statement, will you?
After 23 years on the department, my personal integrity believes that: "Those who live in glass house, should not throw stones." Jennifer, you have challenged Sam and his integrity. You say that you can die with a clear conscience because you have integrity. Let's explore your "house," and why you were dismissed as director of MultiTownship EMS.
Did Sheriff Rovenstine know Aaron was running for office at the time of the school incident? When I asked him why he was shutting down the drug unit, Sheriff Rovenstine stated he was catching a lot of "heat." I then asked, "Did I do anything wrong?" and he stated "no." "Did Sam do anything wrong?" "No." "Then why?" And Rovenstine said, "Sometimes you just got to do what you got to do." It still bothers me that the politics of basketball of Warsaw was more important than underage drinking.
Integrity is not something that you can say you have. It is something that you build over years. And believe me, Sam Whitaker has it!
Gerry Moser North Webster
Hampton Helped His Mom
Editor, Times-Union: Character plays an important part in choosing our public officials. I feel that the public should know the type of person Dan Hampton is.
Dan's mother, Bonnie, was a dear friend of mine. When she was dying of cancer, Dan stayed home from law school to help take care of her. He sat with her during the day, then worked for the Warsaw Park Department at night.
So in addition to character, integrity, experience, morals and loyalty, let's add compassion.
I believe in Dan Hampton. I urge you to vote for this fine young man.
