Letter of endorsement for Michael Lanford , This year Sierra County is fortunate to have two fine professional Law Enforcement officers seeking election to become the Sheriff of Sierra County. Both candidates are loyal, honorable, dedicated and tenured men who are respected throughout the County. Sierra County is ethically and morally bankrupt. As a County, we have historically voted on party lines or voted on the lines suggested by the “good old boy” network as a means of keeping the thing the way they have been. For the past several decades we are now able to clearly discern that the old way of doing things has failed us all and matters seemingly become worse than ever before. The most important voice to listen to is the voice of the minority. The minority are citizens who make a discussion balanced, thought provoking and transparent. The minority are our social conscious who ask the tough questions and demand respectful accurate answers the minority have civic pride, only ask for matters to be done correctly, are intelligent to spot ethic violation and continue to bring such ugly matters into the transparent world where informed persons can deal with such accordingly. Ask yourself this question. Why has our County population decreased from 13,270 to 11,988 (2010) (New Mexico Department of Labor Demographics for Sierra County)? The County population declined by 9.7% between 2000 and 2010 while New Mexico grew by 13.2%. Basically, the answer is that we all have failed to pull the rope in the same direction for success. As a matter of fact, it takes fine schools, good medical facilities, good County management and governance and a good Sheriffs Department which collectively earns a good County-wide reputation. A good community reputation, which is earned through consistent ethical good management and hard work will, overtime, attract people from away who want to live in a community without the County effortlessly embarrassing its residents. A well regarded community attracts new capital investment. The good reputation of a county attracts employment. A good reputation assuredly contributes to an increase in GRT and new property ownership contributes to an increases in Sierra County property tax revenues. Spaceport America landed in Sierra County. This is huge by my reckoning and we, as a County, can benefit from this opportunity if we can get our collective acts together to build a fine County reputation which in turn grows our future. What is essential for our County voters is to make an informed decision as to which candidate would serve our County in the best way possible. It is not about a candidate making a promise to return phone calls it’s all about who has the most experience to manage the Sheriff’s Department to a high professional standard. Leadership evolves from experience. To be “book wise” is not enough for the inexperienced to be regarded as experienced. More often than not the “book” fails to cover most real-life scenarios. How can anyone grow with experience if they spend much of their day preserving their own job? Those who I define as being experienced in law enforcement are those who ate, slept and lived the real world of social disrespect and discord and daily, serve and protect a community to high standards. A Sheriffs management skills are of utmost importance. To manage the Department the new Sheriff must first be able to build a worthwhile consensus with our County Commissioners. In turn, the Commissioners must ardently work with the Sheriff without controversy. Next, attend to the omnipresent low morale of the Department, and with Commissioner Consensus building led by the new Sheriff, the department will have new affective direction concerning human resource matters with officer retention as the core focus. A candidate who owns and successfully operates a number of businesses, which are regarded as well managed and successful enterprises can bring this vital experience into civic affairs. Managing the books of the department is almost identical to overseeing the books of a company. What is important is to look beyond the confines of our County and engage the wider field of grant application where external federal and state monies will assist the County. One of our candidates has a proven successful track record in this matter, the other does not. Consensus-building is important. Of utmost importance is getting off of our collective bottoms and vote. It’s not about being a Democrat, Independent or Republican it’s about you and me and the privacy of the voting booth. There is nothing wrong in voting against party line items. It has everything to do with one of the most precious precepts of being an American citizen- our right to vote as we see fit. My vote this year is a difficult one. Both candidates are truly wonderful Law Enforcement officers. One candidate has clearly more experience than the other. I will cast my vote for the more experienced and that is why I will vote to elect Michael Lanford for Sierra County Sheriff. Many thanks, Chris Christopher Ashcroft Managing Red Rock Ranch E: chris@------nm BSR-NM Monticello, NM 87939
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 03:32:23 +0000
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