Tom Rummel is a sheriff you can depend on

Editor,

At the candidates’ forum held in Thompson Falls, candidate for Sheriff Darlene Lee stated in her closing remarks that she has “a medical retirement from the Montana Highway Patrol.” My initial thought was if she is medically (disability) unable to work for MHP how can she be able to work as a sheriff? When the forum was over, I asked her.

She stated that the sheriff’s job is an “administrative” position and that her disability would not affect her performance. I told her that Sanders County has a working sheriff and not confined to the office. Her response was that our sheriff rarely is out of the office. Wrong. Case in point, our sheriff Tom Rummel was called out the preceding night of the forum from around midnight and returning home the following morning about 7:30 for a homicide in Dixon. How about the hours upon hours assisting county residents during fire evacuations? Or the many times when back-up is required in assault cases, drug busts, etc. Sanders County Sheriff deputies and residents must be able to depend on a sheriff who is physically fit enough that will not put all concerned in jeopardy. If Lee is disabled enough to not be able to perform the duties required for the MHP, she is most certainly not able to be a working sheriff for our county.

On top of all that, try contacting Lee by phone. No listing. Want to call Sheriff Tom Rummel? Look in the phone book. He is available to all residents. I will vote for Tom Rummel, an award-winning sheriff who I can depend on and is available when I need him.

Greg Hinkle,

Thompson Falls