Elect Sheriff Shane Nelson

Sisters depends upon the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office for its law-enforcement services - from patrol to criminal investigation to animal control. We need to be sure that those law-enforcement services are in sure, steady hands.

That makes it an easy decision to support the election of Shane Nelson as Deschutes County sheriff.

Nelson inherited some bad actors and negative circumstances involving various forms of misconduct when he was appointed to the office by retiring sheriff Larry Blanton. His forthright and effective handling of those situations indicates that he is committed to fixing what is wrong with the department - and capable of swift, effective action to do the hard right thing.

The overwhelming 94-2 vote of confidence Nelson received from the sheriff's office employees association is evidence that the personnel there believe that the troubled agency is now on the right track.

Eric Kozowski is to be commended for his willingness to step up to challenge an appointed incumbent, but the campaign has demonstrated that he is in no way prepared to take on the varied and complex duties of sheriff. He has not held leadership positions in law enforcement, nor has he sought out education and training for management and leadership roles.

That lack of preparation for the job means that he is not a viable choice.

Nelson recognizes that his agency faces multiple challenges in a rapidly growing and changing Deschutes County. He has the strategic vision and the administrative skills to meet them. The voters should provide him with a mandate to continue the work.

Jim Cornelius

News Editor