Sheriff's candidate Francisco Rivero appeals to the emotions of this county – racial discrimination, inmate abuse, officers not fit to hold office, the veterans in this county, the poor, the elderly, the children – it goes on. In last Saturday’s edition of the Record-Bee, Mr. Rivero stated, that Sheriff Rod Mitchell “dismantled the drug task force, an undercover group that was effective in fighting drug crimes.” The drug task force was disabled because of a failure on the state level, Mr. Rivero.

I might note, also, in Saturday’s issue of the Record-Bee, both Rivero and another sheriff's candidate, Jack Baxter, are quick to criticize Sheriff Mitchell and the way he has run/runs the sheriff’s department rather than to stand on their own solid reasons for why they are candidates worth considering for the position. I thought that was interesting, even though in Sheriff Mitchell’s commentary, he only stated his love for this county, for the department and for his profession as a police officer rather than putting down candidates running in opposition to him for this important position.

In addition, to Candidate Rivero: You’ve been in this county for three years and you have all the answers for Lake County? How do you plan to fund your promises, given the current state of this county’s financial budget – more sheriff’s substations, staff to more closely address child and elder abuse, mental health solutions for veterans and the poor in this county so they are not “victimized” by the sheriff’s department?

I encourage all intelligent, aware citizens of this county to vote for Sheriff Rodney Mitchell.

Mr. Mitchell has served as sheriff of this county for the past 16 years. Well, I say, more power to you, Sheriff Mitchell – you have done a fine job and will continue to do so, continually adding to your ability to serve us, as citizens, to protect our safety.

You have the experience, the judgment, the knowledge, the finesse of a job well done. You have admirably served as our sheriff, have taken care of your wife who, for years, has been stricken with an unfair illness, have personally aided me in my pursuit of a restraining order against a former violent offender/San Quentin inmate.

There is a lot wrong with this county, and I can personally testify to that, but in regard to our Lake County Sheriff’s Department, we must admire and vote for Sheriff Mitchell to continue doing the fine job he has been doing.

Again, as a citizen of this county, Sheriff Mitchell, I applaud you, and you have my vote in June!

Melissa Bentley lives in Cobb.