As a newly relocated resident of Lake County, I am writing this letter in support of Jack Baxter, candidate for sheriff of Lake County.

I have known and been closely associated with Jack Baxter for over 20 years. During this time I have found him to be one of the most professional, dedicated and knowledgeable law enforcement officers I know.

With all the bad publicity, allegations of misconduct and racial discrimination and lawsuits, Lake County needs a sheriff it can be proud of. We need a sheriff with a clean law enforcement background, business skills and, most of all, leadership skills. We need a sheriff who has outside contacts that can add to the professionalism of the department. We need someone with good character that can lead by example.

The examples exhibited by opposing candidates and their staunch supporters lack truth, honesty and integrity. This race should be about trust. Can you trust them to do the right thing for the citizens of Lake County?

As voters can you trust the leadership, morals and ethics of anyone within the current Lake County Sheriff’s Office? Opposing candidates will never be able to piece back together this department that has been publicly torn to shreds by its members and this election.

Would either of the other candidates be able to pick up the pieces and regain respect within the community or within their department? Would candidates and deputies trust each other enough to keep working for the department no matter who wins, without reprisal, or are there more lawsuits on the horizon?

We need a sheriff who will provide the citizens of Lake County the service that we pay for with our taxes. We need a sheriff who is honest, professional and dedicated in his commitment to Lake County. We need a sheriff who can lead by example, with great work ethics and not sidetracked by politics. We need Jack Baxter as sheriff.

I am voting for Jack Baxter. It’s time for a change and the sheriff’s department needs to get back on the good side of the law. I urge the citizens of Lake County to elect Jack Baxter as sheriff of Lake County.

Joanie Steinmetz lives in Upper Lake.