Our family has lived in Lake County for almost four decades. During that time we have seen many sheriffs come and go. Some have been competent, some effective and some merely functional. This election we have a chance to vote for someone exceptional.

We have known Brian Martin and his family a long time. We know of their dedication to the county and to its citizens. We are also entirely convinced of their honesty and character in every situation.

Brian is one of Lake County's many youthful success stories. He has achieved and excelled, not just in our county, but in areas outside of our boundaries.

The experience of positions held in other areas has given him a greater understanding of governance and administration, as well as the knowledge of components necessary to building a successful and effective law enforcement office, responsive to the attitudes and opinions of the community it serves.

In my conversations with Brian I have come away thoroughly impressed with his caring and respectful attitude for my own opinions, his willingness to hear others, and his carefully considered ideas about law enforcement's role in insuring the peace, safety and prosperity of all of its citizens.

After all, the sheriff's office represents much more than a simple code and law enforcement branch of county government. It must work effectively and efficiently in concert with many other agencies, departments, offices, business groups and citizens. It must have the trust and support of each and every one of those groups to function effectively.

While some sheriffs believe that their primary goal is law enforcement, they consistently underplay their importance as peace-keepers and community safety personnel, as well as the importance of their responsiveness to the day-to-day needs of the community at-large.

Brian knows the importance of communication, not only with the public and business community, but within the very doors of the office itself.

He understands the importance of shift briefings to maintain the continuity of reporting of issues and citizen needs during the day and night, understanding that these briefings provide officers with greater insight into community needs and insures that people will feel their personal concerns are being cared for and met.

The resulting trust and confidence between the populace and the office increases the effectiveness of every other component of law enforcement.

Brian also understands that law enforcement isn't accomplished by driving around in a vehicle and observing or responding after the fact.

He knows that only by expanding the number of personal contacts between his officers, citizens and businesses, will the relationship between the sheriff's office and the community be enhanced and community involvement grow to result in more peaceful, safe and prosperous neighborhoods.

Right now, Lake County is suffering a gross reduction in available officers and staffing problems are the most direct component contributing to crime and unsafe conditions facing the county and our people.

Until the citizens of Lake County understand how law enforcement best practices can benefit us all, we will remain unwilling to fund the office to achieve its highest potential. I believe Brian is the best equipped to educate the community to those realities.

Finally, I trust Brian to uphold our Second Amendment rights in a thoughtful and deliberative manner.

My own experience with the current office was less than acceptable and even after completing POST 832 standards and showing an employment opportunity my request for a concealed weapon permit was summarily denied before we even got to the Live-Scan background check portion of the process. The current office would not respond to my requests for clarification of the denial.

I know Brian's office would be much more transparent and open in its relationship with the people it is sworn to serve.

Please join myself and family in voting for Brian Martin for sheriff of Lake County.
 
James BlueWolf lives in Nice, Calif.