Jail assault highlights candidate inadequacies

To The Eagle:

Wahkiakum County needs a Sheriff who is action oriented and ready to make real changes. The alleged assault in the Wahkiakum County jail happened on July 16 and the inmate was not given medical care until four days later, on the 20th. Further, the public was not notified of this incident until the September, 25, 2010 article in The Daily News.

Jon Dearmore has the word accountability listed as part of his platform on his website, and yet he failed to be accountable to the citizens when this incident occurred. What else are they not telling us? I believe that the citizens should have been notified immediately that the incident occurred, who was involved, and what, if anything, was being done to prevent another incident.

We need a Sheriff that works on behalf of the people. Troy Norris has been volunteering in emergency services in Wahkiakum County for over 12 years because he has a sincere desire to serve the citizens of the county. He will serve the people with real accountability and integrity. He is open to discuss the issues and will answer any questions that you ask him.

Jon Dearmore has been undersheriff for eight years and hasn’t implemented his ideas, such as town hall meetings and a physical fitness program. Why would the next four years be any different? He has also done little to address the issues facing the Sheriff's office in his campaign.

The citizens deserve honesty, fairness, and accountability from their law enforcement. Troy is the hardworking, dedicated leader that the people of Wahkiakum County need.

Laura Blain

Grays River