How to save government money

To The Eagle:

We in Wahkiakum County have an excellent lesson on how to save large sums of public money. That is the Wahkiakum Sheriff’s office. Our Sheriff, Mark Howie, has expanded the practice of hiring deputies with experience needed in our county. Examples as follow.

Our new undersheriff, Steve Marshall, who is a certified rescue diver, certified swift water rescue diver, certified collision investigator and vehicle assault, command search and rescue investigations. He has 32 years experience in various phases of law enforcement in King and other counties. His training and experience could have cost the citizens of this county hundreds of thousands of unavailable funds (therefore we would not have had this asset).

Then we have Deputy Paul Carlson who is trained in narcotics investigation, patrol procedures, and was crime scene investigation officer of the year in Cowlitz County. All of this at no extra cost in time or money to our county.

Next we have Deputy Nathan McBride who is an ex-marine with seven years, four years in Barrow, Alaska with two years as sergeant, five years as correction officer with two years Corrections Corporal, Firearms Instructor Certified.

The hiring of experienced and trained officers has saved this county hundreds of thousands of dollars and thousands of man hours in training and supervision. These officers are ready to serve their community when they are hired.

These officers will come here because our community is an excellent place to live, raise a family and enjoy what this county offers. These officers will take less money to work here simply because this is a better place to live than King County, Alaska or Longview, thus saving this community and county money and time.

Congratulations to Sheriff Mark Howie for continuing this program and the restart of the citizens academy with the goal of bringing the Sheriff’s office closer to the community that it serves.

Mike Mouliot

Cathlamet