Open letter to Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association President Gary Frace:

On Dec. 10 you notified me that the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA) was hosting a candidates’ night on January 11, 2010, at the Kelseyville High School. You invited me to debate Sheriff Mitchell and told me the audience would include members of the DSA, Lake County Correctional Officer’s Association, Lakeport Police, Clearlake Police, Lake County Probation Department and the District Attorney Victim-Witness program.

You added that the “press” would be invited, but the “public” would be excluded. Although I’m grateful for this opportunity, I’m bothered that you intend to exclude the community.

As law enforcement officers we are here to serve our community. We should be accountable to the citizens of Lake County who are collectively our employers. In order to restore the community’s trust, we must have transparency and open dialog, not closed-door backroom sessions.

The DSA should afford the people of Lake County the same respect afforded the members of law enforcement and invite them to this debate.

I believe excluding the community is a mistake and a step backwards for Lake County law enforcement’s public relations. I respectfully request that you reconsider.

Francisco Rivero is a deputy sheriff who is running for Lake County sheriff. He lives in Middletown.