I would like to address Rodney Mitchell’s erroneous statements in his campaign ads in the Record-Bee.

Once again he has misrepresented my public statements concerning my plans to increase the size of patrol services and decrease response times to calls for service, particularly in our south county.

 

Mitchell: Some candidates for sheriff promise to double the size of the patrol force, or add lots of special units and positions … Of course that means a lot more patrol cars, training expenditures, increased office space and a lot of new equipment. Presumably, they’ll find it with magic fairy dust.

 

Jack Baxter: Perhaps you did not understand or chose to misinform the public as what I have repeatedly said.

 

I do intend to increase the size of the patrol force and reduce response times to calls for service. I do plan on making patrol more accessible to the community we service.

 

I will do so by reassigning personnel and responsibilities to make them more efficient, more accountable and make better use of what we have.

 

I did not say I would create lots of specials units. What I said is that I will evaluate each unit to combine tasks and responsibilities thus make them more efficient, accountable and successful.

 

This requires no additional cars, training expenditures, office space or new equipment. I will see to it that we work smarter and make better, more efficient use of the manpower and resources we have.

 

Magic fairy dust is not needed. I bring to the position of sheriff 38 years of professional law enforcement experience with the highest standards of education, and training, organizational leadership, with proven responsible sound management skills.

 

Many of us in Lake County are tired of Mitchell’s excuses for everything, repeatedly telling us why he can’t do things. I offer no false promises, no smoke and mirrors, no excuses and sadly, to quote Mitchell, no “magic fairy dust.” I have too much respect for law enforcement and the position of sheriff.

 

I join the community in wanting to know why the current sheriff is so resistant to change and new ideas.

 

Jack Baxter is a candidate this year for Lake County sheriff. He lives in Lakeport.