Wednesday, November 6, 2002

Re: Helicopter purchase, sheriff's role defended.

Wow! I really ruffled some feathers just because I agreed with Commissioner Dunn's criticism of [the Fayette County] Sheriff's Department for not coordinating the helicopter purchase. My letter was in response to the article printed in The Citizen about the sheriff not coordinating the purchase with the commissioners.

I do not question the honesty and integrity of Sheriff Johnson. I commented about the facts as reported in the original article. I believe it was reported that one of the department's officers met with Commissioner Dunn.

According to Ms. Nagel's letter, the sheriff doesn't need commissioner approval to spend the money confiscated. If that's the case, then use confiscated money to fund the maintenance and upkeep of the helicopter instead of asking the taxpayers to fund it. Perhaps Ms. Nagle possesses an unlimited financial resource and doesn't worry about taxes.

I didn't complain about needing more personnel to enforce traffic in Fayette County. The sheriff complained. I observed the sheriff vehicles three consecutive days shooting radar on Peachtree Parkway.

I don't care how many tickets they write. If they are in Peachtree City, they can't enforce the laws in the county.

I am fully aware of the duties of the sheriff. I believe Fayette County has an excellent sheriff's department. However, there is always room to improve. I really don't need a lecture about these duties from Ms. Nagel.

I have expressed my opinion, which I am entitled to do. Anyone can agree or disagree with it. However, nobody is going to tell me to stop writing letters. I suggest Ms. Nagel seek training about freedom of expression. Enough on this subject.

Larry Robinson

Peachtree City