To the Editor:

In response to Mark Miller’s question in last week’s paper, I would like to share some facts and opinions.

Fact No. 1: Glenn Palmer is the former John Day fire chief, and his duties included operating a budget.

Fact No. 2: Glenn Palmer has been our sheriff for eight years, operating and maintaining a budget.

Fact No. 3: Glenn Palmer has through hard work and dedication brought in more revenue than any other sheriff in our history.

Fact No. 4: Mike Durr was a patrol officer, game officer, and detective. No budgetary experience.

Fact No. 5: The first year Glenn was elected, he made a long-term commitment to the citizens of Grant County to serve the citizens first and foremost.

As to the question of experience, Glenn has been in law enforcement for 20-plus years. He has two major open cases, the Bachtold case and the Vance Creek homicide.

I question Mike Durr’s experience as a competent leader, recalling that he drove into an ambush after being told not to do so, and he was unfortunately shot. The public was allowed to believe a sheriff’s deputy shot him until the attorney for the later-convicted man, Willie Hinton, actually found the bullet.

In a separate incident that began with a routine traffic stop, a man who was suicidal eventually committed the act. Although tragic, it was said that Mike Durr, who was involved in the negotiations, broke down. Is he ready to lead? I think not.

Let’s keep Grant County in Grant County. Re-elect Sheriff Palmer.

Sam Palmer

John Day