To the Editor:

In response to Sam Palmer’s letter to the editor:

First of all, I have heard Mike Durr and his family say on numerous occasions that they want to keep this campaign clean; no mud slinging. Obviously, Glenn Palmer supporters do not.

Let’s talk about facts:

Fact #1 – Glenn Palmer was not elected; he was in an election race when his only opponent died of a massive heart attack (Sheriff Reusser).

Fact #2 – How big of a budget is there for a volunteer fire department? It is nothing to prepare you for a larger budget. So, basically, Sheriff Palmer had no experience with budgets.

Fact #3 – The jail may have brought in revenue however, Sheriff Palmer has been heard to say (actually in an article in the Blue Mountain Eagle) that if he had his way, there would be no jail at all. I wonder where would Sheriff Palmer’s revenue be then?

Fact #4 – Yes, Mike Durr has worked in every aspect of police work (has Sheriff Palmer?) and again, how much budget experience did Palmer have when he became sheriff, besides a volunteer budget?

Fact #5 – Which citizens does Sheriff Palmer serve?

And, Mr. Palmer, per your question of Mike Durr as a competent leader: You are recalling or being “told” he drove into an ambush, even though he was told not to do so and got wounded. I am curious Mr. Palmer, where you are getting your information, an inside source who wants votes. Mr. Durr was in charge at the command center in Mt. Vernon because the sergeant of the John Day Oregon State Police outpost was not available at the time and Mr. Durr’s sergeant from the Baker City OSP office was on his way. So, did Mr. Durr tell himself not to go into an ambush? And, by the way, what ambush? Mr. Durr was chasing Mr. Hinton out of town by vehicle, so the innocent townspeople of Mt. Vernon would not be in danger. Moreover, where did the attorney find this bullet? I believe that most of the bullet is still in Mr. Durr’s arm.

Last, but not least, Mike Durr’s “break down” in negotiations with a suicidal man: Where are you getting this fiction? Maybe he had a little bit of a hard time after the man killed himself, but after all, that just shows that Mr. Durr is human.

Mike Durr has proven time and time again that he is a leader, in any and all situations. Let’s give Grant County back to Grant County. For honesty and integrity, write in Mike Durr for Grant County sheriff. I know I will!