To the Editor:

According to the Grant County sheriff’s official website, the sheriff’s office “takes pride in the delivery of security to its citizenry to maintain a peaceful community,” and strives for “professionalism” with the goal of delivering the “highest quality service possible in Grant County.” The actions and affiliations of Sheriff Palmer over the past few years, however, call these statements into question. His most recent statements and actions with regard to the armed occupation of the Malheur Refuge by domestic terrorists, however, fly in the face of those goals.

If Sheriff Palmer does not believe that he can enforce the ordinances and laws of Grant County, the state of Oregon and the United States — which he clearly does not, given his support of the heavily armed thugs occupying Malheur (going so far as to invite them to Grant County) — then he should resign immediately. Frankly, I’m surprised he hasn’t, in good conscience, felt compelled to do so already, being, as he asserts, such a strict constitutionalist.

The sooner the better, please.

Susan Hayes

Glorieta, New Mexico

Editor’s note: The Eagle is not aware that Sheriff Palmer invited the refuge occupiers to Grant County. Tad Houpt, Canyon City, said he invited the occupiers to a lunch meeting attended by Palmer, who said he was unaware they would be there. Houpt also said he invited refuge occupiers to a planned meeting Jan. 26, which Palmer attended until shortly before it was scheduled to begin when news broke the occupiers had been arrested en route. Palmer has not responded to multiple requests for comment.