Letter to the Publisher,

I was shocked to learn the sheriff was leaving office early, and prayed it was unrelated to health reasons and instead for unanticipated circumstances. Given this was not the case, I was disappointed to hear his early resignation included a request to offer what amounts to a political advantage for the candidate he endorsed in the upcoming race.

I’ve been told the county can either fill the sheriff’s position by special election or Board of Supervisors appointment. But as a county voter and taxpayer, I’m adamantly opposed to a special election.

Our county can ill afford the cost of a special election given our 12 vacant deputy positions, significant budget reductions to the sheriff’s budget, cuts to mental health care, the need to protect the health of our children against H1N1, pending state prisoner release, homelessness, loss in property tax revenue, and our depressed economy.

Instead, I ask for the appointment of an interim sheriff, but not one of the candidates seeking election as sheriff. No candidate should be granted an unfair advantage in this race, and it should be voters who decide which candidate is best educated, trained, and experienced; along with the tenacity, integrity, vision, and leadership strength to be our next sheriff.

Stan Perez,

El Dorado County sheriff’s candidate and retired California Highway Patrol chief