Dear Editor:

I urge Columbia voters to re-elect Sheriff Walt Hessler and vote for Randy Lewis as County Prosecutor.

It was Deputy Mark Frank­lin, now running against the sheriff, who did not believe or understand the Constitution un­der

which citizens have the right to protect their own property and was stopping property owners at the end of 4th Street from tak­ing tractors to help prevent the notorious Dayton complex fire. We remember the horrendous outcome.

Franklin was Sheriff Bur­gland's undersheriff during that "regime" in another editorial by Clarance Bartlet of Dayton. Mark has never really fully supported the reforms of Walt Hessler. Bear in mind the sheriff's officehas a role to please every­one, but notice for the last four years things have gone relatively smoothly by having no giant newspaper headlines of depart­ment failures. In Walla Walla, the present sheriff decided to retire and three gentlemen decided to run. This was very honorable because it helped prevent inner conflict of loyalty within the office.Can you imagine what Dayton's deputies must be go­ing through?

A prominent, longtime busi­ness leader on Main Street stated that perhaps only two deputies would remain if Franklin were elected. There is no substitute for maturity and lifelong experi­ence that develops wisdom and understanding. Most deputies would resign first before run­ning against their boss unless he were serving out an appointed term.

This same maturity and in­sight applies to the prosecutor's race. Rea Culwell is only 37 and Randy Lewis is at least 20 years her senior. Randy has practiced law for 30 years, compared to Cul­well's seven years. Randy has a valid law license or judges Scott Marinella and William Acey would never allow him in the courtoom.

I first met Culwell at the Co­lumbia County Democratic fair booth four years ago. She also ran unopposed four years ago as a Democrat. Eastern Wash­ington is mostly Republican. This time, Culwell chose to run as a non-partisan. Could that be indecisiveness or deception? Help keep mature judgment in the public officesin Colum­bia County. Thank you again for voting for Walt Hessler and Randy Lewis.