Ward proposes Inmate Work Crew Program to benefit inmates and the community
Editor:
Regardless of the circumstances that may place someone behind bars, it is important to remember that once these men and women serve their time, they will one day find themselves back in society. It is in our best interest that they desire to become productive members of our community. One way in which we can facilitate this rehabilitation process is to instill a sense of responsibility and dignity. An Inmate Work Crew Program can be one such avenue, which I would like to implement.
Through this program, inmates who are carefully screened and qualified could have the opportunity to serve our community by picking up roadside litter, performing public landscaping projects, and engaging in required maintenance tasks that may otherwise go unaddressed throughout our community. Inmates could possibly earn “good time” for their work, thereby reducing time spent in incarceration and the county’s costs for incarceration.
Implemented properly, the Inmate Work Crew Program can be beneficial to both our community and to the inmate. It has the ability to instill a sense of pride in a job well done and ingrain in participants a work ethic that will benefit them and those they will eventually work with and for. It also has the benefit of utilizing assets and the skill sets they may possess in an efficient and effective manner, saving the community thousands of dollars in taxpayer money while removing refuse from our roads and helping provide necessary services to the county.
If elected sheriff, I believe that this program is one way I will be able to fulfill my pledge to you in utilizing every resource available to provide for an efficient and effective use of your tax dollars in a fiscally responsible manner.
Matt Ward
Candidate for Botetourt County Sheriff
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Sheriff’s departure will leave a leadership void
Editor:
Sheriff Sprinkle has proudly served Botetourt County with distinction over the last 20 years. His departure will leave a leadership void to be filled by voters.
One man stands apart from the rest of the pack, Jeff Stritesky. I have had the pleasure of calling Jeff a close friend for nearly 20 years, beginning with our sons playing rec football together, and can speak to his character, leadership, and decision abilities.
Voters entrusted Sheriff Sprinkle. Shouldn’t we look closely at whom he promoted to work in his administration? Jeff Stritesky has my vote on June 11.
Garry Volk
Cloverdale
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Sheriff’s race is voters’ job interview
Editor:
As I celebrated Easter with my family, I’ve had time to reflect on how fast this year has passed. Soon the June 11 Republican Primary will be upon us, and as we lead up to this occasion I encourage every voter to educate themselves about all the candidates on the ballot. It is our constitutional duty to make an informed choice, and I greatly appreciate the efforts made by the Republican Committee and local civic groups to give voters the opportunity to compare and contrast the candidates before them.
As Timothy Buchanan stated in last week’s paper, “…the office of sheriff is a political position of leadership requiring honesty, integrity, stability, and wisdom at every turn.” Buchanan continues to state, “This election is not a popularity contest and must not become so profaned.” Truer words cannot be spoken.
The April 10 letter by Liz Parker raises the question of my road experience. Notwithstanding over eight years of patrol experience in previous service with the US Army Military Police Corps, City of N. Miami Police Department and also the Vinton Police Department, I spent two years full-time as a patrol deputy in Botetourt County before I was selected in 1998 to become the first school resource officer for our department. For the next 12 years, I patrolled the streets of Botetourt County in the summer and when school was otherwise not in session.
The actuality is that voters are not electing a patrolman. They are selecting a leader and chief executive of their Sheriff’s Office and should vote for a candidate with proven administrative and supervisory experience. My career advancement and promotions under Sheriff Sprinkle from deputy to master deputy, sergeant, and current rank of lieutenant symbolize these qualifications.
When a community chooses a police chief, a thorough selection process including a review of qualifications, interviews and background checks will invariably be carried out. Candidates for sheriff should expect no less scrutiny. I will continue to appear at public forums to answer questions about my qualifications and my vision for the future of the Sheriff’s Office. Furthermore, I will be posting a resume on my Facebook page – Stritesky for Sheriff, and my website – StriteskyforSheriff.com, and I challenge the other candidates to do the same.
Jeff Stritesky
Candidate for Sheriff
