Letters To The Editor, Opinion

Letter: Where is the integrity?

Dear Editor:

Integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

Where is the integrity when a sheriff misrepresents and omits the facts known to him, in order to bias investigators conducting an outside agency investigation? Where is the integrity in this sheriff coming to my home, the day after presenting this false information to investigators, so he can shake my hand in friendship, proclaiming everything is good; while the entire time he knows what he has done.

Where is the integrity of the sheriff when he uses intimidation to silence others? Both physical and verbal intimidation, such as coming up over the table at a woman who questioned his dispatcher’s knowledge of the streets in Rangely?

Where is the integrity in going into someone’s place of business while on duty and threatening them both physically and verbally? All because that person may have offended a constituent of the sheriff.

Where is the integrity in threatening public officials with “trouble” if they don’t do as the sheriff demands? Where is the integrity of the sheriff who fought so vigorously, leading the charge of the attack on the county commissioners, over their possible closure of the dispatch center? I ask because he later abandons his statutory duty to maintain the county jail. Where is the integrity of the sheriff who closes the jail, in order to “save money” in a time of financial difficulty for the county; yet he turns around and expands his patrol division, command staff, and in house staffing providing raises for everyone. Where is the integrity of a sheriff who provided these raises, to compete with “Meeker” and “Rangely” police departments, when both said agencies make substantially less than their counterparts in the sheriff office make.

Where is the integrity of a sheriff who stops the Rangely Police Chief for driving his patrol car, into the county, so he can have a hotdog with his wife, on the 4th of July? Where is the integrity in the sheriff demanding the district attorney criminally charge the Police Chief with “impersonating a police officer”, because he didn’t have the sheriff’s permission to drive into the county to have a hotdog with his wife?

Where is the integrity of our sheriff who sits on both the Colorado P.O.S.T. Board and is president of the County Sheriffs of Colorado, where he condemns officers, revokes their certifications for acts he himself has seemingly committed?

Perhaps our sheriff doesn’t understand the law, as he should. Of his 30+ years in law enforcement he spent a year in the jail, maybe a couple years as a patrol deputy, then he went straight into administration and politics. No, I did not forget, he also served several years as an investigator, which is why I have such a hard time understanding why he appears so devoid of knowledge of the law and reverence for the code of ethics.

Should our current sheriff be re-elected, I would suggest some homework. My suggested reading assignments would include: #1. The statutory duties of the sheriff. #2. The authority of a police officer (anywhere in the state). #3. The law of fresh pursuit and the authority of an officer in such pursuit. #4. The BRADY act (reference lying to investigators). #5. False Reporting to authorities. #6. Criminal attempt to influence a public official and #7. Official Misconduct, just for starters.

Old news aside, our sheriff should definitely review the definition of “integrity” as he uses this word to describe himself and although I’m certain he knows, it just doesn’t fit.

I see little integrity within our sheriff. I can’t say he’s all bad, but I can say he holds no candle to the prior sheriffs I’ve had the privilege of working for and with.

We need a sheriff who believes the law applies to everyone, most importantly, the sheriff him/herself. It’s time for a change, we need a Sheriff, not a King. I encourage everyone to be informed and get out and vote.

In case you were wondering, I will not be voting for Anthony Mazzola.

Roy Kinney
Rangely


Thoughts expressed on opinion pages are exclusively those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Herald Times. You are welcome to submit signed letters on matters of local interest to [email protected], mail to PO Box 720, Meeker, CO 81641 or drop off at 304 4th St., Meeker. there is no charge.

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@ht.1885
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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2 days ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
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3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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3 days ago
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4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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