Dear Editor,

I am a retired Glenwood Springs police officer. I have not made a decision on the sheriff’s race but am leaning toward Sheriff Dalessandri. I believe Lou Vallario is an excellent police officer and a good supervisor and administrator. Lou would be a good sheriff, but I think Tom is better qualified.

Regarding Dean Moffatt’s complaint about his question not being read at the candidates’ forum, I have to agree with you Dean. Your question should have been given to Lou, even though the question had a very sarcastic tone to it.

But Dean, wake up, read a newspaper, watch the news. The bad guys are carrying assault weapons! If you think something like that couldn’t happen in Glenwood Springs, think again. This is not Mayberry, and that young man or woman in that Glenwood Springs police uniform is not “Barney” with a bullet in his pocket.

I really hope that when you say “Glenwood-style para-military squad,” you’re referring to their black uniforms and not their attitudes and professionalism. These are your police officers, and they risk their lives every day to keep you safe. They will have undergone hours and hours of training with these weapons and on the day that the bad guy shows up in Glenwood with his AK-47, you will be glad the police are well armed.

Dean, there is no “Glenwood Springs Police Academy.” Most of the young policemen you say you are afraid of were trained by the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy, and you might want to look into Sheriff Dalessandri’s association with CLETA.

Your fear is unfounded and your motives are pure partisan politics. I really hope your views do not represent the bulk of the Democrats in Garfield County.

You owe the Glenwood Springs Police Department and those young officers an apology. What you are slinging is a lot worse then mud, and makes me want to vote Republican.

Boyd D. Hyatt

Silt