Dear Editor,

Lou Vallario should have known better than to campaign from the Glenwood Springs Police Department. Not only is it illegal, it is also highly unethical. When he campaigns in uniform, it is an abuse of his police authority. Most people, myself included, have great trust and respect for officers in uniform. We tend to take what police officers in uniform say very seriously and at face value (as a fact).

My concern is that many people have put up Vallario signs because an officer in uniform asked them to. It is a simple conclusion that Lou Vallario had unfair advantages when he and other staff at the police department campaigned while on duty. I don’t think tax dollars should pay for campaigning while your supposed to be doing police work.

In addition campaigning from the police department would certainly be awkward for the people who work with Vallario but are privately pro Sheriff Tom Dalessandri. I sincerely hope that the staff at the police department who helped Vallario campaign did so because they wanted to and not because they felt forced or pressured to.

Sincerely,

Shirley Beasley

Rifle