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Highlands Today

Both Candidates Are Strong, But We Endorse Benton

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2008

No local races are as hotly contested in Highlands County as the sheriff's race. No race draws as much attention, nor as much nastiness. This election season we have two extremely strong candidates. When all the nonsense being spouted on both sides is pushed aside, incumbent Sheriff Susan Benton and Ron Grimming both are well qualified and would serve our county well.

Our editorial board was extremely impressed by both candidates, but ultimately it was decided that Benton deserved four more years.

Controversy has swirled around Benton in the last year - some of it deserved, some of it not. The evidence inventory is the biggest issue, of course. We believe there was no criminal intent on anyone's part at the sheriff's office. There was embarrassment, and we believe the issue was mishandled from the beginning. However, we don't believe it merits tossing out a successful sheriff as a result.

The proposed new sheriff's building also has been a hot topic, with plenty of critics. It's a legitimate issue to be debated, but no one disagrees that the sheriff's office needs more space. Perhaps the proposed office is more expensive than it needs to be, but our county manager and most of the county commissioners looked at this project and concluded that it's needed as well.

We are endorsing Benton primarily on the grounds that she was elected four years ago to bring great change to the sheriff's office. Anyone around four years ago remembers the outcry for more road patrols, less "good ol' boys," updated equipment, better wages, etc. She did all of that.

It shouldn't surprise anyone that some employees - current and former - would be upset with all the changes that happened in the last four years. It happens in any business or institution when big changes are made. People take it personally and get upset. That goes with the territory for incumbents. They have the advantage of being in office, but they also are easy to criticize for decisions they've made.

Ron Grimming has a lot to offer Highlands County. It's difficult not to endorse him. He just doesn't have a weakness we can see and there are plenty of positives. So if he is chosen as the winner, Highlands County will be well served.

However, we endorse Benton because despite the controversy, she's served well and steered the sheriff's office into the future. We believe she deserves another four years.

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