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Highlands Today

Sheriff Joe

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John Dyce

Published: September 14, 2008

One beauty of the Internet is that you can research topics of interest. So, when Phoenix Sheriff Joe Arpaio was mentioned as a good role model for our sheriff position by Sheriff Benton's challenger and his supporters, I looked him up on the net.

From his appearances on Lou Dobbs, I knew of Sheriff Joe's approach to illegal immigrants. He locks them up and tries to get them deported, something most would find commendable. However, illegal immigration has not surfaced as a campaign issue. Rather, Sheriff Joe is held up as a model of less costly and tougher handling of county jail inmates.

From articles about Sheriff Joe, he seems to be a publicity hound and a bully. He has learned that the worse he treats his prisoners the more popular he is. He is accused of human rights violations by every reputable watchdog group. The family of a prisoner beaten to death by Sheriff Joe's guards received an $8.2 million settlement.

While we don't hear much about her until campaign season, Sheriff Benton appears to be a comparatively low-key administrator focused on her duties and responsibilities; the polar opposite of Sheriff Joe. Actually, all of our local officials seem to act in a manner that does not bring undo attention to themselves, i.e. they are not that political. Perhaps that is why we have a well-run government.

Mr. Grimming has run a more aggressive campaign than we are used to in these parts which presents some clues as to how he would comport himself as sheriff. One wonders if "Sheriff Joe" is a good fit for this community.

John Dyce Lorida

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