Do Your Research

For someone lacking in the spoken language of English, Valma Francisco who wrote the anti-Grimming article seems extremely articulate.

For someone who would fail the first question on "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?," the writer seems to have had some assistance in writing a very detailed - but false - missive smearing Ron Grimming.

I urge the citizens of Highlands County to follow the anti-Grimming writer's advice and research Ron Grimming. You would find a long and distinguished career with the Illinois State Police followed by his stint at the Florida Highway Patrol. Serving at the pleasure of the governor one can only maintain a position if they become a "yes man." Ron Grimming was not that man.

The writer does not mention the last 10 years in the life of Ron Grimming. How did the writer fail to mention that Ron Grimming took the largest community college security force in South Florida and convert it to a law enforcement entity? This was accomplished while Ron Grimming stood as director of the largest law enforcement training academy in South Florida. The very agency that trained several dozen police agencies was under his direct command. How did the writer miss this?

As for being an outsider, how did the writer miss the fact that Grimming has long-standing roots within the community? Although he did only move here a few years ago, his family has lived here for decades. Following three distinguished careers, Ron Grimming moved to Highlands County to be with his family. In an age when many individuals change jobs not to mention careers several times over their lifetime, he has remained in law enforcement.

Now as for research, the writer claims to have voted in the last election. The voter rolls of Highlands County seem void of an individual sharing the same name. Maybe it was misspelled in the letter to the editor. Maybe I was somehow mistaken in my research. Yes, I urge the voters to do their research on Ron Grimming. Without offering more, an informed voter is the best voter.

Heather Thomas
Lake Placid