I had to laugh at one part of Darrel Johnston's letter to the editor in Saturday's paper (Aug 2.) He said that the deputies he knows applaud Sheriff Benton's performance during her term in office. I know quite a number of deputies myself and that surely is not what I hear. While they are glad to have some upgraded equipment, they are aware that most of these upgrades have been given to deputies who are on the road. As parents of school children, they wish some of the money would be spent on those deputies and services which most closely affect the lives, safety and welfare of their children. They would like to see more neighborhood patrols, especially since many of them work at night and have to leave sleeping families to do so. It only takes a few trips down U.S. 27 to see where the law enforcement effort is concentrated. Speed is not the only problem we have in Highlands County. ...more

August 6, 2008