Letter to the Editor from Walt Hunter

FLORENCE, AZ (By Walt Hunter) August 14, 2008 — Sheriff Chris Vasquez tries to focus on any issue other than the Sheriff's office and for good reason.  Just last week all of Arizona learned that arrested, charged and convicted Pinal DUI drivers over the past 14 months are being dismissed and ruled invalid because "someone" took, lost or never performed the tests on the Intoxilizer 8000 (Breathalyzer).  Where was the leadership and supervision to prevent this?  While it is obvious the person in charge of the records lacked the competence to perform such as task, Vasquez decided to offer up the deputy who was the lowest ranking individual involved, yet there was no the mention of anyone who should have inspected such important documents to ensure the records were maintained. A leader always accepts responsibility and I have yet to see any leadership connected with this latest scandal. 
  
It always seems to that when something goes wrong, Vasquez and his supporters blame the incident on politics. Did politics cause Sheriff Vasquez to plagiarize articles then deny or minimize what he had done? Did politics cause Vasquez to state the inaccurate representation of traffic accident figures, where he said accidents were reduced 56%, when in fact they increased?  What about assault weapons valued at $23,000 purchased by the former Manager Stan Griffis - not for the Sheriff's use, but for his own personal hunting safari in Africa?  Did I mention that a large portion of the stolen $700,000 by Griffis was from monies developers paid to improve Hunt Highway?  Everyone who drives the single lane, bumpy road which carries thousands of daily commuters certainly remembers.

Vasquez has reason to fear Jayme Valenzuela in the Democrat primary election September 2nd.  More voters believe Valenzuela is the best Democrat against the stronger Republican candidate Paul Babeu who is running the most visible and effective campaign.  I have tolerated enough scandals to last two lifetimes, even for Pinal County.  New blood is need to smash the good ole' boy system that has hurt Pinal County.
  
Sincerely,
  
Walt Hunter
Florence - Pinal County