In regards to the upcoming election I have been dismayed at the tone of the race for the Hampshire County sheriff. For more than 20 years, I worked with and for Sheriff Patrick Cahillane. In all of those years I never saw anything but professionalism from him. There have been suggestions that the systems are outdated. I never had an issue with that. If I needed it, I received it. And yes, I did have a typewriter in my office. What is not understood is that there are certain reports or filings that are not allowed to be sent electronically. There are many other state offices that also have typewriters for that reason as do many other entities. Yes, his management style is not that of previous sheriff Robert Garvey. Sheriff Garvey’s tenure was more relaxed and laid back. Do not misunderstand me, I have nothing but respect for Sheriff Garvey but what Sheriff Garvey did or did not do in his tenure has nothing to do with Sheriff Cahillane. Sheriff Cahillane took office, did his research and immediately started to make the department more efficient and made changes to best utilize personnel. Unpopular to some but needed. Then COVID-19 hit. Everything was put on standby except the well being of the staff and the people placed in his charge. And if you look at numbers from other facilities, he did one heck of a good job. He has more he wants to accomplish in another term, a lot more. I ask that you vote for him (mark those ballots even though there is not another name on the ballot because there is a write-in candidate) and give him the time to do all the things COVID-19 prevented him from doing. There is no one better qualified or who has the knowledge, education in the appropriate laws and regulations and is motivated for all the right reasons.
Martha Knightly
Ware