DRUG RECORD HAS LASTING EFFECTS

The endorsement of David Blakely by the Deputy Sheriff's Association is
amazing. Their best position would have been to decline to endorse, remain
neutral.

Why? The job of sheriff's deputies is to keep our communities safe. One of
their duties is to pursue the bad guys. In the realm of bad guys are
illegal drug users, illegal drug pushers, illegal drug manufacturers,
rapists and murderers. Upon the arrest of the bad guys, the sheriff's
deputy creates records/files.

These records are held until death do them part. These records are used
within the legal system as sources of information and information for
conviction, often years after the fact. For a Deputy Sheriff's Association
president to state the past actions of a confessed multiple-drug user are
irrelevant is absurd. What is the recidivism rate for drug users and rapists?

Do the people who moved here in the past four years have a right to know
the background of a candidate for elected office? Information is a
necessary tool to make an informed decision. Mr. Blakely's decision to use
illegal drugs, while teaching junior high in Atascadero, was his decision.

Now he doesn't want to take responsibility for his decision and action. He
would rather call information about his irresponsible decision and action,
resorting to dirty tricks.

Joseph C. Kelly, Templeton