D.A.R.E. ATTACK DISGRACEFUL

For many years in many of our local publications I have been reading letters
from August Salemi. Often I agree with his points.

However, I must take issue with the disrespect he has shown to Atascadero
Police Chief Dennis Hegwood in his letter, "Missed a chance to dash
D.A.R.E.," July 12.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Chief Hegwood when I was filling in as
host of KPRL's Sound Off, the North County current events talk show. Also, I
have spoken with Dennis a number of times both before the interview and since.

I found the chief to be a man of great integrity, highly intelligent, warm
and honest. I think Atascadero is very, very lucky to have a person of this
caliber as their police chief. This attitude is also reflected in the
enthusiasm and professionalism displayed around the clock by the members of
his agency.

To suggest that the chief is in "shameless complicity with fast-talking
henchmen" (henchmen?) and is willfully and knowingly "baboozling gullible
locals" to feed a "lucrative cash cow," is a very poor way to disagree with
an idea. Avery poor choice of words, indeed!

And to suggest that Chief Hegwood wishes to "(brainwash) young children and
turn them into obedient little Nazi-like informants," is reprehensible!

During our interview and in a later conversation, I discussed D.A.R.E. with
Chief Hegwood and I can assure you, all of you, that if Dennis Hegwood did
not believe wholeheartedly that this program was greatly beneficial to our
community, he would not support it.

In the future, Mr. Salemi, I would suggest that you choose your words more
carefully.

Remember this: Great minds discuss ideas, poor minds discuss people!

Mark Burnes, Pismo Beach