Editor,

I have looked into the candidates who are running for Sheriff. It is clear to me that Rick Felici has the knowledge, experience and temperament to be an outstanding Sheriff.

It clearly takes a very large skill set and much experience to be an effective Sheriff. Rick Felici has earned these skills and experience over the years while being promoted up through the ranks to serve in his current position as Chief Criminal Deputy. He understands that a primary role of the Sheriff is to organize, train and equip all Department personnel, be they Detectives, SWAT, Road Deputies, Administrative or Jail personnel, to enable each to properly do their job.

To accomplish this, the Sheriff must have extensive knowledge of how the entire Department operates and what it takes to train and equip personnel in each area. This in turn requires Leadership and Supervisory experience. It requires experience in program organization and management. It requires political experience, and it absolutely requires in-depth budgetary experience.

Rick Felici’s opponent has been a road Deputy for his entire career. While his years’ of service is respectable, the fact remains that he has never been promoted nor has he ever held any position of leadership or higher responsibility involving any of the key requirements of being Sheriff. He clearly lacks the breadth and depth of experience required to lead the Sheriff’s Department.

Rick Felici has more than demonstrated he possesses all the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to be an outstanding Sheriff. I urge you to vote for Rick Felici for Island County Sheriff.

Ed Meyer

Oak Harbor