Welcome to the latest dog and pony show – the race for Tulare County Sheriff. We have a small war going on between “The Keystone Kops” (aka Sheriff Whaley, et al.) on the one hand, and “Deputy Dawg” (aka Sheriff Beaudroix, et al. ) on the other hand – or it could be the other way around, the roles are interchangeable.
The accusations and counter-accusations are endless and absurd. Each sheriff sees himself as “wearing the white hat”. In reality, though, neither does. Both sheriffs are part of the “Good Ole Boy Network” that Tulare County is famous – or infamous for — depending on one’s point of view. They were involved together in everything that has gone on in the Sheriff’s office for years – they may be fighting now since they are competitors for the same job but never doubt that they are both cut from the same bolt of cloth.
This race is both a farce and a tragedy. However, I believe that electing either of these gentlemen would be a serious mistake for the citizens of Tulare County and the Sheriff’s Department, itself, we deserve better.
But, there just might be another possibility. We could wage a serious WRITE-IN campaign. With a viable candidate, we could be successful, or at the very least, have a real impact on the race and its outcome.
To my mind, the only person who could come in and bring peace to the Department, is John Zapalac. Just think, if those of us who voted for John in the last election –that would be more than 15,000 – what an impact that would have on this race. John served 18 years in the sheriff’s office; he understands the department and the politics of it, and is, most importantly, a man of integrity.
Just think, a win-win situation – the Sheriff’s Department gets a new chief, free from the influence of “ The Good Ole Boy Network” and Tulare County gets a new chief worthy of representing the county.
So, I hope that you will join me in exercising your constitutional right – and in the grand old American tradition —
WRITE IN ‘JOHN ZAPALAC FOR SHERIFF’ in the upcoming June primary.
Just think, our little Tulare County waging a serious Write –In campaign – what a great thought!
Barbara Waldron
Exeter, CA