Vote. And consider the alternatives.

The Sun-Sentinel’s editorial, “Best vote for Broward sheriff is no vote at all,” is frightening. Certainly, the residents of Broward County should take this editorial as a call to action and lead the state to make a change through the Legislature to allow appointment of county sheriffs rather than election. However, we cannot let good intentions paralyze voters in the 2020 election.

The concept of an appointed sheriff in Broward County will shake the ills of the past. A rigorous selection process by the county administrator, approved by the Broward County Commission, will prevent in the future the debacles that have littered our past.

This change to an appointed sheriff would negate influence through campaign donations. But in this 2020 election, financial influence is alive and well. One person, through a political committee, contributed $800,000 to a single candidate, Gregory Tony. Two other major contributions came after the award of a $750,000 contract for bleed kits from BSO. The duck idiom fits.

Tony’s past disqualifies him from obtaining a lawenforcement position. His decisions since appointment, his temperament and lack of organizational support would typically create cause for termination.

Weigh this against H. Wayne Clark, an “R.”— a killer letter of the alphabet in the minds of Broward County voters. Instead, let’s take a healthy, nonpartisan view— consider the “R” as short for “reform.” We have a candidate with good intentions, no criminal record, military service to our country, a juris doctorate and a family with two children. The differences are stark. Do not let Broward County partisan politics leave us with Gregory Tony.

I implore you to vote. Do not followthe suggestion by the Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board.

James Harn, Cooper City