Candidate replies

By HERBERT PLETCHER

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 25, 2000

My name is Herbert E. Pletcher and I am a Republican candidate for the office of Hernando County sheriff. This rebuttal is being submitted in answer to comments made by the Hernando Times in its endorsement of Richard Nugent on Aug. 21.

The editor of editorials indicated that "The premise that Nugent will do little to improve the office contradicts Nugent's platform." In all of the public forums involving the sheriff's candidates, Mr. Nugent has talked around the issues, taking a stand on nothing. He has no platform of his own, only that which he has gleaned from the ideas and convictions of other candidates.

Mr. Nugent has referred to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office as his "Army, Navy and Air Force." He has made it perfectly clear in his speeches that he is in command of department operations and that he is making all the decisions. Well, if this is true, then I submit to you that Mr. Nugent is also responsible for extended response times, lack of follow-up investigations, a rising crime rate and an extremely high unsolved rate for property crime.

Mr. Nugent and candidate David Mihok were given the opportunity to enter a debate addressing the issues of this campaign. Both parties have failed to respond to this request. What are they afraid of? Don't the citizens of Hernando County deserve to hear what each candidate believes in?

In closing, I can only say to you that the Sheriff's Office must be responsive to you, the citizens and taxpayers for which it exists. Please vote for me, Herbert E. Pletcher, on Sept. 5. Together we can make this your Hernando County Sheriff's Office. (www.webvisions-usa.com/vote4pletcher).

Jerry Theilen, Republican candidate for supervisor of elections

Editor: Thank you for your kind words regarding my candidacy for supervisor of elections. I strongly agree with your paper that "of the four Republican candidates, Theilen offers the most detailed plan." A plan I believe will make Hernando County's supervisor of elections the benchmark for the entire state.

I am very proud of your comment that "Theilen has put together an innovative platform" and noted that my plan is "more progressive and detailed." In addition, you also stated "We are particularly impressed with Theilen's idea to use direct mailing and registration drives to target the approximately 25,000 registered voters who did not cast a vote in the last general election."

Your comment about Theilen being "the strongest contender because of his background in fiscal management and computer technology" is the very reason why many citizens believe I am the best-qualified candidate for this job.

I would like to mention to the Republican voters that, unlike all of my opponents, I have actively served our party as precinct committeeman, party treasurer and president of the First Hernando Republican Club. On Election Day, I worked very hard as a poll watcher to ensure that our election process was beyond reproach. This is more than four years of election experience that none of my opponents have had here in Hernando County.

When you compare all the facts, I believe you will make the clear choice and support me, Jerry Theilen, for supervisor of elections.

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