Base your vote on candidates’ knowledge, experience

Dear Editor:

The skullduggery and hyperbole surrounding elections never fails to flabbergast me.

In the June 6 edition of the DCI, Matt Soper apparently doesn't understand how big the county commissioner District 3 is, heavily implying that Peach Valley is part of the Delta District 1.

We all vote for commissioners, no matter what district we live in, and the commissioners represent the entire county. The only requirement is that the candidates live in the district they are running for. Mr. Soper himself, unlike Dr. Roger Bentley, lives in District 2. Mr. Soper also claims Dr. Bentley wants to eliminate the planning commission that he has served on — voluntarily — for 6 1⁄2 years. The existence of the planning commission is required by state law — something Dr. Bentley understands and that Mr. Soper apparently does not.

My neighbor, Travis Jardon, claims Dr. Bentley — a lifelong Republican — is a "hard core Libertarian" and only pretending to be a Republican. Mr. Jardon himself is registered unaffiliated, so where does this "Republican Party loyalty" and concern about "party infiltration" come from? His claims of Dr. Bentley's support for nuclear waste plants, carcass disposal sites, confined animal operations of 5,000 skunks (???), and neighbors harming each other is literally from out of left field.

Are these really the things supporters have to resort to at election time?

I have known Dr. Bentley for many years. He is a thoughtful, kind person; professional and informed in his health care practice; and has volunteered many hours of his time for public service — requiring difficult juggling schedules for his farming/ranching and doctor's practice. I don't personally know Mr. Roeber and have no desire to make up wild slanderous insults directed at him. I encourage all of you who will be voting in the Republican primary election to vote based on your knowledge of the candidates, your understanding of the principles of limited government, and the difference between property rights and desire to inflict opinions on neighbors (individual rights vs. the collective). Nothing at all personal against Mr. Roeber — I support Dr. Roger Bentley for our next county commissioner of District 3, based on his proven abilities.

Debbie Schum

Redlands Mesa

(District 3)

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