The League of Women Voters’ forum was held with all candidates for county commissioner, treasurer, and sheriff on hand. Responses were polite, and candidates were generally well informed and forthcoming.
Charles Hamby, running against Sheriff Sean Smith, noted how critical respect for the sheriff’s office is, and he is right. When I taught GED classes at the jail in 2000–2003, the atmosphere was not nearly as considerate as it is today. Back then, the jail was sometimes a dark and stormy place for employees as well as offenders.
Today, officers are always respectful and helpful. Students, despite some coming from extreme backgrounds, also act with deference. They no longer complain about their treatment and are allowed to have paper, golf pencils, texts, and books, and they and the staff are all better for this humane approach to what is a difficult environment for all. Disturbances are rare, and GED studies, religious classes, and mental health groups take place with a smoothness to the operations that owes much to the fact that Sheriff Smith is himself a person of integrity and civility.
His attitude is reflected admirably in his focused, hardworking administrators, deputies, kitchen staff – and in the calm, civil manner in which his team conduct themselves and treat offenders.
Indeed, respect must start and end with the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Smith achieves that every day, and our county’s law enforcement is better for it, and we will be a safer place with Sean Smith continuing in his role.
Stephanie Moran
Durango
