As one of many physicians in our community supporting Captain Ian Parkinson for sheriff, I believe the choice for sheriff is clear. He offers a beacon of hope to a department that is in dire need of strong and selfless leadership. Unlike some other candidates, he is not coming out of retirement to seek office. Instead, he steps to the plate with extensive experience, a solid grasp of the issues, and a fresh approach to optimizing the safety of those living in SLO County. The office of sheriff is especially important to me, as, living in SLO County, my family depends on the department to protect us at our times of greatest need. I know that my wife Nisha and I would rest a little easier at night knowing that someone with Parkinson’s passion for service and wisdom is taking the lead as the department’s top cop.
This article appears in May 20-27, 2010.