GREAT SCOTT

Scott Miller has a proven track record of doing what is right, regardless of whether a particular action is politically popular or politically unpopular. The fresh perspective he will bring to the Sheriff’s Department is just what is needed in these challenging times. I urge all voters, especially Carmel voters, to cast their vote for Scott Miller for sheriff. Adam A. Moniz | Carmel

MILLER TIME

When LULAC criticized Sheriff Mike Kanalakis forheavy-handed mass gang arrest tactics in Castroville a few months back,Kanalakis said they “supported gangs.” Even if the arrest tactics were justified, a respected community organizationdidn’t deserve such a response. Earlier, Kanalakis presided over a police-state atmosphere in Big Sur during the 2008 fire; folks helping save neighbors’ homes were threatened with arrest, and some wereactually arrested. Yes, during such a crisis,things can get rough. But Kanalakis never sought to smooth over anyone’s feelings. His lack of transparency on the Sheriff’s Department helicopter purchase contract – with one of his major supporters – shows more arrogance. Hisattempt to discipline Fred Garcia for campaignactivity and for exposing and opposing the helicopter contract,without recusing himself, was another mistake. Kanalakis looked like he was retaliating against a subordinate for running against him.

Scott Miller’s master’s thesis dealt with how police communicate with non-English speaking populations (Kanalakis shouldread it), and Miller speaks Spanish fluently. He hasbroad experience,as a deputy sheriff in Santa Clara County, as a Salinas officer who rose to the rank of captain quickly and ran diverse divisions, then as P.G. chief of police, and finally as a P.G. councilman for four years. Miller carries just one piece ofbaggage. He was forced out as P.G.’s police chief, for clamping down on petty corruption. He fired a parking control officer who had illegally-parked cars towed, then would bid on them at lien-sale auctions. Miller essentially got the boot for imposing his own high standard of integrity on the P.G. police department.He then sued the city, and won. The choice is pretty clear. David W. Brown | Marina

BAD AD

I was extremely disappointed in your running the negative political ad [about Mike Kanalakis]. It does not matter to whom the ad referred in their “Just Say No” message, but the disclosure “Paid for by a group of local citizens” does not identify the party responsible for the ad, akin to the “Swift Boat” ads run against John Kerry in 2004. Fair election advertising demands parties responsible for any political ad be identified so fair responses can be made. Sarah Davis | Salinas