To the Editor:
I am writing this letter in support of re-electing Nick Petitgout as McDonough County Sheriff. To be up front, Sheriff Petitgout is my next door neighbor. I have known him since 2014 and count him as a good friend. It is also important to note that I am an avowed independent voter. As such, my basis for voting for any candidate is being informed on their positions on the issues, as well as how I perceive their character.
As for issues, there are very few differences. Both want to protect the community with enforcement of current laws and involvement in the community. By the nature of the job, these are givens. The difference between the two is actual performance versus promised performance.
I have seen firsthand Sheriff Petitgout's dedication to the job and the people of McDonough County. I am aware of the many often unstructured hours he works, his availability for his deputies and residents, how intensely he strives to do a good job for the people of McDonough County, and the sacrifices he makes in his family life to accomplish those goals. In my experience, this type of dedication is rare.
As for Mr. Moon, I know he is from Macomb; however, as a retired local banker, I have a pretty good idea of who is involved in the community, and to be honest, I had not heard of him until he announced that he was running for sheriff. Based on this, I would assume his community involvement to be minimal. I also know he is an Illinois State Police retiree; however, this does not necessarily mean he has been actively involved in day-to-day law enforcement. It is my understanding that he had a desk job in Springfield for a large portion of his recent career. So what he promises is not supported by facts in my opinion.
Since character is a much more subjective area, I think it only fair to limit my comparison on this to what is available to everyone, the campaign. Both candidates have sent mailers to the residents of McDonough County. Sheriff Petitgout recapped what he has done and how that makes him qualified for the job in a positive manner. On the other hand, Mr. Moon's flyers have highlighted issues that have taken place during Sheriff Petitgout's tenure. Unfortunately, bad things do happen, it's part of the job. The key is how these issues are handled and I feel that Sheriff Petitgout has handled them professionally. Mr. Moon has run a negative campaign. He has not presented anything positive about himself that would support his qualifications for the position.
Finally, it is important to note that since there are currently no Democratic candidates the March 17 Primary Election is essentially the General Election for sheriff. With that in mind, I would encourage all voters in the county to join me in voting for Nick Petitgout in the primary if you want a qualified and experienced individual as McDonough County Sheriff.
Sincerely, Ron Runser Macomb, Illinois
