To the Editor:

To the voters and citizens of Southampton County:

On Nov. 5, 2019, we will have the opportunity to vote for a new sheriff. This position is being sought by four candidates. These four men have been campaigning for quite a while now. We have all been seeing their display of campaign signs up and down the highway for what seems like at least six months.

Time is counting down and Election Day is just over a month away. Civic organizations throughout the county have hosted meet-and-greets for the candidates and forums so that the citizens could ask them questions. As a result of these meetings, accusations have been made and mud-slinging has taken place. All of these men have held professional positions with law enforcement agencies but none have acted in a professional manner. At this point, the candidates need to campaign on their qualifications and accomplishments. And, I encourage the voters to listen and base your vote that criteria. The person we elect will be the leader of the men and women who protect our county and enforce the laws to keep us safe.

We need a sheriff that will be a role model with high standards and integrity, and we need to elect him based on that and not because he is a nice person or because he is a friend.

Linda N. Vick

Newsoms