BALLES FOR SHERIFF

PRIDE – INTEGRITY - LEADERSHIP

 

News Release: July 15, 2008

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Frank Balles, 432-9407

 

Mays Landing. This year, Atlantic County voters will learn more about the candidates for Sheriff thanks to a series of debates to start in the fall. The venues for the debates are being sought now, according to Sheriff’s candidate Frank Balles. There should be four broadcast media debates and one before the print media. That leaves about 5 debates to be spread around the county.

“We will be looking for these debates to be in public places in five regional locales, such as Buena Vista or Folsom in the west, Hammonton to the north, Atlantic City or Ventnor in the east, Somers Point for the south and Mays Landing for the center,” explained Balles, the Republican candidate for Sheriff.

Balles is challenging the incumbent Atlantic County Sheriff, Jim McGettigan, who is expected to sign off on the debate schedule and locations by the end of summer. Balles said he wouldn’t count out adding other appearances if the invitations were made.

“Voters and taxpayers need to know us better, especially in these difficult economic times. Voters need to know how the Atlantic County Sheriff will operate a lean and effective office on a tight budget,” said Balles. “Providing public safety has a price but it can’t be paid anymore with an open checkbook or broken promises.”

Balles, a veteran officer currently serving as Captain in the Pleasantville police department, said there were more than enough issues in this year’s campaign to sustain ten or more debates.

“The responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Office rest in two parts, the administration of the office and the law enforcement/public safety function. My opponent would have you think that 15 years under his tenure had been both affordable and effective. It has not,” asserted Balles

Balles has one written commitment for a television broadcast debate. He will be signing on for at least three talk radio broadcasts. The editorial board of a local newspaper would be another venue for airing out the issues.

“I know voters and taxpayers will appreciate what they will learn of the failings in the past 15 years to protect the public’s safety, to enforce the laws of the state and to provide cost effective and affordable administration of the Sheriff’s Office,” said Balles.

It would be unfortunate for his challenger to avoid the public discussion of the issues in this campaign, Balles claimed. “There is no greater public service that McGettigan can perform than to stand before the people and be held accountable for his actions, or inactions.”

 

 

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