Letter: Chojnacki is the better candidate for sheriff

To the Editor-

As August 9 draws near, and you the voters will choose your next sheriff, I want to encourage you to vote for Florian Chojnacki.

I hired Florian 16 years ago because of his experience, honesty, and integrity; qualities the sheriff’s department was looking for in a deputy, including his commitment to the safety of our county. He has been a great example of what your next sheriff should be and demonstrates the qualities Portage County needs.

Let’s concentrate on what he will not do:

• Florian Chojnacki will not gain your trust and vote by favoring a new jail, to gain votes, then change his mind down the road. (The current sheriff stated he was not in favor of a new jail, to get elected in 2014, then two years later gave an interview to the Buyers’ Guide describing how hard he worked to rally his followers to support a new jail.)
• Florian Chojnacki will not and has not threatened to spread false rumors about his opponent to encourage him to withdraw from the sheriff’s race. This is documented as being done by our current sheriff.
• Florian Chojnacki will not take credit for the demanding work of his deputies, civilian employees, and sheriff’s office personnel in writing grants and solving crimes.
• He will not micro-manage his various departments but will rely on the expertise of his chief deputy and other management teams to co-run the department with his guidance.

Florian Chojnacki will support even those who oppose him, support all county employees, regardless of their vote, and will make sure the morale of the sheriff’s department is solid and considered a team effort. Again, not currently being supported by the current sheriff.

Florian Chojnacki is serious about the safety of our children in schools and will find a way to make sure each school has the resources they need—no excuses about the county board and lack of support.

Florian Chojnacki will diligently work for you, the citizens of Portage County, with the same integrity, honesty, and morals I tried to instill in my department for the 12 years I was sheriff. This is why many retired management staff of the department and other deputies are supporting Florian Chojnacki.

Florian Chojnacki will make you proud to have him as your sheriff, representing Portage County.

Sheriff John Charewicz 2003-14 (Ret.)
Stevens Point