To the Editor-

MIKE LUKAS is my choice to be the next Sheriff in Portage County.  The reasons for this choice are:

1)      Mike Lukas is enthusiastic about his career in law enforcement.  He wants to help people to be safe and unafraid in this community.   He has taken advantage of opportunities for more training and for chances to increase his learning and experience in law enforcement.

2)      MIKE LUKAS IS A TEACHER.  He graduated from UW-Eau Claire with a degree in education,  as well as being a Police Academy graduate  He believes in using his training as a teacher in organizing neighborhood Watch programs, in helping the Portage County Crime stoppers be effective, in teaching safety programs in the schools, and in collaboration with the DNR  and firearm safety training to maintain safety conscious citizens

3)      MIKE LUKAS wants to strengthen the connections between the Sheriff’s office and the residents of Portage County  —  all of the residents  —  from little school children to the elderly couple maintaining a home or apartment.   Mike Lukas thinks everyone should have available information about the drug epidemic and / or the scams currently operating in our area.  Mike Lukas thinks communication will increase our neighborly concern for others and will help to maintain a solid sense of security.

4)      Although Mike Lukas knows that Sheriffs do not make the decisions about building jails or Justice Centers,  he believes that a carefully planned  Justice Center more exactly meets the needs of Portage County at this time.   He visualizes a Justice Center where the safety of all of the users is a top priority  —  where juries, lawyers, Judges, witnesses, families of the accused persons  —  may feel  safe and protected at all times.    His view on this matter coincides with my experience as a member of the POLICY AND PLANNING COMMITTEE of Wisconsin’s Supreme court.

5)        I served for eleven years on this Committee when I was nominated by then Justice William Bablitch (former State Senator from Stevens Point) and appointed by Chief Justice Nathan Heffernan and reappointed by Chief Justice  Shirley Abrahamson.  That Committee completed a study of the security and safety of the 72 County Courts in the State.  That study prompted many changes and upgrades in the facilities used in the dispensing of justice.  Portage County has responded by making changes to the court rooms and to the movement of prisoners back and forth to the court rooms and to the public access to the building.   Our local  JusticeWorks has also reviewed the Committee’s recommendations and has made suggestions.  It would seem timely and highly appropriate for a Portage County Justice Center to be planned with these recommendations and suggestions as part of the planning material.

I believe MIKE LUKAS because he has a history of honesty and integrity,  and I believe that his service as your sheriff will continue that honesty and integrity.  Please vote on August 12 for MIKE LUKAS.

Mary M. Williams, former teacher, Ben Franklin Jr. High

Stevens Point