To the editor:

Three weeks ago I announced that I was running for election to become your next sheriff. The following day, the current sheriff made a news comment that the grow houses in Lehigh Acres were here when I was your sheriff and that I gave them a free pass. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I researched the addresses where the busts were made and 55 of them were vacant lots when I was sheriff and the remaining 14 became grow houses after being sold in 2006. The few that were here when I was in office were busted.

My big question for him is, since most of the grow houses appear to have been growing marijuana for two and three years, why did he wait until election year to do something about them? His quote was that he was relentless on grow houses but millions and millions of dollars worth of marijuana hit the streets because of his lack of direction, leadership and just plain “know how.”

Taxpayers, we have made history here. We have record crime, a record budget and a sheriff that simply refuses to tell you the truth! With tax reform coming this year, we will need a sheriff with the administrative experience to deliver results without compromising service. I am a highly educated, trained and experienced professional police planner and I will deliver those results to you along with service that treats you with the honor and dignity that you deserve.

Rod Shoap

Candidate for Lee County Sheriff