Letter: Kelly knowledgeable, prepared

To the Editor:

I have been reading and hearing a few facts about the sheriff candidates that need to be cleared up.

The first is that Marty Kelly is not qualified to be sheriff because he has not worked for the sheriff’s Department. You don’t have to be an employee of the department to be elected sheriff.

Some of you may remember when Forest Wipperling was elected sheriff he was employed with the Red Wing Police Department and he transitioned to a sheriff who served us for many years.

Marty will bring a new perspective to the sheriff’s department and will not do things the same way they have been done for the past 12 years. Marty will bring the change that is needed.

The next is that Marty is not qualified because he does not have a master’s degree.

Goodhue County has never had a sheriff with a master’s degree and each of them have performed the job successfully. Marty believes education is important and has a four-year degree in law enforcement.

Common sense is just as important as education and you can’t get common sense out of a book.

I believe Marty Kelly is the most qualified to run this department.

John Hegseth

Wanamingo

Tags: marty kelly, opinion, elections, letters, county