With so much cheerleading for Steve Nowlin by the Journal, it’s time to set the record straight. I’ve followed local politics for years and I do not recall the last time a Montezuma County incumbent sheriff has been challenged in his party’s primary. This rarely happens anywhere unless there are extraordinary circumstances. My question to Nowlin and his Republican establishment allies in our county is, what are those extraordinary circumstances? Has Sheriff Spruell been accused of a crime? Has he been accused of malfeasance or incompetence? The answer is no.
So why is the Nowlin challenging Spruell in 2014? Those who complain about the job Sheriff Spruell has done are probably unaware that he has saved the county a huge bundle of money. I’ve never seen this reported by the Journal. Nowlin’s past is unknown and good journalism dictates important information should be released before the primary. A very quick and simple check of Durango District Court records turned up evidence that Nowlin’s testimony in a past court proceeding was deemed unreliable by some respected agents of the court, including our four-time Montezuma County district attorney. These statements by long-time prosecutor George Buck and others were made under oath, and they deserve the voters’ consideration prior to primary voting, before we remove an excellent sheriff and replace him with a giant unknown.
With Nowlin, we will be easy pickings for government overreach, land and road closures. Your gun rights will not be safe either. Nowlin has said he will enforce any directive given by the federal government — including those that are in violation of your Second Amendment rights.
With Dennis Spruell we have a sheriff with integrity. Why take a huge gamble on Nowlin when it comes to our safety and our constitutional rights?
David Dove
Cortez