NEWS

Galvin, Travis, Englert To the editor: Steve Galvin is the most experienced candidate for judge. I know Steve from his work on the Martha's House board; he is a very devoted volunteer for the homeless. In the primary, he said 70 percent of those incarcerated are awaiting trial, and he would provide leadership to prioritize those who couldn't pay their imposed $500 bond. This will ease overcrowding, the cost of incarceration and the societal cost of support for families without breadwinners. Sophia Travis is the one candidate running for county council who, like Steve, made it her business to know what is actually happening in our jail —concerned with jailers as well as the inmates. She will also work to stop overcrowding (a financial, legal, as well as an ethical problem for all county officials) through support of a crises intervention team approach. Mike Englert, if elected county commissioner, will be working full time to bring community leaders together to really tackle the problems in our jail as recommended by Judge Marc Kellams. We need dedicated, fresh, energetic county officials that understand the severity and complexity of our criminal justice system and are willing to take action for long-term change rather than talking about a piecemeal approach. Roberta McCloskey Bloomington