I was going to stay out of the Sheriff’s race—Bev’s Burner has covered the topic quite well. However, I feel compelled to say something and remember this is totally my opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the newspaper.

It is now a well-known fact that current Sheriff Milton Wright detests this newspaper and apparently all who are associated with it. I was shocked when he projected that feeling, in no uncertain terms, to me a few weeks ago. I called to get an explanation on a request he had placed on the commissioner’s court agenda. It was a simple request and would have taken all of a couple of minutes to answer. Instead, he took the time to get on the phone to tell me that he would never talk to me again. A few other choice comments were made before he slammed down in my ear. He accused me of having misquoted him after a “long interview.” I hadn’t had a long interview with him in many months and I couldn’t recall a story quoting him.

After checking my stories I found that I hadn’t had a mental lapse. There was no lengthy interview; no misquotes--–in fact I couldn’t find a recent story in which I quoted him, much less misquoted him.

So, I checked with my fellow staff members. One had indeed done an interview recently but it did not result in a story. Obviously you can’t misquote someone if you don’t quote them in the first place, so, I’m still mystified about the “this will be the last time I ever talk to you—don’t call me again” outburst.

Last week I heard that some nasty underhanded stuff has been distributed to the public on Billiy Frank Teague, presumably by Milton or some folks in his immediate support group. I spoke with Billy Frank about the information packets that were given out at a political forum (and picked up at the end of the forum by a close family member of the Sheriff) and he had some very adequate explanations for all the outdated paperwork.

I must say that based on the recent encounter I had with Milton and his references to all the things that he claimed I did that I actually didn’t do—well—I would just take anything he said with a grain of salt. In other words, plainly put, I now wouldn’t believe a thing that came out of his mouth!

I think it is time to return professionalism to the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. It isn’t the Milton Hilton as he so proudly dubbed the Fort Bend County Jail when he took office. And the Milton Mafia shouldn’t run rough-shod over those who don’t see it their way. Milton’s flippant comments and Howdy-Doody grin have worn thin.

I’ve known Billy Frank Teague since he was an employee of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department some 25 plus years ago. I know he is up against an entrenched incumbent and that is a huge obstacle to overcome. But he is honest, has worked his way through the ranks as a dispatcher, patrol officer, and a detective in a regular law enforcement environment. He then went on to have a 16-year career with the Texas DPS and after retiring eventually returned to law enforcement as the lieutenant of the patrol division of the Richmond Police Department. He is one heck of a good guy and, in my opinion, would make a wonderful Sheriff.