I had the honor of serving the San Marcos/Hays County community as a police officer for more than 20 years before retiring last year from the San Marcos Police Department as a Commander. During that time, I worked very closely with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office including being one of the first members and organizers of the current joint Narcotics Task Force, joint SWAT Team, and the ALERRT Training program. Each of these programs began as a joint venture between SMPD and the Sheriff’s Office.
Because of my personal experience, I have been asked by many in the community about my opinion of the Sheriff’s race. I can say without any hesitation that Sheriff Gary Cutler is the most qualified and experienced person in this race. Although there are many examples I could cite as to why his opponent should never be Sheriff, I would rather focus on the great job Sheriff Gary Cutler is doing at the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Gary Cutler has extensive leadership, budgeting and management experience. He immediately began saving the County over $500,000 a year by not housing our inmates in the Guadalupe County jail like his opponent did. Those savings are now being used to repair and update our jail so it will continue to last and we will not have to build a new one anytime soon. In addition, he has put inmates to work picking up trash along the highways and cleaning up public property and parks. Finally, Sheriff Gary Cutler turns the lights out in the jail at 10:00 p.m. instead of allowing inmates to stay up until 1:00 a.m. watching TV and playing games as his opponent did. This is also saving thousands of dollars in electric bills and establishing discipline in the jail.
Sheriff Gary Cutler has received the endorsement of every law enforcement association in Hays County, something that has never been done. The Sheriff’s Office enjoys great working relationships again with other area law enforcement agencies and previously strained relationships have been repaired. Property crimes and violent crimes are both down. Morale is higher than it has been in years.
These are just a few examples of the great, professional work being done at the Sherriff’s Office under the leadership of Sheriff Gary Cutler. Please join me in voting for Sheriff Gary Cutler and continuing to move the Hays County Sheriff’s Office forward.
Terry Nichols
San Marcos
