Letter to the Editor

Mr. Madrid,
I read your excellent article, A quieter and gentler J.D. emerges on Thursday. Even though I did not vote for
Mr. Hayworth I always believed he was a man with deep convictions.

I want to ask you about the last point in your article regarding CountyAttorney Andrew Thomas but before I do I want to compare Mr. Thomas to Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

For a long time we have known that the Sheriff has never met a TV camera he did not like. He takes every opportunity to hold a press conference even if the issue is of little consequence. I notice that lately the sheriff has been taking this technique to a new level. The idea of sheriffs officers trying to enforce immigration law has long troubled me. I wonder why this issue has not been addressed in the media with more detail. I am sure that the Sheriffs popularity might have something to do with it. I saw in the Republic today that at least he has now asked the County Board of Supervisors for the funds to get some training for his officers. If the sheriff is hell bent on deporting illegals then I am glad he is at least seeking resources to do it. But doesn't this action operate outside his jurisdiction? I am sure that the sheriffs supporters will applaud him for trying to step in to remedy a situation where the INS and Border Patrol is heavenly burdened. But I have always seen the issue as Joe Arpaio taking advantage of what he knows is a hot button issue with the voters of Maricopa County.

Now enter Andrew Thomas. Your last point indicated that Mr. Thomas is working to achieve faster trials in in death penalty cases. What does that mean exactly? How he is working to accomplish this? He is working with the courts on this issue?
What can he do to speed these trails up? and if he can do something isn't this a state court issue. Unless I am mistaken the state decides in matter of death penalty cases. A County Attorney can no more expedite these cases then you or I can or can he? I just don't understand these high profile, publicly elected politicians either operating outside of their specific duties or at the very least pushing the boundaries of their offices.

What is next, State Senator Ron Gould R- Lake Havasu introducing a bill to support the Presidents troop build up?


Kevin Maxwell
Gilbert AZ.