Paul Gallegos has done more with less, deserves re-election

Dear Editor,

Of all the differences between the candidates for district attorney, one that no one seems to talk about is: which man has ever run a business?

Paul Gallegos was in private practice for many years before becoming district attorney. He had to live on a budget, pay rent and utilities, make a payroll, fund his bar dues, finance a library, buy malpractice insurance, pay for supplies and manage the many other expenses involved in running a law firm. He knows how to make do. And as far as I can tell, he’s done a remarkable job with a shrinking budget. He even pitches in and tries murder cases himself, something no other DA in California does.

Dikeman, by contrast, is a career county employee. He has grandiose ideas for new positions, but where is the money for them? More taxes? The Board of Supervisors cut the DA’s budget by 25 percent over the past three years, yet crime in our community is way down. I think we should applaud a public servant who does more with less, prioritizes well and, in addition to management duties, makes himself the “sixth man” on the trial team when needed.

And notice this irony: The police unions that support Dikeman are the same people who got legislation passed allowing them to retire at age 50 with almost full pay — while you, the taxpayer, foot the bill. Why is the county so short on funds for core services like the district attorney? Could the lavish funding of police pensions be one reason?

It seems to be that a fiscally responsible voter has just one choice in this race: vote to re-elect District Attorney Paul Gallegos.

Jennifer Keller
Trinidad