Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I find it unfortunate being pulled away from the business of my office to address false statements made last week by Mathews Market Days chairman Dee Russell.

Mathews Market Days is and has always been planned and run by an independent committee as a special event. Therefore, as the sheriff and a taxpayer, I have a problem with using or even asking for taxpayers’ dollars to compensate my deputies who work the event.

Planning for the 2013 Market Days, my office worked with committee members to find ways to help them curb costs while providing the necessary coverage by law enforcement. Man-hours were reduced from 102 to 70. We instituted a $30 hourly rate, instead of using overtime rates. Between 2013 and present, the total number of man-hours have ranged between 60 and 76. We can only estimate the total number of hours worked each year.

Mrs. Russell stated that we billed the committee for a variety of things to include an extra dispatcher, coverage out...