True's Pick: Mark Falk for Sheriff

Mark Falk for Cook County Sheriff
Acting Sheriff Mark Falk is just about the most user-friendly sheriff I've come across. He's kind and thoughtful, even known to help people having car trouble. He's a family man and he cares about families. "I enjoy every day; being sheriff is a way of life," Falk said. He stands for "honesty, trust, availability and commitment." He wants to keep Cook County a great place to live, and to build community relationships. He's been getting involved in town and city meetings over the past year. He's been working toward a Neighborhood Watch program.
Mark sees his mission to enforce the law, not make it or interpret it as he sees fit. His open-door policy with staff and citizens alike is real, not just a posture.
Opponent Bill Myers, like Mark, has years of experience in crime enforcement. He says it is time for a change and quotes former sheriff John Lyght: "The sheriff comes from the people and serves the people." He identifies three problem areas:

• Search and rescue: the sheriff's response is not working well now. (True note: You could have fooled me.)
• Accountability: Bill wants crime maps made available, a citizen complaint process, and more border crossing enforcement against "criminals."
• Credibility: Bill says we are nicknamed the "Catch and Release County."
  

I find Mark Falk's approach to be extremely open and accountable, virtually transparent in fact, unlike some local elected officials known to make back-door deals. As for "catch and release": well, it is Mark and his staff who are doing the catching. The releasing is a whole nother issue.
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