Vote for A.J.

Dear Editor:I’m Buddy Sims, a friend and fellow member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10721 with A.J. Johnson. I first met A.J. and Barbara Johnson during a Veterans Day program many years ago where Tom Kirk spoke about being a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam.I learned that A.J. had served honorably in two military services and had completed a tour of duty in the Coast Guard in Vietnam in 1967 and later was a member of the Colorado Army National Guard’s 19th Special Forces Group. A.J. has been a successful private businessman in the communications industry, served six years in Vail in municipal services and was the Eagle County sheriff for 20 years. This adds up to more than 26 years of public service and A.J. seeks to continue to serve this community as Eagle County commissioner. I have seen A.J. in action at the sheriff’s office protecting the citizens of Eagle County, a stalwart citizen helping to lead the annual Vail 4th of July Parade, and always being there for the kids on Veterans Day school assemblies.He has been involved in or helped establish many community programs and public events – Freedom Park Memorial, Battle Mountain Recreation League, Minturn Boxing Club, Eagle Valley Youth Council, Red Sandstone and Minturn Middle School Parents Association, Vail Valley Youth Karate Club, Vail’s first Teen Center, Eagle County Victims Rights Response Program, established the Red Sand Stone and Minturn Middle Youth Drug Awareness programs, Battle Mountain Track Re-build Project, established the first Victims Rights Response program in Eagle County, countywide Crime Stoppers Program, enhanced E-911 program, first countywide drug task force, community policing program, first sex offender and awareness registration program, first full-time emergency management operations, first Dare program/Life Skills in local schools, first school resource officer program, child protection team, founding member Eagle Valley Youth Coalition, and established Eagle County’s first Quality and Participation Group. As you have seen over the years, A.J. has been very active and made a difference in Eagle County.I can assure you he will hit the ground running after he becomes county commissioner because he has a proven 26-year track record of dedicated accomplishments in Eagle County. He is familiar with Eagle County problems and has the experience to work solutions in the best interest of all county citizens. He knows all the county government employees and will treat them with the respect that they deserve. He will bring decency and integrity to the commissioner’s job. He will support Eagle County residents, the state of Colorado, the Congress, and the president in this global war on terrorism. I ask for your support. Vote for A.J. Johnson for Eagle County commissioner – he will work for you!Buddy SimsEdwards