Thank you for the interview Mr. Lease. You just made my decesion for whom i'm voting for much easier!

Informative interview...good job

Its going to be a tough race.. Sounds like Trochesset,Campbell,Lease,and Pruitt all come from the same mold and have the same goals and Ideas for the Sheriff dept. (This is how 3 generations of my family have done it and thats how we need to keep doing it) Hard to decide which one to vote for,,I guess I'll put all 4 names in a hat and pick one... I like your idea, Lets keep the Sheriff dept. the same Sheriff dept.as it has always been!

I knew he would do good on this interview because he is not one that will sugar coat anything just to get your vote. He is a down to earth STREET OFFICER, who knows the needs of GALVESTON COUNTY. I worked for him for many years and saw his dedication first hand. He has the experience in making decisions on the fly and they were the right decisions. He will take care of the Deputies and Citizens of this county because he has walked in our shoes in Galveston County. Ray Lease is one that wants to be Sheriff for us and not for himself. There are a couple of candidates here that I know generally care about the direction of the Sheriff's Office like Ray Lease but he by far is the one with the most Galveston County law enforcement experience. I hope people don't get caught up in the hype. Vote for a Sheriff that has experience here in OUR county. Remember this is not Hollywood, this is real life and we need a Sheriff that is real. Ray Lease is a proven leader.

A very pragmatic approach and some keen insights into the Sheriff's Office. This interview along with the others have been very informative. My concern is the past association and if Mr Lease could really be objective in making the changes and difficult choices to get the Sheriff's Office on the right track.

Great interview. I appreciate the fact that you do not try to sugar coat issues just to pull in votes. I have known Ray Lease many years and worked under his command. I have never met a leader with his abilities. He will not tell you something he cannot do, and when he says he is going to do something he takes care of it. Ray Lease understands what it's like to be a law enforcement officer and what it takes to do the job. I worked in the patrol division when he was commander and it was the most productive patrol division in GSO history. That is a fact that can be backed up by stats. Ray Lease wants to be Sheriff to better the agency and citizens, not himself. Thanks Ray for all of your service and keep up the hard work.

Great interview

For those who are still on the fence about who is going to do the best job I hope you give Ray the benefit of a meet and greet.

Whenever people run for office they start out with good intentions but have a tendency to make “campaign promises” to get votes. I had the honor of talking with Ray for over an hour about the Sheriff’s Office. Ray was genuine with his responses weather popular or not. I think I am the same as every other person; I can appreciate a person that tells me what’s on their mind versus what they thinks is on mine.

There are several candidates this year to choose from. The Sheriff’s Office does need a change but that does not necessarily equal someone from another agency or other county. Ray is a unique candidate because he has the incite gained from years faithful service with the added benefit of looking from the outside in.

The office of Sheriff is not a block of time on his resume or bragging rights for whenever he retires. Ray has already retired but now wants the opportunity to make some of the common sense adjustments that need to be made.

“Well if he was a Major all of those years then he was a part of the problem.” I know some people believe this but it is an unfair assumption. Unless you are the Sheriff, you’re not the boss. If your work for a strong minded Sheriff that is only interested in their ideas then yours will not get implemented.

This is the same in any business or corporation. It is the same reason company leaders are replaced so frequently. If the company stock prices drop and doesn’t rebound then changes are made by the shareholders. The Sheriff’s Office is very similar. The tax payers are the shareholders in the Sheriff’s Office; they get to choose to keep the CEO or replace him every 4 years.

I have been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for over 10 years and if I’m fortunate will retire in 25 more. I love this agency and enjoy being able to help the citizens, enforce the law and keep our community safe. I am able to be the type of police officer that I should be. The Sheriff’s Office currently does not produce “RoboCops” or “income generators” like are becoming the norm at municipalities. We can be reflections of the various communities we serve. I do not think we need to be molded into another agency just improved upon.

I say all of that to say this; I would not speak up unless I whole heartily thought Ray was the right man for the job. He will serve the citizens directly by being available and indirectly by improving the agency. If moral improves then so does the service that is delivered to the citizens

I have not said anything negative about the other candidates because I think they are all fine qualified law enforcement professionals. I just feel Ray is the most qualified for Sheriff.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and please attend the upcoming candidate debate.

Couldn't had said it better myself Stephenson

Veterans have the experience the county needs.