Why the consultant?

I read with great interest the letter from Beal College President Allen Stehle in the May 20 Bangor Daily News. Certainly any private citizen is entitled to express his or her opinion regarding any political candidate. However, I was disappointed Stehle chose to involve Beal College’s fine academic reputation as a part of his letter.

Even more disturbing was Stehle’s omission that on Jan. 7 he submitted, and was awarded, a “consulting contract” with the Penobscot County commissioners. The contract language states that Stehle will “assist the Chief Deputy (Glenn Ross) in the planning, administration and assessment of the efficiency and professionalism of the Sheriff’s Department.” Stehle is being compensated at the rate of $20 an hour, 10 hours a week, to “improve the overall efficiency of the department, and to regain the professional reputation of the department in the eyes of the citizens of Penobscot County.”

Readers must wonder why, if as Stehle states in his letter, the sheriff’s office leadership (Ross) is highly professional and dedicated, an expensive consultant is necessary to “improve the efficiency of the Sheriff’s Department and regain the professional reputation in the eyes of the citizens of Penobscot County.”

Timothy B. Richardson

Candidate for sheriff

of Penobscot County