Just when I thought The Valley Review might be turning into a semi-"real" paper, they go and publish an anonymous letter to the editor that skirts the laws of libel (Vol. 2, Issue 8, April 16, 2004) blasting the actions of Connie Blair (daughter of Cheryl Blair, owner of Ed's True Value Hardware on Main Street) regarding a complaint she filed against a Sultan police officer. This letter follows the fine Sultan newspaper tradition established by the editor of its predecessor, The Sky Valley Weekly's Kenton Coy,

There are a couple of obvious problems with this letter, not the least of which is the glaring absence of the letter-writer's last name, address, phone number or any other identifying information by which a reader might support or oppose the writer's opinion. The second obvious problem is that this is a letter to "The Editor," of The Valley Review, and no one knows who he, she or they may be, as that information has never been published, despite the well-known fact (in Sultan, at least) that the paper is owned and operated by…"some"…family member or members of the Boucher Clan.

One of the first mandates of professional journalism is that a publisher print the "truth," verifiable by information gleaned from at least two reliable sources, and/or indisputable, published facts/documents. Even published opinion stated as fact should be grounded in truth (or at least touch on it occasionally).

Not so with a letter published by a Ms/Miss/Mrs. Anita B. "M/M/M B" takes the traditional defense attorney's posture of damning the innocent to whitewash the guilty, the primary reason why so many rapes and child molestation cases are never brought to light, much less prosecuted: the fear of coming forward and doing the right thing, only to be damned by the transgressor and his advocates. Stepping up and standing strong to report a wrong-doing of such a personal nature when the transgressor is a "regular" person is difficult enough, I can only imagine the courage it would take for a victim to do so when the transgressor is a police officer.

I will make this response as short and painless as possible for everyone concerned, beginning with a qualified concession of M/M/M B's assessment of the attributes possessed by the Sultan Police Officer in question. Although my interaction with this officer was limited, upon such incidents I will say that I also found that he comported himself in a professional and intelligent manner; and he seemed to be an officer who was "strong, professional, and dedicated to this community." I would, however, draw the line at agreeing with M/M/M B's statement that, "Every single man and woman that I am acquainted with in this town loved and respected this officer," except to say that I'm certain that her group of "acquaintances" and mine probably differ significantly in their view of life. The one fatal flaw this officer is purported to possess, which M/M/M B selectively omitted, is his interest in young girls.

Regarding M/M/M B's assessment of Connie Blair ("this so-called victimized local lady") she credits her with come-hither, temptress-like behavior, and uses the following terms in a degrading context:

• "a somewhat immature woman"
• "this attractive lady is very friendly and flirtatious"
• [she] "appears to be very pretty and overfriendly"
• "she is still up to her flirtatious ways" [after the resignation of the officer]

This "so-called victimized local lady" is, as is her mother, Cheryl Blair, one of the most beautiful people -- both inside and out -- that I have ever had the pleasure and privilege of knowing. Connie Blair possesses, as does her mother, qualities that seem to have all but vanished from this increasingly money-grabbing, hard and cynical world. A short list follows….

• Sweet-natured
• Good-hearted to a fault
• Generous
• Loving
• Honest
• Demonstrative in their caring and love for people
• Aggressively helpful and giving to those less fortunate
• An almost childlike love of life and people
• Sensitive and thoughtful
• Noble
• Courageous

In short, they embody the best Dickensonian traits of any heroine published in any of his novels, the best-of-the-best that is the City of Sultan. One more small attribute they possess which I almost forgot: One can ALWAYS count on them for doing the right thing, rather than doing what might put one or two coins in their till. Indeed, they're always giving things away, either as new people who come into their lives need assistance or just for the pleasure they receive from giving.

The identity of the officer in question must remain hidden, as we have been told by reliable sources that on at least two occasions this officer threatened legal action, squashing previous stories of inappropriate behavior where under-age girls are concerned. To paint him as an innocent lamb (which is the oblique comparison contained in the title of B's letter), is ludicrous.

Here are the facts, which refute M/M/M B's inaccuracies…

First and foremost, Miss Blair is 20, not 21, which makes it illegal for her to drink. Moreover, the officer was on duty and in uniform at the time, and Miss Blair was working at True Value, not "outside her place of employment." Anita B's letter stated the officer "just asked her out for a date." This is only partially true. He asked her to come to his home "to have a drink and snuggle" and watch TV (or a video). Miss Blair said she made it quite clear to him that his offer had made her very uncomfortable. She told him that his advances were unwelcome. There was a witness in the store at the time of Miss Blair's rejection of his proposal. The next day she filed the complaint with the police, whereupon the officer was placed on suspension pending an investigation. According to information we have, the officer was ordered not to have any contact with Miss Blair, or even to go into Ed's True Value. Following this specific direction by his superior, the officer went almost immediately to the store to speak with Connie to ask her whether he had "offended her in some way." There was also a witness present during that verbal exchange. Finally, Anita B.'s letter selectively omits the most important point of all: This officer's behavior reflects poorly upon all officers in the Sultan Police Department because he broke the oath he took to uphold the law. It is my perhaps-outdated belief that those who create and enforce the laws under which we live should set the example for us, not see how large a "gray" area they can move within without getting "caught." Pretty simple stuff, that.

One last inaccuracy: M/M/M B's letter said the officer "was forced to leave (resign)" over this issue. He was not. He, as did Chief Walser during his suspension by Rowe, had every opportunity to stick around and clear his name. It was the officer's choice to offer his resignation, either because he could not afford to risk the scrutiny or did not wish to endure such an ordeal. He was not charged with a crime, nor deprived of any of his retirement, pension or benefits that any police officer leaving the department would receive. This officer is now free to go to another law enforcement agency and apply for work. Unfortunately.

When we were made aware of this situation many weeks ago, we were asked to keep it under our hats, for the good of Connie Blair, the Sultan PD and the City in general. We complied with that request despite our discomfiture with the ethics of not reporting behavior unbecoming to an officer of the law. And we kept our silence even after the officer resigned, as we felt it had died a quiet death except for those involved. There was no "buzz in Sultan," on this issue as stated by M/M/M B in her letter, until she (or whomever wrote that letter) created one. Now, however, we can break our vow of silence.

Something that bothers me about this situation is that this cat was not just let out of the bag; it was YANKED from it, meowing and yowling

We have heard through the grapevine that The Boucher Clan is quite upset about this officer's departure. This is especially strange when one considers that most of the Bouchers have historically been, at least publicly in council meetings, critical -- even hostile -- to the Sultan police department. We have also heard that Brady Boucher's fiancée/reporter wanted to do a story on this subject, but for reasons I will not relate here, was encouraged not to do so. Then this letter "magically" appears in their newspaper. It leaves one curious as to the reasons why the Bouchers would publish this letter weeks after the actual event.

Are the Bouchers that desperate for TVR sales that they would manufacturer a crisis? Does this have anything to do with a possible Boucher-officer link? What about how it may impact the upcoming police levy? Other thoughts occur to us as well. If the Bouchers wished to focus crisis-level attention on the police department, why, instead of attacking an extraordinary young woman, did they not do a story on the fact that the City of Sultan is now listed as a "high crime rate area" due at least in large part to the steady exodus of police officers following the treatment the Department received under Rowe's Reign? Why did they not talk about the fact that the Department has been, and is now, operating below minimum safety levels? Why not publicize the resignation of Commander J. C. Becker, who, during his tenure, gave an extraordinary effort -- both during his on- and off-duty hours -- to raise the level of professionalism of the Sultan PD, the loss of which is a great blow to Sultan, the effects of which have not yet been felt? Or how about a story that might counterpoint the one they ran several weeks ago, blasting Becker for the manner in which he handled the mugging of Eldon Criswell? How about a story on the reasons for Comdr. Becker resignation? The final straw, in a rather large historical haystack, involved the Eldon Criswell matter and the public criticism leveled at both he and the Department, capping several years of ill-tempered and repeated "cop-bashing" at the hands of Mayor Rowe and Councilmen Jim Porter and Rob Criswell, and more recently during the 2004 Council Retreat, wherein Criswell and the Bouchers added significant straw to that already-high haystack.

As most readers of my website are aware, I'm a supporter of the Sultan police department. I believe a strong but ethical force was absolutely essential during Mayor Rowe's administration, but perhaps even moreso now, as it looks likely that Sultan is gearing up to make the same mistake Rowe and Broughton made during their terms -- "Death By Development" -- trading short-term, transitory development fees to finance long-term debt (can't be done). And as Sultan's population grows -- especially if these new houses are of the "affordable first starter" variety, it's vital that the police force grow stronger to keep ahead of that growth and the inevitable increase in crime that will follow.

I believe that even one rotten apple can ruin the barrel. I also understand that mistakes have been made in the past to cover inappropriate behavior by a couple of police officers. But I have no doubt that Chief Walser, someone I respect and admire as both a fine man and conscientious public servant, will do his utmost to ensure the continued protection of Sultan's citizens. There is no room in a professionally-run police department for officers who participate in this type of behavior, and we know that Chief Walser, more than anyone, understands that. We're certain he will continue to elevate the professionalization of the Department, begun so ably by Commander J. C. Becker, an officer Sultan will miss more than anyone perceives, except, perhaps, the Chief.

I am saddened by this event and how it may affect the Sultan PD during this critical time. I am also saddened that The Valley Review felt it necessary to print this letter, which hurts not only the Department, the officer in question and the City of Sultan, but has severely injured and damaged Connie Blair. I am saddened by the sight of tears coursing down her face, someone who is far too young to learn the biting pain that comes from mean-spirited public criticism leveled at one who is doing the right thing. But most of all I am saddened that this child of light and love who, like her mother, seems to live only to serve others and make the world a better, more enjoyable place, was made to feel shame, as if she were the one who had done something wrong and broken the law, rather than the other way around.

Finally, we are certain that TVR needs to print a retraction equal to the space and intensity with which it published the unsigned "Anita B" letter, along with the many letters of support they are certain to receive on behalf of Cheryl and Connie Blair's character and courage in taking appropriate action.

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If they won't print the letter -- or even if they do -- you can also send letters to the following papers:

(April 19, 2004)