Dear Editor:  

I am now a resident/voter/property owner/civic volunteer of Red River County.  I also am an attorney and registered pharmacist.  I moved to Bowie County in 1973 and worked as an Assistant District Attorney.  I have been in private practice since 1975 and have always been involved in progressive politics.  Many of my friends and I effected a major change in Bowie County politics in 1978 by convincing honorable candidates to oppose the “good ol’ boys” and the legal system that had no checks and balances.  Remember Judge Herbert Line and D.A. Lynn Cooksey?  I’m sure many of you remember Judge Line who was also the District Judge here.  These folks were defeated and a fair and honest sheriff was elected who was an advocate for fair law enforcement.  Prior to this defeat of the “good ol’ boys,” the criminal justice system in Bowie County was abominable.  We have the same in Red River County today.  We have a “good ol’ boy” system where the police, sheriff’s department, J.P., constable, county attorney and county judge routinely work, eat, party and informally/formally discuss “criminal matters.”  There are no checks and balances.  There is no objective voice between law enforcement and our citizens.  How many search warrant/arrest warrant requests have been refused by our J.P. and judge?  Ask them.  Red River County law enforcement and the county attorney have tried many frivolous cases, indicted people without adequate cause, issued numerous search warrants based on a confidential informant with questionable credibility and reliability, sent emails without lawful authority, refused to prosecute prominent citizens and caused civil rights lawsuits to be filed against Red River County.  You can end this “good ol’ boy” system by electing a sheriff who will be a true “check and balance” and an objective voice to the citizens of our county.

M. Mark Lesher

Political Advertisement Paid for by M. Mark Lesher