My name is Isabelle “Belle” Williams and I am voting for Gabe Frase for sheriff.
I encourage you to do the same.
My decision is based on being around law enforcement in one way or another for as long as I can remember. I was born and raised in Morton. I grew up in an “ambulance household” (my parents owned the Morton Ambulance Service) and like most family businesses, our whole family worked it.
Because of that, I had a lot of contact with all types of EMS and law enforcement personnel. I have seen different levels of response, decisive actions and individual character traits.
I have seen a lot of elections. My first exposure was when I was 11 years old with my father. We walked all over Morton handing out Red Cross First Aid Books stamped with “Vote for Sheriff Wiester.”
I still believe that was the most beneficial and useful campaign handout.
Years later, after serving as a road reserve officer for the Morton Police Department for almost two years, Sheriff Wiester hired me in 1985.
That began my 39-year career with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) in which I served under five sheriffs — Wiester, Logan, McCroskey, Mansfield and Snaza.
I worked in two bureaus — corrections and services. I held a variety of ranks and positions — corrections officer, jail deputy, corporal, sergeant, administrative sergeant, inspector and director.
Because of my various ranks and job functions, I worked with not only LCSO personnel, but with personnel and officers from other law enforcement agencies, both within and outside of Lewis County.
These opportunities allowed me to observe job performances, teamwork capability, leadership qualities, and character traits such as honesty, integrity, self-accountability, compassion, work ethics and good old fashioned human decency.
Between now and summer, a substantial number of LCSO employees across all three bureaus are reaching their well-deserved retirement dates. As such, a lot of experience will be going out those doors.
All elections are important, but with all of the upcoming changes the incoming sheriff will face, this election is very important. The LCSO needs a leader that can focus and govern. One that can affect change in a thoughtful, steadfast and lawful manner. One that has knowledge of civil laws. One that can oversee management of the office, the employees, and focus on all the necessary changes that will be taking place. One that can build foundations and bridges between people and agencies.
Gabe Frase is a good man. Simple words, but they speak volumes. He is humble. He is a man of service. He cares about people and he believes in the Constitution, the laws and will carry them out to the best of his ability.
He is fair. He is decisive. He has served our country. There are some things you cannot teach or train — a person either has it or they don’t. That is honesty, integrity and the desire to always do the right thing.
Gabe Frase has it. Please elect him to be our next sheriff.
Isabelle Williams
Chehalis
