Johnson appointment lacks integrity

I was one of those people who helped collect signatures for a special election to fill the seat vacated when Johnson County Supervisor Larry Meyer passed away last September. I became involved when Janelle Rettig was appointed to fill the seat. Kim Painter, Johnson County recorder, was on Ms. Rettig's election committee and on the appointment committee. Tom Slockett, Johnson County auditor, endorsed Rettig and sat on the appointing committee. Of three people on the committee, two had close political ties to Ms. Rettig. To no one's surprise, Rettig was appointed.

There has to be integrity in our system. That's why we stood on the street - all over - and got the 7,299 signatures needed to force a special election. We didn't misrepresent anything. I don't remember Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek approaching us or asking us about our petition. The right to vote is a non-partisan issue. This is about fairness in government and our election process.

It is incredible that our county sheriff has used his position to come out against a grass-roots effort on our right to vote. Did Sheriff Pulkrabek write a letter to the editor about his budget and a needed deputy when Janelle Rettig co-chaired the $20 million conservation bond that passed last year? He is sending an intimidating message to the community - unprecedented for a sheriff acting in an official capacity.

I encourage everyone to vote on Jan. 19 in the Johnson County special election for Johnson County supervisor.

Katherine Ryan Hogendorn

Solon