June 25, 2003

Dear Fulton County Residents and Taxpayers:

The last couple of years have been very difficult for the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. The budget for the Sheriff's Department has reached an all-time high of $90 million under the current sheriff’s administration, and yet prisoners continue to escape from the Fulton County Jail by opening locks and letting themselves out. Stabbings, fires and attacks upon inmates and officers are frequent occurrences. Sheriff Barrett insists that the Sheriff's Department's problems can only be resolved by allocating more and more and more money to the Sheriff's Department. As many citizens of Fulton County already know, the most effective and least costly way to resolve the Sheriff's many problems is to elect a new Sheriff on November 2, 2004!

I am very proud of the Fulton County Sheriff's Office and its accomplishments and I am extremely committed to the good work performed by officers every day. I also believe, however, that there are many, many ways to improve the office and its service to the public.

During my 12 years as a law enforcement officer, I have learned a great deal and have talked to countless people inside and outside the Sheriff's Department about changes that need to be made—changes that will ensure the safety of the citizens of Fulton County, minimize costly waste, and bring a higher standard of leadership to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.

In early March of 2003, after being assaulted by several inmates, I received calls from several Georgia political leaders urging me to become a candidate for Fulton County Sheriff. My family and I have given this a great deal of consideration, and decided to accept that challenge.

I believe that I can institute workable solutions that will improve the effectiveness of the Sheriff's office and improve the safety and security of the Fulton County Jail without creating a hardship for taxpayers. I will ensure that Sheriff's Deputies receive better training and equipment to contend with riotous circumstances. I will assign officers to work where the need is the greatest. I will ensure that the Fulton County Jail performs it most basic function—keeping cell doors locked when officers lock them. I believe that taxpayers' hard-earned money should be spent on protecting the taxpayers; not on creating comfortable career-niches for a disproportionate number of supervisory staff.

I also believe that the Sheriff of Fulton County must be accessible and accountable for the Department's actions, must use the Department budget wisely, and must establish a strong working relationship with other county and regional leaders. In short, I would bring integrity and accountability back to the Office of the Sheriff.

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office performs very serious work that requires a very serious, committed leader. The Sheriff's Office performs criminal investigations, maintains court and jail security, transports inmates, and assists in traffic enforcement. The Sheriff cannot afford to postpone decisions or solutions, and must not betray taxpayers by spending without care or a sense of accountability.

It is my goal to make the Fulton County Sheriff's Office a model for the rest of this State and even this nation. The current administration has received too much negative news coverage, embarrassing Fulton County and the people who work hard to serve in the Sheriff's Department. I have learned about law enforcement from the ground up and have a keen understanding of what is required of the Sheriff's office and I know that we can do better!

I truly believe that I am the best person to run the Sheriff's Department, but I also know that I will have to mount a very determined, decisive, aggressive campaign to win this office. The incumbent is quite established in her political career. She has been Sheriff since 1993. Because Fulton County is large and campaigning is expensive, she has faced little opposition in past elections. The people deserve to have a choice and I will fight to give it to them.

To be victorious, it will take effort and dedication, which are the hallmarks of this civic-minded community. I believe in the voters of this County, and I know that we will be victorious. However, with the high costs of campaigning, including brochures, yard signs, and advertisements, I need your help.

I humbly ask for your support in helping us rise to this great challenge. Your contribution to the campaign, payable to "Triplett for Sheriff," will enable us to present a powerful challenge to the incumbent. Gifts of $100, $250, $500 or $1,000 will help raise the necessary "seed money" needed to successfully launch this campaign.

Thank you in advance for your friendship and generous support.

Sincerely yours,

Daryll A. Triplett
Candidate, Fulton County Sheriff

Make Checks Payable To: THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT TRIPLETT FOR SHERIFF
1425 Market Blvd. Suite # 330,174
Roswell, Ga 30076
(404) 799-5350