As I read the letter to the editor on Sept. 13 (“MB McAfee is our strongest candidate”), I had to smile.

Mr. Jim Richards states: “At the forum, McAfee’s responses to questions on the issues were informed, thoughtful and constructive. They were rational.”

Sounding rational is to be expected when your friends get up and ask scripted questions and the candidate gives prepared answers. She even brought her own cheerleading section.

It is understandable that Mr. Richards and several others were impressed. Ms. McAfee’s professional experiences are commendable. But Montezuma County needs more than ideology and a person willing to help with the social service programs available through government funding.

Montezuma County needs a strong and proven leader that can manage the most difficult issues while remaining focused on the objectives. Jim Candelaria’s career as a command officer with Farmington Fire Department has provided him with the experience necessary to remain calm under fire and provide leadership and guidance to accomplish the strategic goals and tactical objectives.

His experience and reputation as a program manager with FFD proved that he could manage the growing demands of public expectations for emergency services with a limited budget.

His experience as a homebuilder demonstrates his ability to take good thoughts and ideas, act on them and see them through to completion.

He is a man of action, not an ideology. We need a commissioner that understands the issues and has a proven ability to lead us under the most difficult situations. Jim Candelaria is that person.

Timothy James

Mancos