This is in response to Anna Hamilton’s letter (directed to me personally) in last week’s News- Herald.
Anna…so many CAPITAL LETTERS! You must think I own a “Support Child Abuse” T-shirt! Feel free to inspect my closet… and be assured that our feelings concerning child abuse are in perfect harmony.
Seth Jeffs has legally purchased land in my neighborhood. He has received permits from the county to develop that property and has the same rights and freedoms as any of us. Yes, he is or has been a member of the FLDS church, but I think you may find something about religious freedom in the U.S. Constitution.
I am aware of the beliefs of the FLDS church and the past abusive behavior of some its members. Yes, Seth’s brother Warren has been convicted of grievous instances of child abuse and is rightfully serving a life plus twenty years prison sentence. If Seth Jeffs has been found guilty of sexual child abuse why is he not also in prison? Granted he has apparently had issues with alimony, child support and food stamps.
Black balling him from the county is certainly not legal. Flying a drone over his property to spy on him and then “trumping” up extensive cease and desist order infractions to make his building project as difficult as possible is just plain wrong. Perhaps county officials should set up a review board to screen prospective residents? Any interest in being the board chair Anna?
Should Jeffs commit a crime in Cook County, I have every confidence that our Sheriff’s Department and court system will hold him accountable. We’ve been staffing the Violence Prevention Program for nearly 30 years…no doubt they would provide assistance to any women or children should abuse become an issue.
If you feel so strongly about child abusers “who currently live in this county…or world” shouldn’t helping women and children residing here in Cook County be preferable to letting abuse happen somewhere else unchecked? The “not in our county” attitude is unconscionably self-serving.
We’ve survived gangsters, bank robbers, prostitutes, felons and miscreants residing in our county before…I’m not losing any sleep over Mr. Seth Jeffs.
Bob LaMettry
Pike Lake Road,
Grand Marais
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