By Uncle Irvin

In the Nov. 3 municipal election, there are a bunch of county offices besides the county commissioner's race on the ballot.

These offices are largely ceremonial and provide a financial reward for political party faithfuls. Since the GOP controls Chester County, all county row office candidates are Republican, and stand to get elected or re-elected.

The office of the sheriff is often mistaken as a row office. But in Chester County, the sheriff and deputies provide security in the courthouse, among other important law enforcement duties.

A professional sheriff and her or his staff are vital, as illustrated in the recent shooting of an armed intruder by a deputy sheriff who was protecting the entrance to the courthouse.

This alert deputy saved lives by shooting an armed suspect (the same guy that the White House Secret Service let go after breaching the White House fence.)

The deputies are recruited, hired and supervised by Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh, who is running for re-election.

Sheriff Welsh has been honored by her peers by being elected as President of the State Association of Sheriffs as well as the National Association of Sheriffs.

Sheriff Welsh is not a row officer because she works full-time and is a true professional law enforcement officer that is responsible for vitally important duties.

She merits re-election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

(Uncle Irvin's column is his opinion only, and is not a news story.)