MITCH COOPER FOR SHERIFF COMMITTEE
P.O. Box 202
Altoona, Pennsylvania 16603

Dear Fellow Republican,

I would like to thank Sheriff Larry Field for his twenty years of service as Blair County Sheriff. He can take great pride in having served longer than any other Sheriff has. Moreover, he has served with honor and integrity. I congratulate him and wish him the very best.

I have had an interest in the position of Sheriff for some time. I am both encouraged and humbled by the support I have received from members of the public to campaign for the office.

I am well aware that Blair County continues to experience a serious drug and crime problem, as well as a very difficult financial situation. There are many challenges facing the Blair County Sheriff’s Office. These challenges require that a Sheriff be an effective manager. The role is too important to be anything else.

I have the necessary law enforcement and leadership ability to manage the Sheriff’s office in an effective and efficient manner. I have experience in supervising a police department during difficult financial times. The twenty-six years I spent with the Altoona Police Department, seven as the Deputy Chief, provided me with a solid foundation and strengths to succeed as Sheriff. I know I can make a positive contribution to Blair County.

Blair County is my home. I was born and raised here. After graduating from Bishop Guilfoyle High School in 1973, I enlisted in the United States Air Force. The five years I spent stationed in various locations throughout the United States and Europe gave me the appreciation of what a great community we have here. My wife Gina and I have made our home and raised our three children here in Blair County. This community has given us a lot. I want to continue to give back to this community.

When elected Sheriff, I will initiate a thorough review of the operation of the department. I will develop priorities within the department to ensure vital services are completed within the allotted budget.

I will ensure that lines of communication are open and maintained between other offices and agencies both inside and outside the courthouse. This will assist in ensuring that arrest warrants and civil processes are served in a timely manner.

I will ensure that convicted defendants sentenced to state correction institutions are expeditiously transported from the Blair County Prison to the state prison, so we are not paying for their continued lodging here in Blair County.

There are currently over fourteen hundred active arrest warrants on file in the Sheriff’s department. I will work diligently with department staff to significantly reduce that number within my first year in office.

I will investigate and pursue any available grant opportunities and ensure that all reimbursements for services rendered by the Sheriff’s department are collected.

Because of my belief that I have the necessary law enforcement and administrative experience to be an effective Sheriff, I am a candidate for Blair County Sheriff.

Once elected, I will of course manage the Sheriff’s department in a non-partisan manner. However, I am running as a Republican in the May 19th Primary Election; and look forward to managing the Sheriff’s department in a fiscally conservative manner.

I respectfully ask all Blair Countians for their support and vote on May 19. I assure you that I will not disappoint you.

Thank you,
Mitch Cooper