Kudos To Michelle Santamaria
Personally, I’m grateful that the Santamaria family not only resides in our county, but their contribution has been outstanding. Having come here from the Philippines, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria had to overcome the obstacles associated with a new home/country, get an education and then succeed in business and starting a family. His family’s history is one of the great American success stories. No connections, no automatic open doors to higher education. No — everything had to come from within.
Through studying and hard work, Jess succeeded beyond the wildest dreams of most, and now sits as our non-political county commissioner. His long history of supporting charities continues, and he accepts no money for his time and effort as our county commissioner.
He gives frequent symposiums on some important subject to get public input — something unheard of before — and he brings experts in the field to assist. This on his dime and time!
During these citizen meetings, his daughter and son (also successful) attend. At these meetings, I have met his (adult) children and am impressed by their knowledge and demeanor. Certainly the apples have not fallen far from the tree.
From a demanding job at the State Attorney’s Office, Michelle Santamaria thought to improve and assist the criminal justice system, and train police in testimony, making them more effective and also better deputies as they know better, during the arrest time-frame, what will be required later.
We are in debt to this young inventive woman because her initiated program will ensure that more criminals indeed will go to jail, saving us untold money and the personal affliction of crime.
I commend our forward-looking sheriff, and I thank Michelle Santamaria for her acumen, and can only hope that one day a text can be initiated to help not only our state, but perhaps countrywide law enforcement. As a retired police officer, I can state unequivocally this is a boon, a new tool, that will make law enforcement more effective.
In the long run, it will save the taxpayer untold money and will affect crime statistics through a more knowledgeable police force.
George Unger, Wellington
