SENTENCE: I'd like one too, please

Sign me up! After reading the sentence Judge Fred Gibler imposed on Sandra Martinson for STEALING $140,000 of my tax dollars, I would like to offer my services to the county. I already have a job but I'm willing to take a leave of absence for three months if I can earn an extra $91,000. This amount is more than two years of my current pay - and no commuting expenses! And, I will be remorseful as well - after all, $91,000 is worth 90 days in county jail and the offering up of a little remorse. 

If the Coeur d'Alene Press is accurate in its reporting, Judge Gibler also seems to have questionable math skills. Gibler apparently accepted the excuse from Ms. Martinson that "financial stress" was the reason for the theft due to being diagnosed in 2007 with Multiple Sclerosis, the same year her husband lost his job. But according to her personal account and the routine retirement audit, she had been stealing from the county for 10 years, beginning seven years prior to her diagnosis and her husband's job loss.

While it's not the fault of Judge Gibler that there is a statute of limitations on the theft, in suspending the vast majority of her 10-year sentence, Judge Gibler sends a clear message that it's perfectly acceptable to steal - as long as there's a "good" excuse. A 90-day sentence? If this is representative of Judge Gibler's wisdom, my next vote for him will be "NO!"

TONY BRAY

Dalton Gardens