Thank  you for visiting my web site.  I am running for Franklin County Sheriff because I want to be a leader in preserving the quality of life in the county in which I have lived my whole life, and the county where I chose to raise my family. I believe my 16 years of law enforcement experience and 7 years in the state legislature give me valuable insight I can offer as Sheriff.

We all realize that times are changing.  The management skills and philosophies that worked 20 years ago are not effective in this new and challenging time. We can let events shape us, or we can take control and lead with new vision, skills and values. Strong leadership at the County level will be the difference in how strongly we emerge from this economic recession and how quickly we rebound.  This is important for two reasons:
 

1. Safe communities draw people buying homes and locating businesses.
 

2. Money saved in public safety can be used to support other functions such as education and economic development.

Rep. Chris Donelan, along with Montague Police Chief Ray Zukowski, greets
Lt. Gov. Tim Murray for a tour of the new Montague Police Station. Donelan and Murray
worked to get a state public safety grant to help Montague with the cost of the new police station.

Rep. Chris Donelan speaks to law enforcement leaders from across Western Mass. at the ground breaking ceremony for the new Public Safety Facility at the University of Massachusetts.

I will be a leader in a regional and collaborative approach to law enforcement and emergency preparedness that will improve service, save money and qualify Franklin County for valuable state and federal grant funds. Doing more with less is the way we will provide for our citizens and pave the way to long term success without raising your property taxes.

As your State Representative, I have worked to bring programs, services and resources to Franklin County. As Sheriff, I will work to manage these programs and resources in an efficient and effective way.  Wise management of these scarce resources is the work I feel compelled to do to help our communities through these difficult economic times.

There is no limit to what we can do if we work together.  That is especially true in Franklin County.  I invite you to look through the pages of my web site and to contact me if you have any questions or comments. I appreciate your consideration and ask for your vote in 2010.

Chris Donelan