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Letters to the editor
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Dear editor,
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Today (Wednesday) my father, Bill Farmer, and I had a meeting with Carl Slaugh, Iola city administrator, Bill Shirley, Iola mayor, Chuck Apt, Iola city attorney, and Iola Chief of Police Jared Warner at their request.
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The meeting’s purpose was to formally apologize to my father for the April 14 wrongful arrest and to inform him the City of Iola was dropping the charges. My father was given a written apology, which was sent to the Iola Register and we do appreciate this gesture on their part.
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I am writing this letter and asking the editor to publish it so my father and I can formally thank a few people who we feel deserve mention.
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I first want to thank Allen County Sheriff Tom Williams. Sir, you have no idea how much my father and I are grateful for your kindness and support. You came down on several occasions to talk with my father and also went down there to check on his wellbeing after I called you expressing concern with his high stress level and mental well being. I personally thank you from the bottom of my heart that you cared to do what is right and remained unbiased in the investigation while still caring about my father as a person. My father will always remember you as “The Duke.” Thank you for all you did.
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Next I would like to thank Steve French, Iola city council member, Ward 4. He, too, stayed unbiased, was genuinely concerned for my father and wanted to make sure this was handled correctly. I thank him also for making sure he was there for me and any concerns or questions I had. I will continue to keep in contact with him due to the fact I want this incident reviewed fully by the Iola City Council and to make sure appropriate actions are administered regarding the officers involved. Thank you Steve, you always listened patiently and never made me feel like I was “bugging” you!
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I would also like to thank Mayor Shirley for going down to my father’s house and spending time with him after the incident. I realize the mayor had to stay neutral but again he did so in a professional manner and made my father feel more at ease. Mr. Shirley, my father really enjoyed talking “military talk” with you! Thank you, my father thinks you are an all right guy!
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My father and I would like to thank the Iola Register for its role in this also. It did such a superb job reporting on this story and was so personable and nice to my father. Special thanks to Susan Lynn, Richard Luken and Bob Johnson.
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Last but not least I would like to thank our family, friends and the citizens of Iola who reached out to my father and me during this difficult time. My father was astonished at how many people who he didn’t even know had come up to him and shared their support. I thank Iola citizens for being true smalltown folks who show what a close-knit town Iola really is!
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My hope in all of this is that the citizens of Iola, Kansas will realize they have civil rights and if they are wronged or if their civil rights are violated, that they will stand up for themselves!
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My other hope is the Iola Police Department will take a good hard look and reflect what its true mission is in our town of Iola, Kansas. The mission should be about the citizens and their “working together” to make Iola a safe and peaceful community.
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It shouldn’t be about “them against us” or that they are at war with the public, or just because they have a title or a uniform that gives them special powers or makes them “above the law.”
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In closing, even though my multiple trips to Iola since the 14th were sometimes unpleasant, I did enjoy seeing people I hadn’t seen for years and being reminded what Iola is all about. Iola is about the people and I still consider it “home” and always will.
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Respectfully,
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Tonya (Farmer) Shaughnessy,
