The vice president of the Polk County Deputy Sheriffs Association last week publicly denied that any deputies were involved in defacing “Stop” signs across southern Polk County with “No Moore” stickers last spring.

“We take offense to the assertion by some that we have criminals and persons of low morals, or bad apples, in our midst,” Joe Vierkandt said during the public comment period of the July 20 Polk County Board meeting. “As professionals involved in public safety, we are offended by these allegations.”

The “No Moore” stickers were directed at Polk County Sheriff Tim Moore. They began appearing before Moore announced he will not seek re-election this year, citing health concerns and a disdain for the negative nature of today’s political campaigns as his prime reasons.

Vierkandt, of Amery, said deputies in the union are concerned about “a whisper and smear campaign that’s been taking place in an attempt to discredit members of the union.”

Specifically, he believes sheriff candidate Tim O’Hare has been the target of unfounded suspicion.

Without naming any specific individuals, Vierkandt concluded with this somewhat generalized accusation: “We believe it is an insult when people in public positions disseminate distorted views and lies about individuals within our association.”

— Buz Swerkstrom