Folks in town got an interesting letter the other day from the local sheriff.  He had his hand out asking for money.

      The Ingham County Sheriff, a likable chap, was soliciting money for the Michigan Sheriff's Association to address "the ravaging effects of violence, theft, predators, drug abuse, and many other deadly types of crime."

      Can't figure out why he left out rape, Taliban attacks, and plundering and pillaging?   If you're tying to scare the begeezus out of the citizens, why not go all the way?

      Sheriff Gene Wrigglesworth, and supposedly all the other sheriffs who sent out the same correspondence, is trying to pick up the slack in the wake of state budget cuts to local units of government.

      When the governor and friends whacked a whopping $41 million out of state revenue sharing last week, the locals protested it would mean less public safety protection.

      Mr. Wrigglesworth says if you cough up 500 big ones, you can become, presto-change-o, an honorary sheriff.  You also get an I.D. card, discounts on your insurance, special training opportunities, whatever that is, and two decals.

      Ah, yes those handy-dandy decals that go on the windshield of your car.

     For sure no one has even proven this, but there's always been the suspicion that buying one of the decals is like owning a Get Out Of Jail Free card.  When your nasty sheriff or other local cop pulls you over and sees the decal, they just might turn friendly and let you go.

      There is no guarantee, but if you have a lead-foot, investing in a decal for $2.50 apiece could be like Mom's chic ken soap:  It can't hurt and it just might help.

      And if you pop for the $500, you get a $100 gift certificate to purchase a sheriff's styled duty cap, a lapel pin and an association front license plate.  You want to make sure the sheriff knows you are on his or her side.

      

      

---

We found the real 'Hotel California' and the 'Seinfeld' diner. What will you find? Explore WhereItsAt.com.