I was excited to have been able to support Relay for Life, which was again a huge success this year in Louisa County. I was told by one of the organizers that we in Louisa County out-raised every other locality in the state on a per capita basis. This doesn't come as a surprise. This spirit of community is one of the reasons why, after having grown up in Louisa, and then lived in numerous other states and nations around the world, I moved my family back to Louisa County following my military service.

The following is a letter that I handed out on turn one of the Relay For Life course, along with ice cold (and free!) bottles of water. When you read it, you will understand why events such as this one are so important to my family. I want to sincerely thank all of you who supported the event, and thank New Life Church for letting me assist in winning the team walk for popsicle sticks at 2:00 am. As a group, we won that event. Because of our communities compassion and consideration for others, we will all win!

Thanks Again!

Tom

Dear Neighbor, As the son of a local cancer survivor, and as a person who has spent his adult life serving others, I want to thank you for participating in Louisa's Relay for Life.Simply by being fortunate enough to live in this Nation, we've been blessed, and as such we have an obligation to give back. Whether through your church, a civic organization, or individually, by participating in Relay for Life, you're giving back. That spirit is what makes Louisa County what it is. You have my admiration and appreciation.Whether as a soldier, defending America, or during my tenure as Assistant Attorney General of Virginia, where I prosecuted those who preyed upon our children, I also want to give back. That's why I hope I can earn your support as I seek the position of Louisa County Commonwealth's Attorney. The role of the Commonwealth's Attorney is to act as the final link in the law enforcement chain. The sheriff's office, troopers, and game wardens of Louisa County are doing a great job. All too often their work is squandered, and criminals go free or serve light sentences that are not appropriate for the crimes that they've committed. When an adult uses the internet to solicit sex from a middle school aged girl, and then drives several hours to Louisa and completes the act, no active jail time and fifty hours of community service is not an appropriate sentence. Yet that is what recently happened in Louisa County. It is time for a change. As your prosecutor, I will serve Louisa County, and I will defend our seniors and young people. I want to serve as the ultimate public defender in Louisa County; A prosecutor who will prosecute.

Please never hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments. I can be reached via cell phone at (804) 869-4444, or via email at TomGarrettJr@aol.com.

Sincerely,

Tom Garrett, Jr.