A transcript of the July 17 sheriff?s union endorsement meeting shows that Democrat James Fitzgerald, whom the union endorsed, promised the deputies substantially more than Sheriff Charles Cave.

Fitzgerald, who is seeking the sheriff position, pledged to seek more positions and higher compensation; update the department?s Web site and criminal processing equipment; provide better training; solicit a staff study; attract more qualified sheriff?s applicants; obtain compensation pay for the honor guard; establish a Homeland Security grant-writing position and create a line-of-duty death benefit.