After about the 15th Ralph Misquez for sheriff sign as I traveled the roads of eastern New Mexico last week, it dawned on me - again - how different Vermont is.

It had become plenty clear to me by then that there was quite a race going for sheriff in Dona Ana County, by the quantity and size of the signs along the road. Yet, these signs also blended in with the surroundings - the unfettered sprawl with looming fast-food restaurant signs and hotel billboards. It was hard to imagine that there'd be any hue and cry in New Mexico over the size of Ralph Misquez's signs when they weren't quite as large as Wendy's, nor any more prevalent.

_ Terri Hallenbeck