BLOCK RELEASES LETTER WITH DOCTOR'S OK.

Byline: Lee Condon Daily News Staff Writer

Seeking to dispel concerns about his health as the June primary election approaches, Sheriff Sherman Block, 73, released a letter from his doctor Wednesday saying he is in ``good overall health.''

``He is able to carry on a vigorous schedule without any negative effects,'' wrote Dr. Richard D. Garrett, an internist based in Northridge. ``There are no work restrictions or limitations that would adversely effect his ability to function as the sheriff of Los Angeles County at the present time or in the future.''

Garrett could not be reached to comment on his letter.

Block could not be reached for comment either, but Harvey Englander, a consultant working on Block's campaign for re-election, said the letter comes in response to claims by his opponents that Block's health problems will hamper his ability to do the job over the next four years.

Block has survived prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma within the last seven years. He currently undergoes hemodialysis three times a week, for three hours at a time, because of a serious kidney condition.

``Our opponents keep saying he is not fit to do the job. Here's a letter from his doctor saying he is. His doctor says his health is fine,'' Englander said.

His opponents said Block is responding to media requests for medical records from all the candidates. Two challengers, Lee Baca, a department chief, and Bill Baker, a 35-year veteran of the department who retired in 1995, said they have both agreed to turn over their medical records.

Baca said the sheriff's health problems are ``90 percent'' of the reason he is running for the job this year. If Block has to resign because of poor health, it would be up to the Board of Supervisors to replace him rather than a vote of the electorate. That would give Block the chance to anoint his successor, rather than leaving the choice up to voters, Baca said.

``Fragile health will not ensure consistency of leadership should something catastrophic happen to the sheriff,'' Baca said.

Englander dismissed Baca's comments, saying it's impossible for anyone to predict the sheriff's future health.

``Something catastrophic could happen to anybody at any age. Mr. Baca, God forbid, could have a heart attack tomorrow,'' Englander said.

Baker said he believes Block's health problems may have kept him from being an effective manager of the department considering the recent troubles with the county jail system, including delays in opening the Twin Towers jail downtown, the accidental release of inmates and the recent arrest of a jail food manager on suspicion of accepting bribes.

``If his health has not had an impact on the job he's doing then he is incompetent and inept. If it hasn't he should do what's in the best interest of the community and resign or retire,'' Baker said.