By Rick Pfeiffer<br><a href="mailto:pfeifferr@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Rick</a>
Niagara Gazette
June 02, 2008 08:33 pm
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The pool at the Lockport Holiday Inn may have been drained of water on Monday night, but that didn’t keep Falls police Detective Chief Ernest Palmer from taking the plunge into what is expected to be a hotly contested race for Niagara County sheriff.
Even though current Sheriff Tom Beilein’s nomination to become chairman of the State Commission of Correction is still pending in Albany, the veteran Cataract City lawman decided it was time to make his intentions known.
“I have almost three decades experience in law enforcement,” Palmer said. “I have served at every level. I have been on patrol and chased down criminals. I have served as the police chief of Niagara Falls and faced the challenges of operating a budget-sensitive department while establishing programs that decreased crime by 32 percent.”
Palmer said his campaign to succeed Beilein would be based on his experience versus that of his opponents. He is expected to be challenged, on the GOP side, by current Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Grear and by Democrat and Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy James Voutour.
“I ask you to put my record of felony arrests up against any other sheriff candidate,” Palmer said. “You’ll find there is no comparison.”
Palmer received the backing of the Niagara County Republican Committee over the weekend. Committee Chair Henry Wojtaszek said he expected a tough race but echoed Palmer’s claim that experience should be the key for voters.
“His opponents may be good men, but you look at experience and Ernie Palmer has it hands down,” Wojtaszek said.
With the endorsement of the Niagara County Police Chief’s Association, Palmer also told his supporters he would not seek the backing of the unions that represent sheriff’s deputies and corrections officers.
“Deputy sheriffs and corrections officers have a difficult job to do. It’s just wrong that they be dragged into political battles and have to make calculated decisions on which candidate to back every fourth year, knowing that the wrong choice may negatively impact their career advancement,” Palmer said. “We need to create a department with a solid structure of professionalism. Politics has resulted in unnecessary internal lawsuits and wasting taxpayer dollars that are needed to enhance public safety.”
Palmer said also said he would not accept financial contributions from current deputies or corrections officers.
“That doesn’t mean I do not respect these fine men and women,” he said. “I count many among them as trusted colleagues.”
The detective chief said he expected his position to “ruffle a few feathers,” but said change is needed in the department.
“I am the candidate who will make changes,” Palmer said. “It’s not often in a campaign when one candidate can claim the mantle of both experience and change.”
Grear who opposed Beilein as the Republican candidate two years ago has not yet said whether he will challenge Palmer in a primary.
“I haven’t ruled (a primary challenge) out,” Grear said. “Last time I ran I got 40 percent of the vote, I have a lot of support. A lot of people are hoping I’ll give it another whirl.”
Voutour had no comment on Palmer’s announcement. He has not officially announced his candidacy.
“The sheriff (Beilein) has been in law enforcement for 40 years and I’m waiting for him to leave on his terms,” Voutour said. “I’ll have nothing to say until (Beilein) is confirmed (to the Correction Commission) by the state Senate.”
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