ELECTIONS: Beilein makes it official

By Mark Scheer<br><a href="mailto:scheerm@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Mark</a>
Niagara Gazette

July 23, 2008 08:45 pm

— The race for Niagara County Sheriff can officially begin.
Sheriff Thomas Beilein put an end to what has been months of speculation about his future by formally announcing Wednesday his intentions to retire from the county’s top law enforcement job at the end of the work week.
Beilein, who has been awaiting confirmation from the state lawmakers for his appointment as chairman of New York’s Commission on Correction, said he has been told by Gov. David Paterson’s office that his nomination has been submitted to the state Senate for approval. Beilein said it is his understanding that the Senate will reconvene soon to confirm his appointment and others made by the governor.
“I leave office with a great sense of pride and gratitude,” said Beilein, who has enjoyed a 40-year career in the county Sheriff’s Department. “I have had the honor of working alongside an amazingly dedicated group of people. I never cease to marvel at the courage and professionalism they display on a daily basis.”
The deadline for securing signatures to appear on the ballot has passed which means candidates for sheriff will be presented by leaders in the respective political parties in Niagara County.
Beilein’s exit opens the door for two main contenders — Sheriff’s Deputy James Voutour and Niagara Falls Police Department Chief of Detectives Ernest Palmer.
Voutour has the backing of the local Democratic and Working Families Party as well as the formal support of Beilein himself. Palmer has already secured endorsements from the Niagara County Republican and Independence parties. Both men interviewed with members of the executive committee for the Conservative Party which was waiting to make a formal endorsement until after the Beilein situation was resolved.
Both Voutour and Palmer praised Beilein and said replacing a man with his experience will be a challenge.
“It’s obviously going to be a tremendous loss for the county residents,” Voutour said. “It’s going to leave some tough shoes to fill.”
“Tom Beilein had an admirable career as sheriff in Niagara County and I hold him in the highest regard,” Palmer said.
Both candidates also had good things to say about one another, saying they look forward to a clean race based on the issues.
Voutour, who has 16 years of service in the sheriff’s department — all under Beilein — believes he has the experience necessary to ensure a smooth transition.
“I look forward to the race,” Voutour said. “I obviously respect my opponent. He’s been a police officer for a long time, but he’s never worked a day here.”
Palmer, a 27-year veteran of local law enforcement, said conversations he’s had with sheriff’s department staffers leads him to believe that some changes are in order. Palmer, who has previously served as chief in the City of Niagara Falls and the Village of Youngstown, said he too has the experience necessary to handle the job and looks forward to implementing some changes that he believes will lead to improvements department-wide.
“Law enforcement is law enforcement,” Palmer said. “It’s just a matter of running the organization.”
Beilein’s career in the county sheriff’s department started in January of 1969 when he was appointed as a deputy sheriff by former Sheriff James Murphy. Since then, Beilein has served as director of the Niagara County Major Crime Strike Force, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office inspector, chief investigator, investigator and road patrol and correction deputy. He was elected sheriff in 1993 and re-elected in 1997, 2001 and 2005.
“Gov. Paterson has given me the opportunity to take on a new challenge,” Beilein said. “I am grateful to him for doing so. I look forward to continuing my work for all New Yorkers. I may be working primarily in Albany and out of Niagara County, but Niagara County will never be out of me.”
In his formal retirement announcement, Beilein extended votes of confidence to Voutour as well as Undersheriff Samuel Muscarella and chief deputy John Taylor.
“They are exceptional public servants and strong leaders who will conduct the important business of the sheriff’s office in an outstanding manner,” Beilein said.