DA wrong to blame Bourke for county decision with Task Force

Editor:

Dear Citizens of Orleans County, I’ve known Sheriff Bourke for 30 years – from his time as a jail deputy, deputy, K9 handler, lieutenant, undersheriff, and finally sheriff!

No other law enforcement officer knows Orleans  County better than Sheriff Bourke. His love for the citizens of Orleans County, his sworn deputies, his civilian staff, and the 911 center is on display every day!

District Attorney Susan Howard is not being truthful, Chris Bourke had nothing to do with the decision to eliminate the Felony Task Force. That decision was made by the Orleans  County financial committee, which Sheriff Bourke does not have a seat on, the treasurer’s office, the Orleans County Legislature, with the recommendation by the chief county administrator Jack Welch!

What DA Howard forgot to say was she hates Sheriff Bourke because he supported a much better qualified candidate for Orleans County DA in John Sansone, who was an Assistant District Attorney under previous DA Joe Cardone, and is currently an assistant DA in Genesee County.

Howard also forgot to tell you that the 2027 Orleans County proposed budget cuts the Sheriff’s Department budget by $1 million, eliminates 1 deputy, and cuts 3 people from the department of social services, and did cuts in a 32 departments in the county.

DA Howard rarely  goes to trial and often settles cases to the lowest charge, thus making our community less safe, which should really aggravate anyone in law enforcement!

Also, Susan Howard would have known about the cuts to the Task Force if she had attended the last department’s meeting! This has nothing to do with politics but everything to do with budget cuts!

Jim Salmon

Barre