Bourke says he and Bower have reached across political parties in campaign for “People’s Sheriff”

Editor:

As we approach Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, I would like to take this opportunity to ask the people of Orleans County to join me in supporting Randy Bower for sheriff.

My name is Christopher M. Bourke and Randy Bower has asked me to serve as his Undersheriff, should he be so privileged to win this election.

I began my career at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office in 1984. I was hired as a part-time correction officer in the Orleans County Jail. In 1985 I was promoted to corporal.

In January 1986 I was appointed to be a deputy sheriff in the criminal division of the Sheriff’s Office. I was then an acting sergeant in the late 1980’s due to the absence of a shift supervisor on the midnight shift.

In 1997 I was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. I successfully completed Police Supervision and Command School, FBI Hostage and Crisis Negotiators Certification and Criminal Investigator School. In 1997 I researched and created the first full-time K-9 unit in the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

More recently I was appointed by Sheriff Hess as the commander of the sheriff’s marine division and supervisor to the Stone Garden grant project. This grant consists of hundreds of thousands of dollars in Homeland Security money secured to protect the citizens of Orleans County and its infrastructure.

It has been an amazing experience working with Randy Bower for the last 30 years. I have witnessed the knowledge, passion and kindness Randy demonstrates in his job on a daily basis. Everyday, Randy Bower brings his leadership skills and problem solving abilities to work to keep the citizens and first responders of Orleans County safe.

I can say, with absolute certainty, that Randy Bower is a leader and person that can bring people together to get the job done. Randy and I have traveled across Orleans County for the last several months meeting people and listening to their concerns.

We reached out to people without regard of their political affiliation or social economic status. We had a message that I believe resonated with people. We want to make the Office of Sheriff as “The People’s Sheriff,” which is unique in Orleans County.

Our message isn’t about serving a political party, special interest group, or a few powerbrokers. It is about the people of Orleans County.

Together Randy and I will train and equip our men and women so they can serve the public in the best way possible. We will treat all employees with respect and dignity and demand professionalism every day. We will move the Sheriff’s Office forward, always keeping the citizens and taxpayers’ best interest in mind.

I ask you to join me in voting for Randy Bower, your sheriff, on Tuesday Nov. 3rd.

Thank you and God bless the people of Orleans County and the United States of America.

Christopher M. Bourke
Waterport