Drennan says he would lead highly professional Sheriff’s Office

Posted 1 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Editor:

As the campaign season is winding down and people prepare to cast their vote on Tuesday, I wanted to wrap up my campaign for sheriff by making a few comments.

First and foremost I want to thank all of the supporters that stood by me throughout this long campaign season. I have met many wonderful people over the past several months. Many of you have been out there in the community working hard while giving up your time to support me and what I believe we need to do to make Orleans County a better place.

Some of you have chosen to quietly support me from behind the scenes because of who you are, positions you hold, fear of threats, repercussions or simply that is the how you wanted to be involved. Many friends and family have been in the trenches with me. All of you, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My family has enjoyed many happy times and great memories have been created. They have also felt some pain and hurt that politics brings. For that I am sorry. No one should have to be subjected to some of the nonsense we have all seen.

I know there are many people out there that have had enough and feel as though Election Day can’t get here soon enough. In some ways I agree. You have been inundated by political signs, advertisements, mailers, letters to the editor and social media posts.

I have tried to balance getting the name, facial recognition and message out to you without overstepping those boundaries and feeling as though I am forcing politics on you to the point of making you nauseous. That was never my intent and if I have done that I apologize.

I have said from the beginning I am a cop and not a politician. Some will say when you are running for office that is not a good thing to say. I say but it is true. I am not going to tell you about any unattainable goals or impossible dreams.

I have been serving this community for over 40 years starting as a little kid hanging out at the fire station with my father – later on as a junior firefighter and on to an adult firefighter. I then became a deputy sheriff and started a career that I believe is the greatest job in the world. I would not change a thing.

Tens of thousands of your tax dollars have already been invested in me so I can better serve the people of Orleans County. Countless numbers of hours in classes and trainings so I could come back and apply it to my profession. I have worked my way up through the ranks and been involved in some of the most menial tasks to the most horrific scenes imaginable. I don’t take those experiences lightly.

I have not been standing around with my hands in my pockets I have been up to my elbows in police work as a front liner, supervisor and administrator. I have been the first through the door on a drug warrant as well as the last one to leave a death scene and just about everything in between.

I have held the hand of a grieving mother and shared a tear while telling them their child would not be coming home. My family has made many sacrifices to allow me to be a cop, firefighter and public servant. I believe it is these real experiences and not a number that has prepared me to take that next step in my career.

Throughout this campaign I have said I am running on my qualifications, training and experience. I have taken the high road and made every effort to run a clean campaign talking about me. I want to tell you what I can bring to the position of sheriff.

I am not interested in talking about the other candidates, taking any shots at anyone or even mentioning their name. Let them tell you about their qualifications. I have been around a long time and have seen what has been going on for years behind the walls at the Sheriff’s Office as well as on the streets of Orleans County.

There needs to be a change of identity at the Sheriff’s Office. Change is hard for some people. It scares them. There are those that will not support someone that wants to make that change. People believe cops and corrections officers should be held to a higher standard.

First, I want to hold them to a standard. Then I want to progress to a higher standard. Accountability scares some people. As public servants it shouldn’t.

I have picked an undersheriff candidate in Brett Sobieraski that knows about leadership, supervision, higher standards and accountability. He also brings in a tremendous amount of experience teaching everyone from beginners to seasoned veterans. Brett’s police knowledge and people skills along with his fresh eyes and fresh ideas are the perfect compliment to lead the department to a brighter future.

After the last vote is counted and all the yard signs, banners and balloons are taken down the politicking will be over and it will be time to get down to the business at hand serving and protecting you the people of Orleans County.

I have prepared myself for this job. I have eliminated as much of that learning curve as possible. From day one I will be the sheriff, your sheriff, truly the people’s sheriff. Working and serving you as I have been for more than 40 years.

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. Please make your voice be heard and VOTE on Nov. 3.

Tom Drennan
Kendall
Candidate for sheriff