Sobieraski stands out in election for sheriff

Editor:

Given the current political climate across the country, I would like to make a few comments about the current race between two Republican candidates for the June 25 primary, and ultimately the office of Orleans County Sheriff.

I would like to start by stating unequivocally that Brett Sobieraski is not an “outsider” as he has repeatedly been called. This is not only insulting, but untrue. He has been a member of this community for the past 27 years. He raised his children here, made his life here, and is well known and active within our county.

The fact that he works for the Rochester Police Department does not, in any way, diminish the fact that he lives in Orleans County. That being said, perhaps the word “outsider” refers to the fact that he is not a member of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

However, this would not be the first time that a person who never held a position within the department has been elected sheriff.  As everyone knows, one of our former and very popular holders of the Office of Sheriff, never had any law enforcement experience in his background.  That didn’t stop me from voting for him. I simply liked the man and what he stood for. I think a lot of people vote like me. We vote for the man. We vote for his ideas.

I would also like to address the attitude, which I believe I see more and more, that this office is being considered, in this particular case, an entitlement. If this was an office based on promotions from within, that would be a completely different issue. This is a public office which puts the power to select the next sheriff into the hands of the electorate.

If someone works there for a number of years, it may make that person well known, it may make that person seem like a viable choice to a certain group, and in fact it may help to get that person elected. However, this sacred franchise to vote is held by the Republican voters of Orleans County.  We get to decide who we want in that office. It is not an entitlement, no matter how emotional people may feel about this issue.

This primary is being decided by persons of the same party who have different ideas about the direction in which we would like to see our county go. After this is decided, and a new sheriff is elected, we have to move forward as one Republican Party. I would like to believe we can survive what is starting to look like growing animosity held by the crew of the current undersheriff toward anyone who doesn’t support their candidate.

Nobody should chastise anyone for wearing a shirt for the candidate of their choosing. This still is, after all, The United States of America, and we do have the freedoms to express how we feel. I have become very uneasy when I hear rumors about these bully tactics.

My personal choice in this race is Brett Sobieraski. I have met with him many times, and found his ideas to be fresh, modern, progressive and invigorating. There is nothing wrong with getting someone with diverse and vast experience, someone who has enjoyed a very successful career with the Rochester Police Department, and brings that invaluable experience into our county.

We are now fighting big city crimes here, and the fight has to be waged by a sheriff with big city experience but who also understands our way of life. I think this is the time for change. I think he is the man who will change things.

I have faith that he is genuine in his cause to do the right things to make our county better than it has been in a long time. We all need to think outside of the box on this one. It may be a long time before a chance to elect someone like Brett comes our way again.

I would finally like to thank Sheriff Randy Bower for his service to the county. I personally admire the man, I voted for him, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Eileen Hare

Medina