Thursday, April 25, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
To the Editor: I read with interest Mr. McCargar’s letter, where he mentions the recent debate at Massena’s Union Hall, but fails to mention the outcome of the event. (I’ll get to that later) …
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To the Editor:
I read with interest Mr. McCargar’s letter, where he mentions the recent debate at Massena’s Union Hall, but fails to mention the outcome of the event. (I’ll get to that later)
He also noted the many positive improvements in the Sheriff’s department that were discussed. What was very obvious during that get-together is that Undersheriff O’Brien participated very heavily in the decisions and actions that brought about the improvements. Detective Engle had nothing to do with the progress, and has no experience or expertise to qualify him for such work.
Detective Engle may be a dedicated officer, but it takes more than that to be a good Sheriff. It takes leadership, persuasiveness, persistence, an ability to communicate in layman’s terms (as well as law enforcement terms), and initiative. The detective lacks all of these qualities, as anyone who has spent time with him can attest. His dedication might also be in question if you check his attendance record with a Freedom of Information Act request. I found lots of convenient sick days there (Maxxed out).
During the debate in Massena, Undersheriff O’Brien initially was asked the questions, with Detective Engle responding to O’Brien’s statements. When the order of questions changed to Detective Engle being asked questions, his answers were halting and uncertain. Is Engle’s behavior the kind of capability we want in a Sheriff?
Another Engle supporter, Jon Snell, cites a few unions that endorse Engle. The total membership of those unions is less than 150 people. Undersheriff O’Brien has the unanimous endorsement of Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence Counties Central Trades & Labor Council. This council has 60 unions with approximately 24,000 members.
Unions overwhelmingly support Undersheriff O’Brien. They have seen and heard him, and like what they see. I suggest that all voters of St. Lawrence County see and hear both candidates, because they aren’t as well-known as previous Sheriffs.
I think that once they do that, they will want to vote as I will – For Sean O’Brien.
Tom Daly
Colton
