Published: August 29, 2008 05:26 pm            

MUSCARELLA: Even a stopped clock is right twice a day

The ambitious politician, Ernest Palmer, could barely manage that. His recent Guest View was littered with inaccuracies.

Responsible public servants have an obligation to put the common good ahead of their political aspirations. When they don’t, their suitability for office is open to question. This is especially true when it comes to law enforcement. There is no margin for error and no “fancy footwork” is acceptable. The people should expect the straightforward truth. Self-serving politicians should not use fuzzy words and misleading statements to further their personal agenda.

Unfortunately, that’s what Ernest Palmer did. This is pure political pandering.

Mr. Palmer, a candidate for Niagara County sheriff, made false claims and did not address the facts surrounding the July 30 events at the Niagara County Communications Center. He asserts he is a veteran law enforcement officer. Mr. Palmer’s knowledge of Niagara County is either stunningly inadequate or he knowingly misrepresented what transpired for short-term political gain. Whichever it happens to be, it should not be tolerated from someone who seeks to be the chief law enforcement official in the county. The people of Niagara County deserve better. I write to set the record straight.

Mr. Palmer’s declaration that on July 30 the dispatch services system to countywide police and fire responders was inoperable is not true. What Mr. Palmer fails to comprehend is that as a result of advanced technology, training and regular exercising of the system, no loss of services occurred. Despite his earlier allegation that some 911 calls may have been dropped, he now acknowledges that this, in fact, did not happen. I am proud to state that our backup plan worked as designed, and wish to commend the professionalism displayed by our communication and technical support personnel.

Mr. Palmer has publicly stated “money was spent on a lot of toys, and whistles and gadgets.” If he believes things like new enhanced computers with CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) and the life-saving ability to pinpoint a cellular call anywhere in Niagara County, new radio and telephone systems, microwave capabilities and other location and visual systems are “toys,” “whistles,” or “gadgets,” Mr. Palmer has no understanding of the complexities the sheriff of Niagara County must grapple with.

Once more, Mr. Palmer’s ignorance of the facts is clear. He calls for a strong coalition of representatives from the police and fire services countywide. The truth is in 2003 a much broader coalition consisting of professionals and volunteers from police, fire, emergency management, EMS, public health, public works and local hospitals was established under the direction of the County Manager. Mr. Palmer’s lack of knowledge of their five years of hard work is a slap in the face to all these fine, dedicated people who have given much time and effort to make Niagara County a safer place.

I want to assure the people who live and work in Niagara County that the communications center is fully functioning and always was. We welcome all investigations, all inquiries, all criticisms at all times to ensure we keep pace with the new technology, training and specialized skills our modern society demands to keep our citizens safe. It is our sworn duty to do so. However, phony charges from opportunistic politicians do not contribute to a productive use of time and resources that could otherwise be spent on achieving and maintaining the highest level of protection for everyone in Niagara County.

Niagara County’s residents should wonder if Mr. Palmer would have held a press conference and written a Guest View if he were not a candidate for sheriff. I believe I know the answer. You can come to your own conclusion. I think we’ll agree. Perhaps it would have been more beneficial to the people of Niagara County for Mr. Palmer to work diligently and responsibly out of the glare of the political spotlight, as we are doing in the Sheriff’s Office. But that would not allow Mr. Palmer to continue his grandstanding and advance his political ambitions.

It is disturbing that Mr. Palmer is engaged in a campaign of self-promotion. His histrionics are without merit. The sheriff of Niagara County should loom large in credibility and capability. Ernest Palmer fails to measure up.



Samuel J. Muscarella Jr.

Acting Sheriff-Niagara County

        

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