Union endorses Sheriff Madore

To the editor:
    On Oct. 5, 2010 a general membership meeting of NEPBA Local 601 was held at the Mars Hill Country Club. Sheriff James P. Madore and his opponent were both invited to address the membership at this meeting. Sheriff Madore accepted our invitation, but his opponent sent a letter declining the offer.
    Following Sheriff Madore’s presentation, a motion passed unanimously to endorse Sheriff Madore in his bid for re-election to the post he has held since 2001. While we were disappointed to not hear directly from both candidates, we are confident, comfortable and enthusiastic in our choice. This is the first time we are aware of that a labor union comprised of Aroostook County Deputy Sheriffs has endorsed a candidate for Sheriff.
    This rather unusual move is a reaction to what we view as a stark contrast between the candidates. We don’t feel this is a choice between two acceptable alternatives, but rather a choice between an experienced, tested, well respected police administrator from our area and a challenger who appears to have virtually no full-time law enforcement service in Maine. It is also troubling to us that Sheriff Madore’s opponent refused to meet with us to share his views and offer detail on his background.
    We strongly believe the diverse responsibilities of a modern sheriff require the attention of a proven, experienced leader, and we believe that leader is Sheriff Madore. He was born and raised in the St. John Valley, and other than his three years of service in the United States Army, he has always lived and worked in “The County.” His more than three decades of full-time law enforcement service has been to the people of Aroostook County.
    Sheriff Madore has served as a Fort Kent Police Officer, a State Trooper, a state police detective, the Limestone Police Chief, the Chief Deputy Sheriff and he has served in his present capacity as Aroostook County Sheriff for nearly 10 years. He is a past president of the Maine Sheriff’s Association, has attended the National Sheriff’s Academy and also graduated from the FBI’s National Academy. Sheriff Madore has consistently been a fair and reasonable boss.
    We think it is important for voters to know that the Sheriff’s Department has progressed remarkably in many areas during Sheriff Madore’s tenure. Since he took office we have gained a general crimes detective, a domestic violence detective, a narcotics K-9 team, an accident reconstructionist, a drug recognition expert and we have increased the number of full-time drug investigators from one to three. Almost all of these were at no cost to County taxpayers. With funding received from the federal government we have also been able to significantly increase the number of rural patrol shifts each week. These are direct improvements to the service provided to County residents.
    We believe the Sheriff’s Department, and by extension the citizens of Aroostook County, would suffer if Sheriff Madore is not re-elected. We urge our neighbors to join us in supporting the re-election of Sheriff James P. Madore by voting on Nov. 2nd.
Darrell Crandall, president Local 601
New England Police Benevolent Association