County Manager Slams Sheriff In New FB Video

This morning Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler posted a video on Facebook, about Sheriff Jim Allard and the sheriff's lawsuit against the county, over paying for his own liability insurance.  In the video, Wheeler stated the following: 

 

• Only the sheriff has had his liability insurance removed.  No deputies have lost their liability insurance.  
• 17 of the about three dozen lawsuits against the county, were lawsuits filed against the sheriff.
• The insurance company representing the county says the deductible has gone from $500,000 to $750,000 for each potential claim. 
• The sheriff paid a loan worth thousands of dollars, without county authorization. 
• The sheriff violated county policy by investigating his own department's personel issues.
• The sheriff made false claims about county executive sessions.
• The sheriff wants lawmakers to talk about executive sessions which were confidential discussions. 

Click here to see Wheeler's Facebook Video.

 

If you don't have Facebook, please click here to listen to the audio of County Manager Wheeler.

 

UPDATE: 12:10PM - Steuben County Legislative Chairperson Kelly Fitzpatrick says the following: “The video released by county Manager Jack Wheeler is within his authority as director of county operations. The video does not speak for the Steuben County Legislature and was not approved by the county legislature.”

 

UPDATE 2:46PM - STEUBEN COUNTY SHERIFF JIM ALLARD RESPONDS: "The manager's statement is confusing and misinformed.  It is unfortunate that as we try to move forward with a functional government that the manager still feels the need to issue a statement on something that could have been solved months ago.  I encourage our tax payers to look into the amount of money that the county administration has spent  mischaracterizing the issues to the public."

 

Republican Assemblyman For Jasper, Addison, Greenwood, Joe Giglio Is Not Seeking Re-Election 
The Olean Times Herald reports that Republican Assemblyman Joe Giglio is not going to seek re-election.  There has been speculation that Joe Sempolinski will run for that Assembly seat.  Sempolinski is a former congressman and current chief of staff for Giglio.

 

Sempolinski Announces He Is Running In The 3:00 Hour 

Former Congressman Joe Sempolinski has declared his candidacy for the State Assembly. Sempolinski is a candidate for the 148th Assembly District currently represented by Joseph Giglio, who has announced that he will not be seeking another term. Sempolinski currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Mr. Giglio.
 
“I can be the most effective voice possible for the people of this district” Sempolinski said. “And the people don’t have to take my word for it because I’ve done it already. I represented every piece of the 148th Assembly District during my time in Congress and I was able to be successful despite a shortened term and serving in the minority. This experience, plus my time as Chief of Staff for this very office, means I can deliver for this region in a way no one else could.” 
 
Sempolinski lives with his wife Angie and their two daughters Joselyn and Madelyn in the 148th Assembly District. Angie is a public school teacher in Hinsdale, NY. Earlier in his career, Sempolinski led the New York-based staff for the 23rd Congressional District. 
 
“This district is my home,” Sempolinski stated. “There is no one who can serve this area like I can. I have spent years working with people throughout this district on both the state and federal issues that impact their lives and livelihoods, as a Congressman, staff member and as a private citizen. I can hit the ground running in Albany as no other candidate can.”
 
Regarding the current political situation in Albany, Sempolinski said that “The ultra radical liberal wing of the Democrat Party runs Albany. Our district needs a true conservative to stand up against the madness that we have seen such as the so-called ‘bail reform’, out of control spending, insane energy policies and an extremist far left social agenda. You don’t have to ask how I will vote on these issues because you have seen how I voted in Congress.”
 
Learn more about Joe at JoeSempolinski.com 

 

The New  Maps: How It Could Affect Steuben

The newly proposed state legislative maps came out yesterday.  The proposed maps would have Congressman Nick Langworthy keeping most of Steuben County in his district map, and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney getting the Steuben County areas of Wayland, Cohocton, Prattsburgh and several other towns.