It is common knowledge that there is no partisan politics in the Sheriff’s Office. Partisan politics ceased in the 1960’s. That is because of the Hatch Act, MRSA 25, civil laws, and union contracts. However, the exception to the rule is the Sheriff and his Chief Deputy.
The position of Sheriff has been, is and forever will be partisan. Because the history of Criminal Justice includes the fact that our ancestors wanted the Sheriff to be answerable to the people and not a political body. Once elected, he appoints his Chief Deputy from his own political party to serve at his will.
With this background, we must ask the question: What is going on in the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office? Sheriff Joyce has a Chief Deputy, Brian Pellerin. He is supposed to be a Democrat because Sheriff Joyce is a Democrat. However, the Chief Deputy is running as an Independent for Sheriff in York County. This raises two questions: First, his loyalty to Sheriff Joyce and his faithfulness to the citizens of Cumberland County, especially Democrats. Second, his claim is that he is an Independent, running as an Independent for York County Sheriff, because he wants no partisan politics in the Sheriff’s Office. As I have stated, there is no partisan politics in the Sheriff’s office. This fact was confirmed to Bobby Charles, the Republican Candidate for Maine Governor, at a recent Sheriffs meeting.
As you contemplate this reality you may come to the conclusion of one Cumberland County resident who stated: “There is something crooked going on here.” Citizens of Cumberland County: What is going on in your Sheriff’s Office?
David Corbett
Republican Nominee for Sheriff, York County Maine