Archive: News

The hot race in Tompkins County right now is the race for Sheriff.  Ken Lansing is hoping to replace Sheriff Peter Meskill, who is running for his fourth term as Sheriff.  Both candidates are Democrats from Trumansberg, and with nobody else throwing their gauntlet into the ring, the Sheriff's race could be decided -- unofficially, at least -- in the primary on September 14th. 

The main issue in the race boils down to management versus law enforcement experience.  With 37 years of police experience including 33 years in the Cayuga Heights police force where he retired as chief, Lansing says that on the ground experience is necessary in order to be an effective leader.  But Meskill argues that he has 12 years of experience as Sheriff that shows he is a proven leader with an impressive array of accomplishments.

Meskill has the support of the Tompkins County and Ulysses Democratic Committees, various local organizations, and an array of past and present community leaders on the town and county level.  Lansing is supported by the Tompkins County Deputy Sheriff's Association, and the Cayuga Heights and Ithaca Police benevolent Associations.  Lansing says that even if he does not win the primary, he will see the campaign through to the end, running in the general election on an independent line.

As the primary draws near, both men took time from their busy schedules to talk to the Lansing Star.  We asked the same questions of both, to give readers a chance to contrast the candidates.  Both interviews are presented in this issue.



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