Archive: News

Incumbent Peter Meskill (left) and challenger Ken LansingAbout 50 people turned out at the Lansing Community Center Thursday for a debate between the candidates for Tompkins County Sheriff.  Both Democrats, incumbent Peter Meskill and challenger Ken Lansing are stepping up appearances around the county as next Tuesday's primary comes near.  Supporters of both candidates came out with Meskill stickers on some people, and a group sporting a big 'Vote For Ken Lansing' sign in the back of the room.

"We differ dramatically in style, character, and experience," Lansing said in his opening statement.  "The incumbent describes himself as a manager and a CEO.  The incumbent's management style relies on controlling his staff and ruling his department.  I am a proven leader who understands that management is just one facet of leadership."

Much of what was said at the debate was covered in last week's interviews with the candidates.  Click on the pictures below to read those interviews. Peter Meskill Ken Lansing

In many ways that describes the campaign.  Meskill says he has proven his leadership skills over 12 years as Sheriff, empowering employees to participate in decisions, but also taking a wholistic approach to balancing the needs and desires of his staff with the primary mission to serve and protect and the needs of the taxpayers and citizens in the county.  Lansing says that his 37 years of experience at all levels of law enforcement give him the knowledge and empathy to effectively lead a team of law enforcement officers who can relate to his experience.  But Meskill pointed out that only a portion of the Sheriff Department is law enforcement.  Both portrayed themselves as leaders, and the differences in their leadership styles were evident.

Meskill opened with a list of his accomplishments and spoke of his leadership in running the department and putting together a professional team.  Lansing said he is not a politician, saying that he values his friends, family and life, but serving the community 'comes in a close second.' 


While some questions clearly came from supporters, others just as clearly came from opponents of each candidate.  Meskill was challenged to explain why the Deputy Sheriff's Association endorsed Lansing, and later why he had said in an earlier appearance that Deputies were foolish to endorse his opponent.  He was asked whether having three undersheriffs in three terms was a sign on 'unprofessionalism.'  And he was asked whether he has the training to pull cars over when he sees an offense taking place.

"The Sheriff's office has a staff of 88 to 90 people," Meskill said.  "It is compromised of 40-some people in the jail, approximately 37 people in the Deputy Sheriff's union, and the rest are administrators or clerical staff.  What is important to understand is that the Deputy Sheriff's union, which has approximately 37 people, have come out and made an endorsement, not the 88 to 90 people that work at the Sheriff's office.  Nor clearly is that endorsement a unanimous endorsement of the Deputy Sheriff's Union."

He said he's never seen a sitting sheriff receive the support of a Deputy's union, which he said stands to reason because of the natural conflicts between labor and management in any organization.  He said it is foolish for any union to support either candidate because they will end up working for one or the other.  Meskill noted he has had training that prepares him to pull cars over when warranted, and that he only does so when he is adequately equipped.  He praised his Undersheriff Tubbs, saying that the previous Undersheriff  left after a long career because he wanted to retire from law enforcement to work on his farm, not because he was unhappy in the department.

Lansing was also asked to explain why he changed parties, and whether he would continue to accept his retirement pay (from his 33 years in the Cayuga Heights Police Department) if elected.  He was also asked whether he would recuse himself from managing his son, a deputy.

Lansing said he would hold his son to a higher standard rather than giving him a break, noting that nobody likes to work for their father.  But Meskill was angered by the question.

"I think what Ken and I are here for is to answer questions about the Sheriff's Office operation and try to reduce or eliminate the personal attacks on people," he said.  "I think that question was way beyond the pale of what should happen in a debate.  We should talk about issues and concerns and what the future holds for the Sheriff's Office, but not something like this."

Lansing said he has earned his retirement, and that he would continue to draw on it, and Meskill agreed that he has earned it.  On changing parties, Lansing's answer was direct.

"When I registered for the draft I was a Democrat," he said.  "In 2003 I was foolish enough to think that maybe I should change parties in case I decided I wanted to run for Sheriff, so I did.  It didn't take long to realize that was not the answer and I needed to get back to my roots and go back to the Democratic Party.  So I did.  It's that simple."


Both candidates were asked what their strengths and weaknesses are.

"I've got people skills and common sense," Lansing said.  "We all have shortcomings, and probably one of mine is that I wish I had sought more education when I was younger."

"I think my strength is my ability to persevere, to take on new challenges, and to not be afraid to stick my neck out and speak up for what's right," Meskill said.  "Another strength is to be open minded and to listen.  Probably my greatest weakness is my inability to leave work and come home."

Cynthia Riggin moderated the debate, asking questions and keeping the event moving.  Kathy Miller was the timer, and Marce Bean hosted the event.

----
v6i35
elections2010