The damaged ‘Dougherty for Sheriff’ vehicle. (Photo/ Facebook)
STORY UPDATED BELOW WITH UNDERSHERIFF SZCZESNIAK STATEMENT
LIVINGSTON COUNTY — As tensions mount in the race for Livingston County Sheriff both sides have reported missing and vandalized signs, but the worst reported incident was earlier this month with a broken truck window.
On October 15th one of the Dougherty for Sheriff trucks sustained a smashed drivers side window while parked in Lima, no item was found inside the vehicle that might have caused the damaged.
“Our focus during the campaign is to stay positive and to continue giving the residents of Livingston County the facts necessary to vote for the right candidate in the upcoming Sheriff’s election, but events like this one are disheartening,” Dougherty stated. “The damaged truck isn’t going anywhere. We will continue to promote our campaign in Lima, and we hope the person or people responsible for the damage will do the right thing and help repair the vehicle.”
The estimated repair cost of the window is $250.00. If anyone has any information on the damage they should call the Livingston County Sheriffs office at (585) 243 7100.
The election is November 5th where Tom Dougherty is on the Republican line, and Undersheriff Jim Szczesniak is running on the Conservative line.
STATEMENT FROM UNDERSHERIFF SZCZESNIAK:
I think the people of Livingston County understand that our campaign does not condone acts of vandalism – even when they are committed against our political opponent’s campaign operation. I appreciate the fact that both Tom’s campaign and mine have played fairly up to this point. We have kept our respective campaigns positive, and I desire that it remain that way.
Both campaigns have come under attack in recent months by misguided individuals. Prior to the September Primary, it was my campaign’s van that was vandalized in Mt. Morris and a cousin’s van in Lakeville. Police reports concerning these incidents were filed. It appears that the acts against these two vehicles were committed by teens with too much time on their hands. I expect and hope that it is the same concerning Mr. Dougherty’s vehicle.
However, as a gesture of goodwill, I am personally offering to pay for the damage sustained to Mr. Dougherty’s campaign truck on October 15. I want Mr. Dougherty and campaign supporters on both sides to understand this is inappropriate behavior. No matter who committed the crime, no one is above the law.
In the finals days of this campaign, may cooler heads prevail as we strive to keep Livingston County a safe community.