“Sheriff Allard is doing his job”
An OPINION by Joe Huang-Racalto, Hornell, NY
The Steuben County Legislature has once again revealed its true motives—not a commitment to transparency or public safety, but a shameless political attack against Sheriff Jim Allard for daring to speak the truth. The recent statement from County officials, filled with self-congratulatory claims about their “support” for law enforcement, is nothing more than an attempt to deflect from their own misconduct.
Let’s be clear: Sheriff Allard has every right to criticize elected officials and county staff when their actions compromise public safety, misuse taxpayer money, or violate the law. His so-called “troubling public statements” are nothing more than truthful and necessary warnings about the County’s mismanagement, unlawful actions, or, more likely, political interference.
The Legislature’s History of Retaliation
This latest statement from the County is just another chapter in a long history of political retaliation. The New York State Supreme Court has already ruled that the Legislature acted in bad faith, violated the Open Meetings Law, and illegally attempted to strip Sheriff Allard of indemnification. The court struck down these actions, exposing them for what they truly were—a politically motivated effort to punish the Sheriff for refusing to bow to improper demands.
The County’s attempt to strip the Sheriff of indemnification was one of the most reckless and dangerous decisions in Steuben County history. This legal protection is essential for all law enforcement officers to do their jobs without fear of personal financial ruin. The County Legislature deliberately put Sheriff Allard at risk, proving once and for all that their so-called “support for law enforcement” is nothing more than political theater.
Twisting the Facts to Justify an Attack
The County points to increased funding for the Sheriff’s Office as “proof” that there is no anti-law enforcement bias. But funding alone does not erase the fact that they have actively worked to undermine the Sheriff at every turn. It does not erase the fact that they violated state law, held illegal meetings, and wasted $200,000 in taxpayer money trying to strip an elected Sheriff of his ability to serve.
Moreover, the suggestion that Sheriff Allard should remain silent and accept these attacks is absurd. When the County orders the Sheriff to halt an investigation, when it engages in unlawful closed-door meetings, and when it tries to strip him of critical legal protections, he has a duty to speak out. That is not “unprofessional”—that is the responsibility of an elected law enforcement leader.
A Call for Accountability
The people of Steuben County deserve better. They deserve a government that is transparent, ethical, and focused on public safety—not political vendettas. Instead of working with Sheriff Allard to improve law enforcement, the County Legislature has spent years trying to weaken him, retaliate against him, and silence him.
The Supreme Court has already ruled against them once, and if they continue down this road, it will not be the last time they face legal consequences for their abuses of power. The residents of Steuben County must demand accountability, transparency, and an end to the political games.
Sheriff Allard is doing his job. The County Legislature should stop trying to punish him for it.
