Colleen O'Neill votes this morning in LaFargeville

Jefferson County Sheriff candidate Colleen O'Neill voted today at around 9:00 am in La Fargeville.

"I am looking forward to continuing to campaign up until the end of the day," said Ms. O'Neill. "I also encourage everyone to vote today."

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Colleen O'Neill announces endorsement from Senator Gillibrand

Jefferson County Sheriff candidate Colleen O'Neill announced today that she has been endorsed by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. 

"I am thrilled to receive Senator Gillibrand's endorsement," said Ms. O'Neill. "As Sheriff, I look forward to working with her to support my efforts in Jefferson County in keeping our communities and schools safe."

Senator Gillibrand said, "I am pleased to endorse Colleen M. O'Neill for Jefferson County Sheriff. Colleen has a proven record of exemplary police work, serving 28 years with the New York State Police, as well as the necessary experience as a supervisor and leader within that agency. I am even more excited that Colleen will become the first female elected Sheriff in New York State, and join the ever-increasing number of women elected to political positions."

O'Neill receives endorsement from the Black Horse Chaper of the Association of Former NYS Troopers

Jefferson County Sheriff candidate Colleen O'Neill today announced that she has received the endorsement of the Black Horse Chapter of the Association of Former New York State Troopers.  

"This endorsement has special meaning to me because I worked alongside the members of this group serving Jefferson County for years," said Ms. O'Neill. The endorsement underscores the fact that through professional and personal contact, I have earned the respect of my fellow Troopers. Thank You Black Horse members for considering both candidates, for voting and your putting your trust and confidence in me." 

Ms. O'Neill has previously been endorsed by the New York State Troopers PBA, the New York State Police Investigators Association, the Police Council of New York, the National Troopers Coalition, IBEW Local 910, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2, Jefferson-Lewis -St. Lawrence Counties Central Trades & Labor Council AFL-CIO, and CSEA Central Region 5.

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O'Neill receives CSEA endorsement

Jefferson County Sheriff Candidate Colleen O’Neill announced today she has received an endorsement from Civil Service Employees Association, Central Region 5.  The CSEA represents the largest number of Jefferson County employees, about 600 of the over 800 county employees.

“This endorsement is very heartening to me,” said Ms. O’Neill. “This is an important union that represents many of the County’s employees.  As Sheriff, I will value the mutual support of all of Jefferson County Departments and I hope to have the opportunity to work together on many issues and incidents.”

This is the eighth union endorsement that Ms. O’Neill has received. She is also endorsed by:

·         New York State Troopers PBA

·         New York State Police Investigators Association

·         Police Council of New York

·         National Troopers Coalition

·         IBEW Local 910

·         Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers Local 2

·         Jefferson-Lewis-St. Lawrence Counties Central Trades & Labor Council AFL-CIO

Colleen O'Neill reflects on the Primary results

Thank you to the Jefferson County voters who have shown their faith in me and believe that I will be a true leader for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

I have always said that if elected, I would change the things that are not working and to make the things that are working, work even better. That said, I truly believe that the deputies, corrections officers and civilian personnel of the Sheriff’s Office deserve the respect of the community they serve. That matters very much to me.

I am not a politician. I was a law enforcement officer for more years of my life than I wasn’t. Campaigning does not come naturally to me but telling the truth and having strong beliefs and values does. I learned about integrity by watching and listening to my parents, and then by working alongside some of the finest police officers in the country.

The team of family, friends and supporters I’ve had around me throughout this journey have been nothing short of amazing. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. Without them, there simply wouldn’t have been a campaign.

Congratulations Paul Trudeau on a great campaign. Your career in law enforcement is honorable and I congratulate you for that. I know how proud you must be of your team as they worked very hard for you.  My sincere best wishes to you and your family.

Going forward to the general election in November, my message will stay the same. I am an honest, no-nonsense professional with unmatched leadership qualifications and law enforcement experience. I will again ask the voters on November 4^th,, this time from all party affiliations to support me like they did yesterday and allow me the honor of serving them as Jefferson County Sheriff.

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Colleen O'Neill lays out plan to enhance community and school safety

Jefferson County Sheriff candidate Colleen O’Neill has put forth a plan to focus the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office to enhance the safety of communities and schools throughout the County. The plan calls for:

• a goal of having a common police presence in every school,
• initiating community-oriented policing activities in partnership with local law enforcement agencies for each of the towns and villages,
• holding regular town hall meetings at each of the school districts, towns and villages to allow the public to bring forth their own ideas for ensuring community safety
• using a reverse 911 system on different levels to keep the public informed of emergencies and community interests.

O’Neill said that she has heard from many citizens about community safety. “I have been listening to the community’s concerns since I announced my candidacy for Jefferson County Sheriff in January. Parents tell me they want to send their children to school with the confidence that they will return home safely,” she said.  “As a starting point, I will ensure that a Sheriff’s Deputy adds a stop into a school, as time allows, in the course of their regular patrol. But my ultimate goaI will be to spearhead a program where state, county and local law enforcement agencies share the responsibility of this school safety program. My experience in working with these agencies will be extremely beneficial to this program’s creation. Investing in educating our kids of the dangers of among other things - drugs, bullying and distracted driving is a start. The positive result of this investment may not be immediately evident but with this commitment, the next several years may see a decline rather than another spike of these types of problems.”

Ms. O’Neill said that a police officer in school serves a purpose much greater than as simply a reactionary agent to an incident that threatens immediate danger.  A police officer can be a role model, an educator and an informal counselor.

Ms. O’Neill also pointed out that in meeting with local law enforcement agencies in Jefferson County, she has heard about the lack of collaborative relations between the Sheriff’s Office and them.  She will make it one of her top priorities to repair those relationships and foster a joint effort to work together under a community-oriented policing model. “It also means a mindset change from within the Sheriff’s Office that proactively emphasizes problem-solving and partnership-building”.

Ms. O’Neill acknowledges that programs and initiatives take funding. She said a budget review may be in order to ensure the taxpayers are not burdened but that the community and the school kids are protected.

Ms. O’Neill said that the plan is evolving and that additional goals and objectives will be added. “I have a vision of operating a law enforcement agency that is the very best in New York State because it has refocused its efforts on community and school safety through a comprehensive inter-agency collaboration and shared services.”

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Sheriff candidate Colleen O'Neill to hold Art Auction Fundraiser Thursday

The Friends of Colleen O'Neill are hosting an Art Auction fundraiser on Thursday August 21st at the Historic Masonic Temple, 242 Washington Street in Watertown. The event is from 6pm to 9pm and will feature paintings, drawings, photography, pottery, decoys, stained glass, quilts and more, all by local artists. The live auction will begin at 8pm. Hors d'oeuvres, music and a cash bar are included.  Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple. Contact 321-543-1069.