Sheriffs: Cuomo asked for silence [Threaten Sheriffs speaking out against gun control]

Albany TU ^ | May 21, 2013 | Jimmy Vielkind

[Fitzy_888]

The sheriffs thought they were being summoned to the Capitol to discuss ideas for changes to New York's gun control law, the SAFE Act. Instead, Gov. Andrew Cuomo told them to keep quiet.

(...)

Cuomo invited its leaders to the Capitol last month, people briefed on the meeting said. The group included Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Peter Kehoe and Chemung County Sheriff Christopher Moss.

"We didn't get a response (to the analysis) from him, but we could tell after the budget was passed that none of those recommendations were taken into consideration," Moss said. "When we got there, we never got to the contents of the letter."

Instead, Cuomo pushed the sheriffs to stop publicly speaking out against the act, Moss said.

"The governor was of the opinion that the sheriffs around the state should not be interjecting their personal opinions in reference to the law," Moss said, adding that Cuomo said sheriffs can't do that and enforce the law.

One person briefed on the meeting said Cuomo threatened to remove sheriffs from office, a little-used power afforded the state's chief executive under the state constitution. Moss would not confirm this. He did say the meeting was heated at times, but overall he described it as "cordial."

(...)

Last week, the Sheriffs' Association as well as several elected sheriffs filed an amicus curiae brief supporting a federal challenge to the SAFE Act.

(...)

[neverdem]

One person briefed on the meeting said Cuomo threatened to remove sheriffs from office, a little-used power afforded the state's chief executive under the state constitution. Moss would not confirm this. He did say the meeting was heated at times, but overall he described it as "cordial."

Kehoe did not return calls, and Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi declined to comment. An administration official, speaking anonymously because he was not authorized to discuss a private meeting, "strongly" denied Cuomo had threatened to remove any sheriff.

Last week, the Sheriffs' Association as well as several elected sheriffs filed an amicus curiae brief supporting a federal challenge to the SAFE Act.

After the 1960s, NY governors might well be able to remove a county sheriff. It might be a bluff. I don't know.

[nothingnew]

Those guys are the State Patrol. They mainly do highway patrol and guard the Governor.

Yeah, OK, if you say so.

FMCDH(BITS)

[MileHi]

Actually, I do say so. My dad was CSP for 30 years and at one point in charge of security for Dick Lamm.

[Joe 6-pack]

"The governor was of the opinion that the sheriffs around the state should not be interjecting their personal opinions in reference to the law," Moss said, adding that Cuomo said sheriffs can't do that and enforce the law."

So if, in the 1950s, a southern sheriff took it on himself to oppose Jim Crow, Cuomo would have had heartburn with that.

[nothingnew]

Actually, I do say so. My dad was CSP for 30 years and at one point in charge of security for Dick Lamm.

I do not doubt you. I'm saying that the "Highway Patrol" or the State cops can pull over, investigate, arrest you for more than just "speeding". That's all I'm saying.

I've not seen the Governor showing up where I live.

FMCDH(BITS)

[MileHi]

I'm saying that the "Highway Patrol" or the State cops can pull over, investigate, arrest you for more than just "speeding".

Yep. Typically, if a State Trooper encounters something, say drugs in a vehicle, he would detain the person for the sheriff or local police to take them into custody.

I've not seen the Governor showing up where I live.

The Hick doesn't care about you or me.

Take care!

[nothingnew]

Take care!

Rest assured I will. My friends Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson have my back...and front.

Take care too, MileHi.

FMCDH(BITS)