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Editor, The North Country Gazette:
This particular article about the suicide in Queensbury, as ruled by Sheriff Larry Cleveland, and questioned by his daughter, is a good example why the people of Warren County need to become proactive and start a recall or at least vote him out of office next year. http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/051906QuestionsInvestigation.html
As I recall on the website to the Sheriff's office, it plainly states "Twenty-First Century Law Enforcement." Now I have to ask the citizens of Warren County, "Was there an extensive report as to why the Sheriff considered it a suicide?" What did Albany do besides identify the body. Did they verify any type of poison or drugs or medications that might have been a factor in the man's death? What were the results of the man's contacts shortly before his disappearance? Did he have any enemies? Was he an alcoholic and mixed too much medication with alcohol? Was he a gambler and ran a debt too high to pay back and paid for his debt? Even though he had low periods of business, did some see a money making adventurer who asked him to sell and he refused? Now that he is gone, might someone take his place?
I can grieve with his daughter. To you citizens of Warren County, let's look at the facts. The man had a business which he did for a number of years. Somehow, he managed to raise a daughter to adulthood. So there must have been a loving relationship since she is excruciatingly crying out that her dad would not have committed suicide. So over the years, he had his ups and downs and still continued to persist, with his daughter and without. Now, all of a sudden, he "Committed Suicide?" Where is the Twenty-First Law Enforcement?
OK! Let's ramble. He killed himself about a mile from his house. He was so disgusted with life, that he threw his wallet and other remains, walked a little farther with a rope until he found a good tree and hung himself. Could he have been killed, because he was not white? Hmm! I know we have KKK in Michigan, how about your area? Is your Sheriff aware of this possibility? Could he be prejudiced, and not look any further, because the man was not white? Hmm! Twenty-First Century Law Enforcement? Hmm!
Let me tell you about my father. Every summer he was out of work, because of his occupation. He put on a good show for us, even though we knew he was somewhat depressed. He persisted, we persisted, we grew up with love and moved on in life and even though he was out of work for the remaining years of his life, he persisted. He didn't commit suicide. At this point, look at the side of the dead man's daughter. She knew her father. She knew that her father would never have committed suicide. She is questioning why there isn't any Twenty-First Century Law Enforcement in Warren County.
If you are out of work and depressed because of my Tourism Boycott, don't commit suicide, don't blame me, blame yourselves, because Larry Cleveland is still Sheriff.
Ron Zdrojewski
Redford, Mich.
Editor's Note:
Recall elections are not an option in New York State. They are an electoral device in American politics which allow citizens to remove an elected official from office before the end of that person's term. Like initiatives and referendum, recall elections are considered an extension of democracy in that they allow citizens to hold elected officials to account after they have been elected and during their term in office. In that recalls are not as yet an option in New York State, obviously democracy has not been extended in the state.
Recall is in effect in at least 18 states and those who wish to remove an official from office, must file a petition with the names of usually 25% of the number of people who cast their vote for that official in the previous election. Then a special election is held. If the majority of those who vote for that official to be removed, so be it. The person who succeeds the official can be voted for in the special election or can be elected at a later election.
By having recall elections in effect, officials need to be continuously responsible and responsive to public opinion.
Recalls do not require accusations of illegal acts, they can be used if an official is considered to be incompetent. In Michigan in 1984 a tax increase was overturned by the use of a recall election removing some of the officials who voted for that tax increase.
Among the states permitting recall are Minnesota, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin along with the District of Columbia. A recall trial is provided for in Virginia rather than an election. 5-22-06
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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