By Eileen Buckley
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Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard said he will not resign. Howard is responding to a Buffalo News editorial printed Tuesday.
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The News editorial states Erie County needs a new Sheriff. It refers to last week's report released by the State Commission of Correction that was critical of Sheriff Howard and jail management for last October's escape of an inmate on the roof of the Erie County Holding Center.
"I have no intention of resigning, in fact I plan to run again again in three more years," said Howard.
The 66 page report accuses Howard and senior jail managers of gross negligence and incompetence.
But Sheriff Howard believes the News editorial is purely political. He says the News did not endorsement his re-election last November.
"I think that we have one or two specific reporters that are troubled by the fact that I called them on a fact that, in particular, said a female inmate had no water, when he knew, and this is blatant irresponsible reporting, that he knew that individual had a drinking fountain in her cell," said Howard.
The News editorial says if Howard won't leave his post, then Governor David Paterson should use his power to remove him.
Sheriff Howard has three weeks to respond to the COC report. Howard said he will rebut all 66 pages of it.