ROCHESTER, N.Y. - County Executive candidate Adam Bello today announced
endorsements from several major public safety unions in Monroe County, including the
Monroe County Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the Monroe County Deputy
Sheriff’s Association, the Rochester Airport Firefighters, IAFF Local 1636, and the
Monroe County Law Enforcement Association.
“The fundamental responsibility of government is to protect the well-being of its
citizens. I can’t say enough how honored I am to have the support of the hard-working
men and women who risk their lives daily to keep Monroe County safe,” said Bello. “As
Monroe County Executive, I pledge to treat our public safety employees with the
respect they have earned and will never take for granted the sacrifices they make.”
The Monroe County Police Benevolent Association represents nearly 250 Deputy
Sheriffs serving in the Police Bureau of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. In 2016, in
an unprecedented move, over 40 members of this unit retired because of uncertainty
surrounding future benefits for retirees. “Throughout Adam’s time in public service, he
has always put hardworking families first,” said Monroe County Sheriff PBA President
Jason Elliotto. “Our members know that with Adam as our next County Executive, they
will have an honorable and reliable partner in government as they serve and protect our
community.”
Michael Samperi, President of the Monroe County Deputy Sheriff’s Association added,
“The membership of MCDSA is proud to support Mr. Bello in his campaign to become
the County Executive of the County of Monroe. It is evident Mr. Bello holds public
safety in high regard. We recognize his vision to support the men and women who
provide public safety while exercising fiscal responsibility to the residents of Monroe
County. A change in leadership breathed new life in to the Monroe County Sheriff’s
Office on January 1, 2018. We look forward to Mr. Bello’s bid to do the same for the
County of Monroe.”
The Airport Firefighters Association is making just the second endorsement in its
history, citing the need for change after years of contentious interactions with the
county. “For too long, Monroe County’s Republican management has shown a lack of
respect for its employees and its residents. With multiple scandals involving tax dollars,
and employee bargaining units going several years without contracts, the County
Executive’s office has failed to make the changes Monroe County deserves,” Local 1636
President Paul Miller stated.
John Crespo, President of the Monroe County Law Enforcement Association, which
represents over 120 court deputies and court sergeants added, “Members of the
MCLEA stand with Adam Bello because it is time to return strong leadership to the
County Executive’s office; leadership that will honor and respect our law enforcement
professionals and all working families throughout our community.”
During his tenure as both Monroe County Clerk and Irondequoit Town Supervisor,
Bello has prioritized the need to have strong working relationships with the public
employees who serve in government.
“I see the relationship between the County Administration and all of our public safety
employees as being critical in addressing important issues like the opioid crisis,” said
Bello. “Those efforts are only hampered when the County Executive does not afford the
necessary respect to the men and women of law enforcement who are so critical to
keeping our community safe. Starting next January, that respect will be mutual.”