Letter from Richard J. Sternberg, MD

Stalter Is the Logical Choice

I am a registered Democrat, but I find myself with no choice but to support and vote for Mike Stalter for sheriff, running on both the Republican and independent Otsego United lines.

The visible criminal behavior in the Sheriff’s Office and current Sheriff Richard Devlin’s failure to set an example and policy for his department and supervise and carry it out—while excusing his own failures and attacking others for politicizing it—indicates that it is now time for him to be relieved of the position.

While I hope this only indicates a complacency, Devlin is no longer fit for the position. Even his argument that he ordered an “independent review,” performed by a friendly colleague but limited solely to one officer filing false papers, while ignoring a general review including that of his own behavior, is highly self-serving. He runs an opaque organization. Even trying to get a message to him led me to a voice mailbox that was full, twice. The undersheriff was equally difficult to reach.

I personally vetted challenger Michael Stalter by speaking with area judges and law enforcement officers, including former Otsego County deputies. Among these peers and former colleagues, Mike has a stellar reputation. By contrast, two local political consultants told me demonstrably false claims about him to discourage my support. I am concerned that a last-minute October surprise could involve a smear campaign or even deepfake tactics, consistent with what I have observed from such operatives.

We need a new sheriff in town and Mike Stalter is the person for the job. Vote on November 3 at your local polling place, or earlier any day through next Sunday at either the Brenner Building, 24 Lauren Drive, Oneonta or the County Meadows Complex, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown (Middlefield).

Richard J. Sternberg, MD
Cooperstown