VanBlarcum: “… you always do the right thing for the right reason”
KINGSTON – After serving in the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office for 42 ½ years, the last 12 as sheriff, Paul VanBlarcum is returning to the civilian world.
Newly elected Sheriff Juan Figueroa is taking over the top county law enforcement job. He defeated VanBlarcum in the November election after he beat the incumbent in the Democratic primary election in September. Figueroa won that party’s endorsement leaving VanBlarcum to secure the Republican and Conservative Party lines.
The outgoing sheriff feels he lost because his beliefs were too strong for the rank-and-file Democratic members.
“I believe the things that sunk me in the election were for sure visiting the president in the Oval Office, but I would do that again. We were down there for the right reason and you always do the right thing for the right reason. My stance on asking people if you are qualified and you have a permit and you are comfortable and you are trained and you know the laws to carry a weapon; that didn’t go over so well. I was against sanctuary cities and still am. Those are all Democratic initiatives.”
VanBlarcum said his crowning achievement as sheriff was creation of the
Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Task Force, earning four accreditations
for the sheriff’s office, starting the converting the automotive
fleet to hybrid and solar powering of hot water at the law enforcement
center.
