Monday, October 20, 2003
MINERAL RIDGE -- Saying Trumbull County needs a more aggressive chief law enforcement officer, Joseph P. Consiglio formally announced his candidacy for sheriff.
"I promise to run the most vigorous and the most aggressive campaign in the history of Trumbull County," the Weathersfield Township police chief said during a Thursday press conference.
Consiglio, 59, is the first candidate to announce he'll run against Sheriff Thomas Altiere, who is paid $83,942 annually, in the March 2 Democratic primary.
Promising to be a "24-hour-a-day sheriff," Consiglio pledged to trim what he sees as a top-heavy department, as well as get additional training not only for officers in the sheriff's department, but also for law enforcement personnel in other county police agencies.
Putting thought into it
Consiglio said he's been mulling over the decision to run for the county's top cop position for more than two months. He decided to make his announcement before the November general election because, as the challenger, he wants time to take his campaign platform to all residents of the county, whether it be door to door or through meetings with civic and social clubs.
He also noted he does not perceive Altiere as a strong incumbent candidate.
"I will defeat him based on my qualifications, my platform and my ability to do the job," he said. "We need a leader in the sheriff's department, and we are not getting it."
A Weathersfield resident, Consiglio has been a member of the township police department for 20 years and was named chief in February 2002.