Franklin County Sheriff’s race: Nichols now faces Pike in November
Scott Nichols Sr. (right) will run against incumbent Sheriff Dennis Pike (left) in November.
FARMINGTON - After a convincing win of 1,539 to 806 votes over contender Tom White for the Franklin County sheriff Republican nominee, Scott Nichols, Sr. of New Sharon, will now be facing incumbent Sheriff Dennis Pike, U-Farmington in the November election.
"I'm obviously very happy with the results," said Nichols, who currently serves as Carrabassett Valley's police chief. "I want to thank Tom for his and his family's effort. He ran a good, clean campaign that focused on the issues and the voters decided." White of Jay, is a veteran detective with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, who ran unsuccessfully in a bid for sheriff against Pike four years ago.
Pike, who continues to run for sheriff as an independent candidate, had kept a low profile during the Republican primary race, preferring not to comment until after the primary election. He did turn in nomination papers to the Secretary of State's Office by the June 1 deadline to reserve a place on the November ballot towards a fourth, four-year term as sheriff.
Pike noted he received his first law enforcement badge in November of 1966 and has set a 50-year goal for serving Franklin County. "At an early age, what I most preferred was to be a cop," he said. "Hopefully, I'll make one more term to reach a half century."
With the narrow voter approval of 2,062 yes and 2,035 no for a $598,300 bond to build a new dispatch center, Pike said after years of trying to get something done to ease the constraining space and other out-of-date issues at the current sheriff's office, he is grateful that the new center can now be built.
"I'm elated," he said of the vote. "I'm looking forward to helping with the design construction and implementation of the new dispatch center." He added he wanted to give the building committee credit for the project's approval, particularly dispatcher and committee chair, Stan Wheeler, who presented the plan at public hearings.
Nichols said he, too, is very happy for the new construction approval.
"Every level of public safety - police, fire, ambulance, dispatch, realizes the importance of a new center; the actual need of it to protect the people of Franklin County," Nichols said. He added, "I'm glad it passed and I hope the folks who voted against it will realize how important this is for the benefit of everyone."
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i think it is time franklin county votes and put a new face in the county. Instead of the same old faces that have been running things there way.
Mr. Nichols got my vote on tueday and he will get my vote in november
A lot of people like the face that's been in the county and I'm sure November will SHOW that _my vote is for Mr Pike..
I dont care to "join the posse."
For those of us who do not know the candidates personally, these photos are poorly chosen. If you show one candidate smiling manfully at the camera in a clearly posed shot so should the other candidate's photo be posed, not candid (looking down--kind, sweet, submissive?). Any reasonable Deer would choose the man with the bolder gaze, the stronger portrait, for sheriff. Bad photojournalism.
Agreed, sometimes it is best to go with the old faces. Mr.Pike will have my vote as well.
I know both weel and Dennis for many years, but it is time for a change in leadership and Scott is the one that can do that. We all appreciate Dennis' many years of service but I was in hopes that he would retire and enjoy that time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Law enforcement is a younger man's job and at 75 years old it's time for Dennis to step down.
I hope the best man wins in the fall. The people will decide and sometimes change is good for all. It is not about making 50 years it is about what is best for our community.
A 50 year goal for law enforcement. Great well what are you going to do to make the Sheriff's Department better. We need someone who wants to put his department and county first instead of personal gain. I think that statement says it all. My vote again will be for Scott Nichols. Can't wait for November.
Agreed. Running again to prove your not too old and to make a personal 50 year goal in law enforcement doesnt help the rest of us. Dennis, please enjoy your retirement for your family's sake. You've done well, it's time to hand over the keys and let Scott continue what you've accomplished.
times have changed and I have alot of respect for Mr. Pike but law enforcement is getting more and more critical every day. Drugs are becoming more of a problem evereywhere, people being killed and the killers are nhot being found and eventually all this is going to end up in our own communities hitting close to home. We need officers that can be out in the field helping to prevent as much of this as possable. Don't get me wrong i have enjoyed Mr. Pike as sherriff but it is time for him to enjoy retirement and his family. Scott Nichols is the MAN FOR THE JOB. Over the past 12 years I have had a chance to work beside Scott Nichols on serveral different situations as a Firefighter and as an EMT-B and he is very professional and knows his profession better then most. His background more then speaks for its self. I look forward to the many possative changes that I know Scott will bring to the table. MY VOTE WILL BE FOR SCOTT NICHOLS IN NOVEMBER FOR SURE. But I thank Mr. Pike for his many great years of being sherriff and wish him well
I really do respect Sheriff Pike years of service. He is an outstanding person and has served Franklin County well. But It 2012 and newer things are out and law enforcement has changed. Sheriff Pike with do respect sir, it is time for a change, you have done your time sir, please allow Mr. Nichols to take the torch from you. Franklin county needs a new face. My vote will be for Scott but I will always respect Sheriff Pike and what he has done in so many years of protecting and serving. thank you Sir.
time for a much needed change.
my vote is for Scott Nichols.
time for Mr.Pike to retire and enjoy life with his family and friends.
he has had a long life of past dedicated to public service.
has done his fair share.
Thank you to both of these fine gentlemen for their many years of sacrificial dedicated service. And thank you both for your willingness to run for elected office- I know that the process can be unpleasant. However, Sheriff Pike, I was really hoping you would go out on your own terms instead of making the voters elect your opponent and choose your retirement for you. When your opponent happens to be someone of the caliber of Scott Nichols, I have no choice but to support such excellence with my vote. Franklin County will be well represented to have Scott as our next Sheriff.
I see no need to have a party affiliation for a law enforcement officer. As I will never vote for anyone with an R after his/her name, I will be voting Pike. Dennis, my lawn is available again for your posters. It has served you well the last three times.
Tom Knight speaks like a true Democrat. Why would we worry about solving economic issues or reducing crime rates when we have more important things to worry about like whether you a D or an R after your name?
Our sheriff may be a member of a law enforcement team, but the office is in reality a political position. The office has its roots in medieval England, where the sheriff was known as the "shire reeve" (hence the root word for the county seat's being known as a "shiretown"). The original shire reeve had great power in protecting the common people from the tyranny of the king. The office of county sheriff in the United States is one of the most powerful political offices in the nation, again with great authority to protect the people of the county from tyranny originating from the Federal or state government. Considering how that it seems to be the goal of many Democrats to increase the power of the state at the expense of the personal freedoms of the citizens, I feel much more comfortable to vote for a sheriff with an "R" beside his name, than a sheriff with a "D" beside his name.
5thgenMaine
It's wrong for party affiliation to be part of this. Our police officers, firemen, EMTs execute their roles without needing to put forth a connection to a political party. I'd prefer a non-political sherrif.
Dear Fool. Indeed, you have been fooled, or indoctrinated. The dominant power in the realm today is the power of the ultra-wealthy, as represented in most cases by what is known as the republican party, but which is actually one ring of the political circus. It is the near-fanatical clown ring in many cases. And dangerous as the future becomes now. That's why a sheriff with a U and not a D or R would be best.
I feel that Dennis Pike has been a great man and done a whole lot for our community not only in the official role as sheriff but has always been there publicly as well. I think if it is decided by the community they want a change we need to be sure that the new face can do as well and improve the situation like they want. I also believe that if he is not elected this term he should be given another place to work within the law enforcement system so that he may fulfill his hope for 50 years of service, for all he has done for our community, familes, and children over the years we owe him that right. I hope the best man for the the job wins, and the man we have chosen so many times gets the reward I believe he has earned. Just something to think about while deciding what is best for everyone.