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Rutland steps down as coroner

by jmaloni

Press release

Wed, Apr 17th 2013 09:20 am

Cites need to spend time with family, business

Niagara County Fourth District Coroner Richard W. Rutland resigned Tuesday, citing "personal reasons" in a two-sentence letter of resignation to county lawmakers. The resignation takes effect April 30.

Rutland, who was elected to the post in November 2012, after being appointed to fill a vacancy in June, issued the following statement to clarify the reasoning behind his resignation:

"It has been my highest honor to serve the people of Niagara County over the course of the past year. I vowed, when I took this office, that I would treat deaths with absolute dignity. I am proud to say I lived up to that promise. That is also why I have decided to step down.

"The demands of this post compete with my other professional obligations and my family life. To be the coroner Niagara County's residents deserve, I fear those areas might suffer. Alternately, it is unacceptable to provide anything but the best possible care and compassion to the bereaved. I do not take this decision lightly, but I believe it is the right course for both myself and the people I serve.

"I wish my successor all the best, and will make myself available for a transition."

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