WEST BOYLSTON — Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis formally announced he is running for re-election as Worcester County sheriff. Running on a platform of “Promises Made/Promises Kept,” Evangelidis made his official re-election announcement at his campaign kick-off and community celebration held on June 23 at Wachusett Country Club in front of more than 500 supporters and many community leaders, according to a press release Also in attendance was Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, who offered strong praise for the Sheriff.
“There are few people in public service who are as dedicated to improving lives as Lew Evangelidis,” Baker said in the press release. “His department has touched and transformed many lives without judgment. This is what Sheriff Lew does, he helps folks emerge from extremely difficult circumstances in life by providing them compassion, hope along with no-nonsense resources and programs to turn their lives around. Worcester County is a better, safer place because of the work, vision, and leadership of Sheriff Evangelidis.”
During his tenure, Evangelidis is the first and only sheriff in Massachusetts to prohibit campaign donations from employees and their spouses. Promotions at the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office are strictly based on professionalism and merit. Evangelidis also increased the hiring standards for correctional officers to the most stringent in the Commonwealth, requiring at minimum an associates degree and/or honorable military service.
In addition, Evangelidis has overseen the advancement and construction of the most comprehensive mental health and substance-use disorder treatment building located at a correctional facility in the region.
“With almost 90 percent of our inmate population experiencing significant mental health, substance-use and co-occurring disorders, our priority must focus on addressing all of these underlying issues, said Evangelidis. “The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is proud to serve as home to the most advanced and comprehensive mental health and clinical treatment facility at a correctional setting in the Commonwealth. Both our inmates as well as the public at large benefit because we are able to provide effective services that in turn give individuals the best chance to stop the vicious cycle of crime and addiction.”
In addition to Gov. Baker, among those speaking in support of Evangelidis at the campaign celebration was former inmate at the Worcester County House of Correction, John Wayne Cormier. Jr. Both a former inmate and addict, now in full recovery, Cormier thanked the sheriff for helping him to stop his cycle of crime, addiction and incarceration.
“Sheriff Evangelidis provided me the tools to get well. While in jail, I was able to participate in intense and incredibly effective recovery programs that this sheriff made available. Not only did I complete the classes, it was the first time I was a graduate of anything. Today, I stand with Sheriff Lew because he believed in me. It is because of his commitment, care and compassion that I am now a productive citizen in society and my life is fully back on track. Lew comes through,” said former Worcester County House of Correction Inmate John W. Cormier.
In addition, Evangelidis also created the largest agricultural and organic farming program located at a correctional facility in New England. With over 14 acres of farmland including an apple orchard, the organic farm located at the Sheriff’s Department has provided over 200,000 pounds of fresh organic produce to help serve food pantries, veterans groups and senior centers throughout Worcester County during the last decade. The added benefit, the farm also helps feed the inmate population while saving food costs at the jail.
While sheriff, Evangelidis has also made community outreach and community service a top priority. Under his leadership, the Sheriff’s Department began a shelter dog program pairing low-risk inmates with local shelter dogs to provide both the inmates and the homeless pups with a second chance at life. The Department also oversees the region’s largest winter coat drive, largest senior citizens picnic and provides free self-defense classes for women in partnership with the Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation.
“I am honored to serve as Sheriff of Worcester County. As your sheriff, I have worked to increase public safety while making our community a safer better place. I am proud to run one of the finest sheriff’s departments in the nation based strictly on professionalism and public safety with ‘Promises Made and Promises Kept.’ With our campaign announcement, I am extraordinarily grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of community support I have already received,” said Evangelidis.