AUBURN – The flap between the county Sheriff’s Department and Commissioner Elmer Berry reached a new pitch Wednesday when union leaders representing deputies drafted a letter calling for Berry’s resignation.

“They have a right to request it, but I don’t have to comply,” Berry said after learning that the letter had been submitted. “I have no intention of resigning. None whatsoever.”

The letter, titled “Request for Commissioner Resignation,” was prepared by the executive board of the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department’s labor and management unions. It was submitted to the commissioners’ office.

In the letter, the deputy sheriffs’ union officials take aim at Berry and accuse him of generating “nothing but controversy” since Sheriff Guy Desjardins took over as head of the department at the beginning of the year.

“The executive board came to the conclusion that you are not only doing a disservice to the employees of Androscoggin County but also to the people that voted you into office,” the letter states. “You have attempted to silence the taxpayers, employees, the press, and the unions by limiting discussion to department heads only. You refuse to sit down with the sheriff or the unions to even look at the justification for a new patrol officer.”

Desjardins has been attempting to add a new officer to the county ranks since he took office. The sheriff and his supporters insist night patrols are inadequate, with only two deputies covering an entire county. That presents a dangerous situation for the deputies and for the people they serve, Desjardins says.

Berry has consistently countered by arguing that $180,000 in community corrections funds may not be coming to the county.

“They’ve been beating that drum for months,” Desjardins said Wednesday.

As it turned out, there were indications out of Augusta on Wednesday that the funds will be approved after all.

“The community corrections moneys not only have been funded, but it appears there will be a 4 percent increase in the 2008/2009 funding,” the letter states.

Desjardins was also told the state money was being approved.

“That’s a very good thing for the people,” he said.

Still, Berry gave no sign Wednesday that he plans to allow for the hiring of an extra officer and continued to question whether one is needed.

The sheriff said he suspects the calls for Berry’s resignation will be ignored. But he said the very fact that the letter was written further illustrates the level of frustration on the part of the people who work for the county.

“I think the staff is feeling upset and discouraged, and they need to vent,” Desjardins said. “They just need to do so professionally.”

The authors of the letter, including David Trafford, president of the labor union, and Capt. Ray LaFrance, president of the management union, insist that the public has turned against Berry as well. Many have written letters in support of Desjardins while others had aired their opinions in online forums.

“Many members of the public have voiced their opinion on your management abilities, lack of tact and caring for others,” the letter states. “Those same people have also voiced their desire to vote you out of office at the next election. Today, the union is asking that you do as the people and employees of Androscoggin County ask and resign your position immediately. Your form of government and leadership is unthinkable and illogical and is no longer wanted in Androscoggin County.”

Since the controversy began, union leaders have suggested that Berry and other commissioners have let personal feelings and resentment over Desjardins’ power cloud their judgment.

“The fact that the power has been taken from the commissioners and returned to the new sheriff, where it rightfully belongs, has not sat well with your office,” the letters states. “The anger that you carry has been displayed in many of the recent meetings.”

Earlier Wednesday, Berry apologized for remarks he made about deputies who traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend services in honor of their fallen comrade Sgt. David Rancourt, who died on duty last fall.

Berry apologized to Rancourt’s widow and son, insisting he meant no insult to them.

“That was not the intent,” he said.

His point, Berry said, was that if 11 county employees, some of them sheriff’s deputies, were able to travel to Washington for services, it was a clear indication that the ranks are not understaffed.

The sheriff and others, however, have pointed out that deputies and officers from other departments worked together to adjust their schedules so that a good sized group could attend the memorial in honor of Rancourt.

Desjardins responded to Berry’s remarks Wednesday in an online Sun Journal forum:

“If I could have spoken at your last Commissioners meeting I would have advised your Commission of this most important event. I sincerely hope that as many citizens of our county attend their communities local Memorial Day events and take the opportunity to thank those now serving in uniform and those that have served in the past,” the sheriff said. “For you Commissioner Berry, I would rather you say as little as possible regrading Deputy David Rancourt, his family and the men and women that have proudly served with him. Enough damage has been done with your words.”