Why vote for the Dems
I am chair of the Saugerties Democratic Committee. I have been a member of the committee for about 25 years and my parents were members before me. Why does this matter?
Many people express an indifference to party affiliation, whether enrolled, or not. Many people enrolled in a party play no active role in helping to get people elected, except to vote; and many, including many Democrats, do not even vote, especially in local, as distinct from national elections.
I have always voted, and mostly vote for Democratic Party candidates. It matters to me who is making decisions that impact my life. I would rather have an office holder who shares my values and will bring those values to bear in making decisions for our town, county, state and country. Those office holders do not always agree with me, but often they do. I certainly was pleased when our Town Board stood up to the casino proponents, and protected our community from being taken over by casino interests.
You can stay home on Election Day, and say it doesn’t matter who gets elected. You are doing yourself no good turn. For those of you who are Democrats, we do share many values. For those who do not identify as Democrats, you may agree with us more than you think. Democrats in Saugerties favor policies that will keep jobs in the United States and will close the income gap between the very wealthy and the middle class. We support public education that prepares all of our children for the 21st century and unions that fight for the rights of working people..
Democrats believe in working to reduce the environment’s degradation, and reducing the threats and impacts of global warming. We support health care for all people and the right of men and women to choose their own health options.
We support taking corporate millions out of the electoral system; we oppose restrictions that limit access to the ballot for all voters; and we favor non-partisan commissions to draw district lines so incumbents are not guaranteed re-election.
Saugerties Democrats favor the reduced use of incarceration as a predominant law enforcement strategy, and favor community policing reduce the alienation between law enforcement and the citizenry. For us, war is the absolutely last option to resolve international disputes.
If you share all or many of these values, you would best be served by elected officials in sync with you. The candidates in the contested races in Saugerties on the Democratic Party line A are Greg Helsmoortel, Leeanne Thornton, Fred Costello and Chris Allen. Our County Executive Michael Hein is seeking re-election and Christina Ryba is our candidate for State Supreme Court. These candidates share all or most of these values, deserve your support and will best serve your interests. Please vote Row A.
Lanny Walter
Saugerties
Issues not attacks
To all fellow Saugerties voters: It saddens me to see the negativity of political campaigning spill over into our Friendly Saugerties.
Campaigns are most productive when they are issue-driven. The issues were addressed fully and fairly, as always, by the League if Women’s Voters debate. Nothing positive can be achieved through rumor, gossip and innuendo.
Chris Allen has represented District 2 in the Ulster County Legislature for the last two years. He has been diligent in that position. He has been responsive to requests from his constituents, and he has been active in representing both the individuals of his district and of Ulster County.
While opposing candidates often disagree, it should be done with respect and transparency.
Mary Lee Carroll
Saugerties
Allen gets the job done
I am writing this letter to inform the voters of Saugerties what an outstanding job Legislator Chris Allen does in representing Saugerties and all of Ulster County and the entire State of New York. I am a resident of Palenville, and I have had a serious issue with the dumping of construction debris in my next door neighbor’s backyard. Prior to phoning Legislator Allen, I got the run around from elected officials in Greene County for over 2 years. The day that I phoned Legislator Allen is the day that I got results and activity with my problem. Legislator Allen listened to my concerns, asked me relevant questions and immediately phoned Assemblyman Peter Lopez’s office in Albany which led to a visit and interview from Assemblyman Lopez, his aides and Legislator Allen several days later. Although I was not happy with how the DEC has handled the situation since then, it was Legislator Allen who handled the situation with professionalism and a sense of urgency which no other elected officials did within all of Greene County.
It disturbs me to see that Legislator Allen has been slandered and had false accusations leveled against him right in my own community. I can tell everyone from my experiences in Greene County and that in my opinion a lot of corruption exists within Palenville and Greene County, and I truly believe from the bottom of my heart that Legislator Allen did not do what he is accused of doing. Sometimes people make up stories about others for their own personal gain or to gain attention for themselves or just because they do not like someone. It is sad to see such a hard working man who is an honest elected official being slandered so viciously. Legislator Allen is an honorable man who I hold in the highest regard above all other elected officials that I have ever met. Legislator Allen deserves your vote on November 3rd.
Renee Martin
Palenville
Distressing ad
In today’s mail (Monday, Oct. 26) came the most distressing campaign smear literature ever — a repulsive presentation of a candidate depicted as “Down on Women.” The unflattering, numbered picture of the incumbent legislator required searching police records of an unfortunate incident – set to be evaluated later this year resonates “guilty until proven innocent.”
Shame on the unidentified sender(s) of this glossy ad, on expensive heavy-weight paper stock, who might also consider examination of the inner-self : “Let he who be without sin cast the first stone” (write this diatribe, and sleep well at night). Is there a “Down on Men” syndrome at work in the Friendly Saugerties area?
This is a new, all-time low in our local politics, and may backfire by being way too offensive to be condoned with a vote for the opposition come Election Day. This is unfair to the female candidate if done without her approval.
This message is endorsed by several residents — all appalled by the schemers who are hiding their ID, and spewing an undeserved ugliness upon the constituents of the voting district.
Will there be an apology? Might help.
Marge Roach
Saugerties
