Guest Post

First I must say that I am a local committee member of the Republican Party and a volunteer coordinator for Assemblywomen Scozzafava. The selection of Assemblywomen Scozzafava was one of the most fair and open processes ever. The 11 county chairs allowed anyone interested in interviewing a chance to speak to all committee members in a series of interviews across this huge district. Mr. Hoffman was one of nine people who attended the interviews seeking our support. After the interview process the county chairs met to select a candidate. In Jefferson County we allow our 160 or so committee members to vote for who our chairwomen would support. At these interviews Mr. Hoffman made it very clear he felt all candidates were very well qualified and if he wasn’t selected he would support and help our candidate. In an email just two days after we made our selection Mr. Hoffman congratulated Assemblywomen Scozzafava and offered his help. Mr. Hoffman says he is a member of Glenn Beck 9.12 Project which includes principles like Honesty and sincerity, but his actions speak volumes to his commitment.

Conservative Party Chairmen Mike Long made his dissatisfaction very well known to us and his interest to run a third candidate.  If he wanted to run a Conservative Republican he could have talked with Paul Maroun a Conservative Republican who in my opinion and many others was one of our top 3 candidates. Unfortunately Mr. Hoffman was ninth in my opinion and many others who participated in the interviews.  Instead he has chosen Mr. Hoffman, who doesn’t even live in 23rd Congressional District and couldn’t even vote for himself in the November 3rd election.

On many radio shows and 30 second commercial you are provided with some misinformation or limited information on a many things. Assemblywomen Scozzafava is NOT the Working Family candidate or ACORN endorsed. Mr. Owens has the WFP line in the November 3rd election. She sponsored legislation to remove ACORN funding from the New York State budget. In her 11 years in the NYS Assembly she has voted with the Republican Conference 95% of the time. She ranks 5th out of the republicans in Albany for voting along the party line. She would NOT support the health care package as it is proposed, she is supportive of Tort reform, she favors opening state line for competitive insurance and she would oppose the Cap and Trade. On immigration reform she also stands against amnesty and for better regulations. She believes in less government spending and less taxes. She voted NO on the 2009 New York State budget which had the largest increase in spending, taxes and fees in state history. Mr. Hoffman claims this was done to help her run for Congress but this vote was well before anyone knew of Congressmen John McHugh’s appointment.  Dede also received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association.

I have known Assemblywomen Scozzafava for the 11 years I have served as village trustee and now as Mayor. Not once have I considered Assemblywomen Scozzafava a career politician. She has spent countless hours fight for our residents of Northern New York, first as Mayor of Gouverneur, and as New York State Assemblywomen. As New York State Assemblywomen she has provide our residents with exceptional services. She has always been there to assist the Village of West Carthage with any issues at the state or local level.  I question the amount and quality of services our residents and local communities will receive if either of the others were elected. They don’t even feel it is necessary to debate or answer questions on local issues before we vote.

Assemblywomen Scozzafava has worked very hard to bring money back to the North Country for projects that have improved healthcare, brought new business opportunities and created jobs. Mr. Hoffman’s pledge not to accept earmark money worries me. Assemblywomen Scozzafava has made it very clear that there needs to be reform in the system and how money is disturbed. Until changes are made I want a representative that will bring money back to the district for project that make improvements to the community. Many projects would not happen without this type of assistance. The Carthage Area Hospital has had three major projects in the last 5 years that all received earmarked money from Congressman McHugh. These projects improved healthcare to our residents, created and protected jobs, redeveloped an abandon grocery store that was the gateway to our village and is now rebuilding the downtown that was lost to a devastating fire. Hospital Administer Walter Becker would make it very clear none of this would have been possible with earmarked money. Until there is reform we need someone fighting for our district, they are going to earmark the money to someone else if Mr. Hoffman won’t accept it.

So I ask you on November 3rd vote for issues that matter to the North Country, issues that affect us close to home and not allow outside PACs and politicians with there own agenda influence our election. Please vote for Dede Scozzafava on November 3rd.



Thank You

Scott Burto

Mayor

Village of West Carthage