Oneida county voters deserve debate

Let me begin by congratulating Anthony Picente with his recent Republican primary victory. With that said, as the Democrat in the race, I hope we’re beyond the chaos and name calling that doesn’t allow the voters of this county to hear the real issues facing our taxpaying community. That can only occur when the public can watch us in debates that give the voting public a reason to come out and vote!

The local taxpayers continue to pay the highest sales tax in Upstate New York. Our farmers are at record levels of bankruptcies and despair, with milk prices at the same average price over the past decade and costs risingwell above their stagnant wages!

Our young college graduates, with high college debt, and without local business opportunities, are fleeing the area at record numbers! It goes on and on!

After 13 years of record spending and raising our long-term debt to higher levels then ever before, we need new leadership and a changing of the guard in Oneida County. It’s timewe say goodbye to the politics of begging this governor for handouts, which places conditions on how and wherewe spendthismoney! Wedon’t need the partnership of Governor Cuomo and Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente to have an occasional crumb thrown our way during the election. It’s only cost us taxpayers money: Mobile Climate Control, Mid-Air, Premier-Air, MarcyTechnology and all the others — with his record in the private sector, the company CEO would be “FIRED” and sent packing! Why should we not expect the same outcome of our elected county executive?

The record is clear. We need to improve our infrastructure, reduce county spending, lower taxes and then — and only then — will the private sector begin investing in this county. After 13 years of attempting to growour business through governmental tax dollars (YOURdollars), it’s time for a new direction to turn the faucet on private sector growth!

To move us forward I ask for your vote! To join our efforts, feel free to contact us at 315-527-9663. — Michael J. Hennessy, Candidate

for Oneida County Executive