Weighing in on the issues
Achievement is one we can do without
Like most Americans, I am appalled that we have recently witnessed multiple bombs sent to leading political figures, the killing of two black Americans in Kentucky and the murder of 11 Jewish worshippers at a Pittsburgh temple, all at the hands of evil men driven by racial and political hatred.
And I was struck by Michael Gerson’s column about “The corrosive poison of Trumpism,” Oct. 29, where he decries Trump’s use of “racial and ethnic hatred” to incite his followers and how this “provides permission for copycat prejudice.”
Gerson cites five congressional campaigns, including Rep. John Faso’s, as evidence of this copycat prejudice, based on the utterly racist ads Faso allies have run — ads Faso has not disavowed.
There are 435 congressional districts in America. For the 19th Congressional District to be one of five to earn mention by a national columnist is a remarkable achievement. Unfortunately, the mention is not for the district’s natural beauty, charming towns and villages, amazing history or the goodness of its people but for the vile racism of a political campaign.
Congratulations should go to Faso for bringing national attention to our Hudson Valley. Win or lose, he will always be remembered for this dubious achievement. specifically delegated that the mayor would function as the spokesperson and leader of the city government.
The second ballot question introduces a new idea to add two city council members who would not be administrators of a department. This seems to add members to the City Council who have no knowledge or access to information about the serious policy matters that affect our city.
Saratoga Springs voters, on Election Day, should vote “no” on the changes proposed to our city charter. that debt and investment in America’s infrastructure will be a burden on hard-working citizens, eroding the opportunity for families to improve their own financial position.
We deserve representatives in Congress who understand it is better policy to help working people build wealth for themselves than it is to rely on the wealthy to provide a secure future for those of us working honestly for each paycheck. I urge everyone to vote for the Democrats who will work hard to preserve what our families are working hard to build. try to roll back protections for pre-existing conditions. This election season we all should vote to protect our health care. We all should vote for Antonio Delgado, Paul Tonko, Tedra Cobb and Kirsten Gillibrand.
Saratoga well-served by Kelly’s commission
Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly has shown herself to be a real consensus builder by selecting her fellow City Council members and their deputies to be on her Charter Review Commission.
Their charge was to find “efficiencies and organizational improvements within the current form of government.” No one would better understand the problems engendered by the current charter’s requirements in running the city than the people who are in the trenches every day.
The council members also brought with them the legitimacy that they were leaders elected by the people of our city. Not all had supported the commission form of government in the past but all were committed to working cooperatively to make improvements in our current charter and all changes that will go to the voters were unanimously approved by all commission members.
Kelly’s commission has produced a thoughtful document with plenty of input from the public. The city was well-served by this commission and their work deserves approval by the voters by voting “yes” on ballot question No. 1 on Nov. 6. Ballot questions will appear on the back of the ballot.
Saratoga Springs