Opinion

As a local union representative for the last 20 years, I have had the fortune or misfortune of meeting and working with elected officials and candidates for all levels of government. Some of the elected officers I have met have worked harder for themselves or their political party than the people they represent. I can’t say that about Assemblyman Will Barclay.

Politics is deceitful, divisive and frightening, especially in today’s climate. Emotionally charged words and lies are being bantered around without regard for truthfulness. Misleading statements, inaccuracies, and downright lies are prevalent with certain politicians who should be addressing policies that are important to us.

This November 6, voters in New York have the chance to end corruption in Albany, once and for all. They have the chance to end the “pay to play” culture that is systemic in awarding public contracts. In order to do so, voters have to elect a truly independent candidate for Governor. That candidate is former Mayor of Syracuse, Stephanie Miner.

It is so sad that a decent man has been put through what has happened to Shawn Doyle.

To those of you who are not aware, I participated along with Shawn Doyle and Jim Maroney in trying to garner attention last summer to a 15-year-old boy that we had all become acquainted with. Maroney was the first to meet the teen and began counseling with him. He introduced the teen to Doyle for two reasons. The teen in question was looking for a summer job, and Maroney knew that the Rural and Migrant Ministry and the Half-Shire often hired local students to do yard work.

Cockroaches thrive in the dark. So do drug dealers and users. A ride around Fulton into the areas that have been mentioned as being infested with drug dealers and users I found darkness.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the North Country Cancer Services Program would like to remind your readers about getting screened for breast cancer and share some important information. About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her life. Breast cancer is most often found in women ages 50 and older.

Recently, I attended my first town hall meeting, where I heard Dana Balter speak about her election campaign to represent the 24th Congressional District, which covers four counties: Cayuga, Wayne, Onondaga, and parts of my county, Oswego. Attending the meeting was a big step for me, but I’m glad I went.

Castiglia noted: “A recent inquiry into petitions tuned in for a place on the ballot of a [Granby] town board seat. The inquiry revealed the fact that one of the candidates had turned in petitions with a plethora of illegal signatures. For those that are unaware of the signatures on a petition, the only legal signatures are those that are from residents of the area (town, city, district or county) that is going to be represented.”