OSWEGO – John Gosek Jr. has been running a campaign without a major-party war chest. His party, called Oswego First, hopes to bring transparency to residents of Oswego.
Gosek Jr.’s campaign was funded by himself and his family. While it is objectively a handicap in today’s political climate, Gosek Jr. is proud not to have to be beholden to a major party’s whims.
Gosek Jr. feels that the interests of the people have been sidelined, with major party interests taking priority. While one of his opponents has been receiving endorsements from a congressman, Gosek said, “I don’t want the endorsement of a congressman or a senator, I want the endorsement of my neighbor.”
Local publications have been writing about the Republican candidate, Kevin Hill, and have even featured Democratic Lee Walker Jr, but have said nothing about Gosek Jr.’s campaign.
Many people may feel that the quality of life for the average person has been diminishing. On a national level, things like the government shutdown greatly affect the people and are simply ammunition for the major political parties to continue their mudslinging. With SNAP dangerously close to running out of funding, millions of people will be directly or indirectly affected, unable to feed themselves and their families.
Speaking on a local level, Oswego residents have been feeling the sting of major parties. “The quality of life has been compromised due to the reevaluation,” said Gosek Jr. “People can’t afford the necessities of life. I want to look out for the working-class people in Oswego. I joined the Republican Party because that’s what I thought they did, but not anymore.”
Transparency is something that Oswego First hopes to emphasize. Gosek Jr. feels that the re-evaluation process was not.
“People have realized that the major political parties have left them behind,” said Gosek Jr. “Now that the property values have been raised, people will have to pay higher taxes. People are paying more, but their incomes aren’t rising. The re-evaluation has affected many people that I know.”
Gosek Jr. feels like working-class people are being underrepresented, and that the Republican Party has lost its way. “I left because I was sick and tired of both parties,” said Gosek Jr. If you have been paying attention, it’s clear that the country is more polarized than ever. Left and right have gone from countrymen to sworn enemies.
An example of a lack of transparency was that recently, Oswego resident Scott Shannon spoke at Monday’s Common Council meeting. He and his wife recently moved back to Oswego, but discovered that National Grid had a planned transmission project that would significantly affect his property.
“I just can’t believe that the city would just allow National Grid to come into the city, and just take people’s property to make this project viable without fighting for the residents,” said Shannon, “National Grid intends to take over 60% of my front lawn, and 3 quarters of my driveway. They intend to remove my flag pole, which I’m proud of, and the oak trees on my property.”
Shannon and his wife have lived at the property for over 3 months, and said that no one was informed of the project, not even the realtor who sold them the property. Shannon reached out to the mayor’s office and was told that the “project was very big for the city of Oswego, and needs to happen. It’s a small price to pay to lose your property.”
Gosek Jr. is an educator and hopes that the county can address chronic absenteeism. “It’s nationwide, but someone has to take the bull by the horns. Maybe at the county level, there is a way to bring attention to the issue,” Gosek Jr. “You see, since COVID, there has been a huge spike in kids missing from school. They come in and try to make up work to pass, but there needs to be some accountability.”
Gosek Jr. argues the root problem in the United States is a lack of education. If elected, he hopes to begin working toward a solution at the county level.
George Washington’s warning to the American people was to beware of factions —AKA political parties —as they would lead to the decline of the United States. It is hard to argue that the warning hasn’t proven to be prophetic.
“They’re going to put their interest above the common interest, said Gosek Jr. “The admonishment is self-evident.”
Gosek Jr. is handing out a card with the following message door to door:
“To begin, let me thank you all for allowing me the pleasure of serving you as Fifth Ward Councilor for the past ten years. As someone who was raised and grew up in this ward, whose parents, grandparents, and great grandparents all also proudly resided in this ward, it has truly been an honor and a privilege to work alongside and represent you this past decade.
Unfortunately, due to term limits, I am unable to run again to continue to represent the City of Oswego’s Fifth Ward. However, since the passion and fire inside me to continue serving the residents of this ward and to see that the progress made in the past ten years continues, I have decided to run in your district (District 15) for a seat on the Oswego County Legislature.
Whether it was new parks, our revitalized water front, sewer separation, or road repairs… when the constituents have asked, I have taken great pride in helping to see these request become a reality. For me, staying home and not being a voice for you simply was not an option, and I look forward to doing so on an even broader platform as your District 15 Legislator.
As an extension of my aforementioned passion to see progress continue and for the residents of District 15 to be heard louder than ever, I have opted to not affilate with either of the major political parties in the upcoming November 5th election, but rather I am running on the Independent line. In alignment with my desire to see the Fifth Ward and District 15 resident’s needs met and voices heard. The Independent line I am running on is Oswego First.
Personally, I made this decision for many reasons, with the first being that allows me to operate and represent you, the people of Oswego, first. Running as an Independent also allows me to bring your concerns and needs to be the table without having to weigh in on the political interests of one party or another, as opposed to, what truly matters, the common interest of District 15 and Oswego County residents as a whole.
So, when you go out to vote on Tuesday, November 4, if you would do me the honor, let me represent you and all of District 15. Please look for the Independent line, Oswego First, on you ballot. Your vote and continued support would be greatly appreciated, and together we can continue to improve our ward, improve our district, and as the party line says, put Oswego First”
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