LTE – Red Privilege

I would like to address some of the fake outrage expressed by the Republican Oswego County Legislators involving the swearing in of a Legislator to fill the position of David Holst during the July County Legislature monthly meeting. Mr. Holst had recently passed away.

They seem to feel that the Democrats were not being team players by voting NO to place Mr. Holst’s wife, Patricia Holst, in his empty seat.

What they leave out is that the Democrats were never consulted or informed except for entries in the meeting agenda days before the meeting. An agenda that already had a resolution in the agenda, GC-4 Resolution Appointing an Individual to Fill a Vacancy in the Office Of County Legislator in and for the 4th Legislative District, and her name already on the desk before the meeting started.

So, were they expecting a thank you and a “Yes, Sir” when they were not involved or consulted on something this Republican controlled body was going to do with or without their cooperation?

The only thing worse that partisan politics is smug partisan politics. That’s “Red Privilege”, the feeling you have when you been in power so long no other opinions matter.

In the August meeting there was a resolution, IT-6 Resolution Approving the Department of Solid Waste 2027 Fee Schedule, that Legislator Taylor questioned as it was going to cause an additional burden on the City of Fulton due to its’ financial problems currently.

Without much discussion the Democrats all voted no, and all the Republicans voted yes. Not a big surprise, but you would think the 2 Republican Legislators that have constituents in Fulton might have voted against it in support of their constituents, but nope they voted with the majority party. It would have still passed, but they can’t deviate from the party line.

The Republican Legislators always talk about “We all want to get along”, but that’s true only if you vote with them.

It appears to me that the Democrats vote their conscience and duty to their constituents, The Republicans vote as they are directed. Sad!

Maybe this year with people having more choice for candidates than there has been in over 50 years the people will see they have a choice in who represents them and they will vote for representation and not the color of the party that has been saying every 2 years for over 50 years that they will fix everything they broke.

No matter what your party, register to vote and make your voice heard!

Thanks

Jim Cannon
Fulton, NY