Re-Elect George Ritchie And This Is Why

by Contributor | November 3, 2017 6:46 am

To The Editor:

My name is Gary D. Thompson, Hannibal Town Councilman.

I have had the pleasure of working alongside George Ritchie, Hannibal Highway Superintendent, for the past two years as a councilman and as the liaison between the Highway department and the town board.

The town has accomplished so much in the past two years that included an enormous number of new projects, work done and the ability to purchase new equipment and vehicles with cash without the need of bonding.

The town of Hannibal is financially in its best shape in years and residents will have enjoyed back to back historic town tax cuts. A 10% tax cut last year and a 10% cut this year.

These results are a result of George Ritchie’s passionate approach to the town and the taxpayers.

George Ritchie a lifelong resident of Hannibal that is up for re-election this year.

Although the Superintendent of Highways position requires no physical labor or any set number of hours, George chose to be a working superintendent.

I have witnessed George over the last 22 months put in 8-16 hours almost daily.

I firmly believe if we pay someone almost $50,000 a year that person should grab a shovel and jump in the ditch with the crew.

George is endorsed by the Oswego County Conservative committee and for the first time ever in Hannibal, the town supervisor and village mayor publicly endorsed the incumbent highway superintendent.

This speaks volumes of George.

I have attended many training’s with George most recently Oswego County Emergency Management training’s. As our area was battered by two unusual storms, it was George Ritchie’s training and skills that put him on the scene in the matter of minutes after the storms and cleanup was fast and efficient.

George Ritchie has the skills and training to respond in any kind of emergency which is critical to all residents of this town.

George Ritchie has used creative budgeting and tough negotiations with vendors to cut spending and produce tax cuts and getting more results than ever before.

In each of the last two budget years, George has had an unexpended fund balance carryover of more than $400,000. The cost of doing business at the highway department is much lower than before, therefore causing our taxes to decrease.

There have been issues addressed that have been on the back burner for years some even decades. For example, the Mill Street dam area has had a complete remodel and the area is no longer a park filled with overgrowth and other signs of neglect. Dirt roads are being paved and draining issues in the village have been resolved.

George has gone above and beyond for the taxpayers in Hannibal.

He has brought integrity and a positive culture to the highway department.

As liaison since January 2017, I have received no complaints from neither the workers nor superintendent himself.

Let’s continue forward progress and success with George Ritchie.

Sincerely,
Gary Thompson
Hannibal Town Councilman

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/re-elect-george-ritchie-and-this-is-why/

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