The Face of Partisan Politics

by Contributor | December 7, 2025 3:49 pm

Friends, neighbors, fellow constituents, let’s talk about what happened on December 1st at the Public Safety Committee.

 

The E911 department came forward with a simple, urgent plea: upgrades to their facilities and equipment. These are not optional extras. These are the people who answer our calls when seconds matter. They are the lifeline between crisis and survival. And yet, when they asked for help, the committee approved only the portions already covered by outside funds or maintenance contracts. The rest was tabled. Put off to “determine what is really needed”.

 

Why? Because one member said money is tight.

 

But here’s the contradiction: if money is so tight, how do they justify giving the Sheriff and others a 21 percent pay increase over three years? How do they justify giving themselves a raise — three percent, year after year, ten years in a row? They tell E911, “Sorry, we can’t afford it.” But they never tell themselves that. They never tell the Sheriff that. They never tell the insiders who benefit from their decisions.

 

Let’s be honest. The Republican majority in the County Legislature got us here. They stayed silent when the Big BS Bill passed. They closed their eyes to the cuts that hurt their constituents. And now they dare to claim poverty when it comes to public safety? That is hypocrisy. That is disgrace.

 

They cannot keep treating themselves as royalty while treating the people who protect us as expendable. They cannot keep increasing your salaries while telling the rest of us to tighten our belts.

 

And here’s the truth: the voters saw it this year and will act on it again in 2026. The voters feel it. And the voters will remember it. Next November, every single one of their seats are on the ballot. Every single one. And the people will have their say.

 

So, hear this: we demand accountability. We demand fairness. We demand that they stop putting themselves first and start putting public safety first. Because when the call comes in at 2 a.m., it won’t be their pay raise that saves a life. It will be E911.

 

Stand with first responders. Stand with us. Or stand aside.

 

 

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/the-face-of-partisan-politics/

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