Editor’s Note: With early voting starting on Saturday, Oct. 24, any letters relating to political candidates following Thursday, Oct. 22, will not be published. Please submit any letters before that date this week.
TO THE EDITOR: It’s midterm election time and because the MAGA Republicans control both houses of Congress as well as the Presidency, this election is definitely about their leadership and lack thereof.
During Trump’s first term as president he made a TV theatrical performance in tearing up a well negotiated agreement the Obama Administration made with Iran years earlier with leadership from John Kerry, together with American nuclear scientists and military officials. Iran agreed never to have nuclear weapons, would always leave the Strait of Hormuz open, and would allow UN inspectors to assure Iran’s compliance with the agreement.
In return Iran would get less than two billion dollars in moneys collected by the U.S. as sanctions against Iran for illegal conduct. This agreement was signed by China and Russia as well as numerous other countries. Trump called this the “worst deal ever.”
About the same time his first appointed Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, formerly a CEO of Exxon Oil, allegedly called Trump a “moron” and retired.
Recently, Trump apparently ignored the advise of the Military Generals and started a War with Iran costing Americans over an estimated billion dollars a day.
Trumps unnecessary war, unnecessary tariffs, stock market manipulations, selling communication licenses and monopoly manipulations, selling Pardons and forgiving their punishment to pay restitution to the U.S. Treasury, not investigating homicides committed by ICE, denying due process to immigrants, separating children from their parents, threatening, ignoring and insulting District Court judges, firing federal employees in areas that protect Americans, including attorneys who won’t violate the law for Trump, all of which could have been stopped by a few good Republican senators and/or House representatives willing to work with Democrats.
What America can’t afford is Trump and his bootlicking MAGA Republican Congress and Cabinet, Destroying Our Government Egregiously (DOGE).
BILL RUSSELL
Keeseville
TO THE EDITOR: I recently retired as Clinton County administrator after serving our county for more than 25 years. I am writing to express my support for Franklin County resident Judge John Ellis for re-election as justice of the State Supreme Court, 4th Judicial District.
I have known John and his family since we were students at Siena College. While our careers took us down different paths, we remained close friends and eventually worked in the same building for more than 13 years.
Although John is from Tupper Lake, he has served as a Clinton County Supreme Court justice at a time when Clinton County did not have a seated Supreme Court justice. He has done an outstanding job serving Clinton County residents.
During my years at the Clinton County Government Center in Plattsburgh, I had the opportunity to observe Judge Ellis in the courtroom. I have always been impressed by the respect he shows everyone he encounters. He is fair, impartial and thoughtful, with an impressive intellect and knowledge of the law.
Judge Ellis brings experience throughout the 11 counties of the 4th Judicial District. Just as importantly, he possesses the temperament we expect from a judge. He listens, applies the law fairly, and treats everyone who appears before him with dignity and respect.
As a former county government leader, I know the North Country has unique challenges best understood by someone who lives and works in our region. Our residents, attorneys and litigants deserve a judge who understands our communities and is accessible to those he serves.
Judge Ellis has been there for Clinton County and the North Country. I am confident he will continue to serve the 4th Judicial District with distinction.
Please join me in re-electing my friend, Judge John Ellis.
MICHAEL ZURIO
Morrisonville
TO THE EDITOR: MAGA Anthony Constantino rallies in Syracuse with Trump while Blake Gendebien crisscrosses the North Country.
In the past few weeks, MAGA Anthony Constantino has made appearances — not in the NY-21 North Country district he is running in — but rather to venues outside of NY-21, such as Colonie, Albany, Canada, and yes, recently, Syracuse. In comparison, Blake Gendebien has been travelling the North Country, listening to the hardships of the residents.
In rallying with Trump in Syracuse, MAGA Anthony clearly has shown that he supports completely this administration’s failed policies. He has not shown that he cares about the day-to-day struggles of North Country residents who are desperate to keep the roofs over their heads and gas in their tanks.
Trump’s tariff policies, his trade war with Canada and his Iran War have made things worse for the North Country. The costs of diesel fuel and fertilizers are crippling farmers. The “Big Beautiful Bill” made huge cuts to Medicaid; and rural hospitals and nursing homes could close.
MAGA Anthony quips: About the high cost of gas: Just “Another hoax.” About the Iran War: “Sometimes you have to make an investment.”
Blake Gendebien does not support Trump’s destructive policies. He is a successful farmer. He knows the challenges of the North Country farmers because he has lived them. He knows how cruel cuts to Medicaid are because he listens to the people who have endured those cuts.
Blake Gendebien will truly help NY-21. MAGA Anthony will not.
MARY HYDE
Piseco
TO THE EDITOR: Showing up is the bare minimum we expect from anyone who wants our vote. In the race for NY-21, only one candidate met that standard.
Anthony Constantino accepted debate invitations: Blake Gendebien accepted none. That single fact tells North Country voters more than any television ad ever could.
Debates are how ordinary people get to judge candidates on equal footing. No scripts, no editing, no campaign staff smoothing over the rough edges. Just two people making their case in front of the voters who will decide between them. In a district as vast as ours, where most families will never meet a candidate face to face, that hour on stage is one of the few honest looks we get.
Gendebien decided we didn’t deserve it. He was content to let paid advertising do his talking and hope voters filled in the blanks. That’s a choice that says a lot about how he views the people he wants to represent. If he wouldn’t spend one evening answering to us while asking for our support, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be any more accountable once he has the job.
Constantino sees it differently. He’s spent his career taking responsibility for his decisions and created more than a thousand jobs by facing problems head on rather than avoiding them. He’s bringing that same approach to this race, and he was willing to stand behind his record.
The people of Upstate NY work hard and expect the same from those who represent us. Constantino did the work. Gendebien ducked it. On Election Day, I’m voting for Anthony Constantino: the candidate who showed up.
JAMES VANETTER
Altona
TO THE EDITOR: You hear it from the President and everywhere now, the “F” bombs are flying out of everyone’s mouth.
Watch Yellowstone, Succession, Lioness and almost anything else on cable. A whole new generation commonly uses that word and many other “swear words” in many contexts.
Kids and grandkids are not immune. It’s hard not to cuss when there is any issue no matter how small. While it may be offensive in public like on the street, at the airport, in schools and other places, you can’t get away from it. So I have a suggestion. You need to train yourself to use less offensive language. It really takes some time and effort but I want to be a good example to my kids and grandkids.
Try substituting cuss words and phrases with less offensive words.
For example, try substituting gosh darn it or dang it instead of God’s name in vain. I’m sure there are many other words and phrases you can substitute to be a better example for your family and in public.
Practice these two carefully, courtesy and civility when speaking to others and try substituting non swear words. You will feel better about yourself.
JOHN ROBINSON
Merrill
TO THE EDITOR: I urge the voters of Clinton County to support Jaime Douthat for Surrogate Court Judge in November.
I practiced law for over 30 years in this community and I know what kind of person is needed in that position: someone with not only legal experience, but also just as importantly, someone with patience, compassion, and understanding for people going through the death of a loved one, as well as important family matters like adoptions and guardianships. Jaime has shown herself to be a person with the very best character for overseeing these types of matters and will not change simply because she is sitting on the bench.
But the Surrogate Judge in Clinton County must also be someone with excellent knowledge and skills in criminal law. For over 20 years, Jaime has been a prosecutor, representing the people of Clinton County with skill, determination and perseverance.
Our choice is clear: vote for character and experience. Vote for Jaime Douthat.
MICHAEL D. MCCORMICK
Peru
TO THE EDITOR: The Town of Chesterfield supervisor and councilors have voted to leave a recently vacated board seat unfilled until November 2027, almost a year and a half away.
The town is supposed to have four councilors and a supervisor, with the reasoning being that it gives better representation of the public at large. Unless there is an emergency issue before the board, voting should always be a full quorum. Voting on critical issues with less than a full board can be construed as manipulating the agenda, which is not democratic.
Zoanne Schnell, who ran as a write-in candidate receiving significant voter support, would be eligible for this appointment. She has expressed her willingness to serve. One would think the supervisor and board would be delighted to welcome a motivated individual willing to contribute to the Town’s future.
Chesterfield has plenty of projects and community events requiring helping hands. Schnell is one of many who volunteer their time and energy to organize and support successful Keeseville events.
Town officials reportedly justified leaving the position vacant by pointing to past practice. But tradition alone is not a compelling reason to forgo an opportunity to bring new talent and perspectives into local government.
Filling this important board position is not about what is comfortable for the board, but what is best for the community. The Town of Chesterfield has never had a female member on the board.
Why not seize this opportunity to change that tradition along with the “past practices” of not filling a board vacancy and give Zoanne a seat at the table?
WALTER CHMURA
Keeseville