Assemblywoman writes two-page letter

This is the text of a letter composed by Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava in response to recent events in Albany.

The last two weeks in the state Capitol can compare to no other period of time for me in more than nine years of service in the state Assembly. Certainly there have been scandals before, but the degree of hypocrisy regarding the events of the last two weeks towers over scandals in the past. Regrettably, I have to admit that I was not totally shocked by these events, very disappointed, but not shocked. You see, I learned a few "rules" early in my legislative career: Rule No. 2 is "What goes on in Albany stays in Albany." (Rule No. 1 is mundane in comparison, but practical: Always park in your own parking spot.)

At this point, I am compelled to express my feelings about what has transpired. Furthermore, the silence from both good government groups and women's organizations strengthens my dismay. All newly elected men and women arrive in Albany with high expectations and good intentions. Unfortunately, some get caught up in a social life that is somewhere between "Girls & Boys Gone Wild" and a sorority-fraternity style mixer. While most of my colleagues are hard-working, honest representatives, the institution has become tainted by the actions of a few.

Last week we listened to, and participated in, the condemnation of Eliot Spitzer's actions. But some of the same people who most aggressively attacked Mr. Spitzer are now praising Gov. Paterson for "clearing the air." Perhaps I am feeling a bit cynical, but Gov. Paterson had to confront his past becausehis past was about to confront him.Perhaps a good offensive-vs.-defensive strategy was in play here?

The next topic of discussion at the Capitol included quotes such as "this was a personal matter" and should not impact Gov. Paterson's ability to govern. I agree with both parts of that statement. However, I also firmly believe that there are some people who want to keep certain aspects of this issue "a personal matter" because they are well aware of other doors that are best kept shut.

I fully anticipate subtle retribution for composing this article, but I can no longer stay silent. What angers me the most is that your elected officials have spent two weeks on these scandals. Two weeks at a time when our national and state economies are teetering on the brink and require serious adjustments. We spent time talking about trysts while the federal government took drastic measures to provide liquidity to financial institutions. Two weeks talking about who did what to whom as our nation becomes financially dependent on the very same countries we are dependent upon for our energy. We spent two weeks talking when we have a state budget due at the end of the month, a state budget that is facing slowing revenues and a growing deficit. But most importantly, we have spent two weeks caught up in sex scandals while hard-working north country families struggle to pay their heating bills, fill their cars with gasoline, put food on their tables, pay their property taxes and try to find health care.

In closing, I will say that I believe we have a governor who can lead this state and who can establish a plan that will energize our upstate economy. But it is time for him to act now and for the rest of us to do the people's work. Spring is officially here, and we need to let a little fresh air into the Capitol and get back to business. It is time to zip up the pants, pull up the pantyhose and tighten the belts (instead of counting notches). It is time to use every ounce of intellectual capital in Albany (of which there is a lot) and work on the problems at hand. The truth is the challenges we face require such dedicated attention and hard work that, at the end of the day, everybody should be too tired to even think about anything else. Perhaps there should be a new unwritten rule to add to the handbook: "Don't do anything in Albany that you wouldn't want printed on the front page of your hometown newspaper."