Hoffman pledge would hurt NNY businesses

As a small-business owner, I write to express my concern with the Times article "Hoffman swears off all earmarks" and urge your support for Dede Scozzafava to replace Rep. John McHugh and represent the 23rd Congressional District.

Candidate Doug Hoffman has signed a "No pork pledge" with a political action committee known as The Council For Citizens Against Government Waste. In short, Mr. Hoffman has promised to turn down any "earmarked" government funds for district-specific projects.

Federal funding of Fort Drum projects has infused millions of dollars into our local economy amidst the greatest economic recession of our times. My company has been awarded, on a competitive-bid basis, approximately $9 million in work for fiscal year 2009 and has generated steady employment for at least 60 Empire Northeast employees.

I find Mr. Hoffman's unfettered support of this cause to be alarming for the small-business climate of Upstate New York. As the article pointed out, these funds have resulted in "a total of $114 million in construction at Fort Drum — including weapons training facilities, improvements at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield and a family support center."

I agree there is no place for government funding of frivolous projects, but the term "earmark" or "pork-barrel spending" is mischaracterized here to score political points. Simply refusing to accept earmarked funds will not save the government or taxpayers a penny.

While these funds are not a guarantee of economic prosperity, their absence would cripple area small businesses, including construction contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and their employees. Should these funds disappear, I would be forced to ask Mr. Hoffman, "As a small employer who pays $750,000 in federal payroll taxes per year, why are my employees not reaping any tax benefits?"

I have no doubt that Dede Scozzafava will continue to fight for area businesses. During her 11 years in the state Assembly and six years as mayor of Gouverneur, I have come to admire and respect her devotion to her constituents. She's honest, hard-working and dedicated to not only keeping jobs in Northern New York, but to helping grow our economy.

I remain deeply concerned about the prospects of this election and how the uninformed actions of one candidate threaten all of us. I urge your support of Dede Scozzafava when you visit the polls Tuesday.

Andrew J. Leonard

Gouverneur

The writer is president of Empire Northeast Inc.