Dad was first choice in Lewis District One

This is in response to a recent letter from Kelly Ritz concerning the Lewis County District One legislator's election. I am the daughter of candidate Gary Williams. I am a member of the Lewis County Republican Committee and the town of Diana Committee. I was at the meeting of the town of Diana and Croghan District 4 Committee, Mrs. Ritz was not.

Mrs. Ritz claimed that the town committee unanimously selected Mr. Hathway. That is nowhere near the truth. The first vote went as follows: Mr. Williams, 3; Mr. Hathway, 2; Mr. Pierce, 1; and Mr. Kempney, 1. Lewis County Chairman Sam Villanti then declared that he was going to have us revote under a system called ladders and allow only the top two candidates to be in the revote. The result was Mr. Hathway, 4, and Mr. Williams, 3, when Mr. Williams was the winner on the first round.

What we now know is that Jack Bush and some of his good old boys club already had decided they did not want Dad on the county board, because Dad is known as a stand-up person who will represent the north end of Lewis County and will not take his marching orders from the good old boys club. We now know where they had the meetings, who was there and what was said to decide for the voters of District One whom they (the old boys club) wanted to be the next legislator. Funny thing, if they were so smart, why didn't they properly investigate their candidate?

With my father's vast experience in both business and as a dedicated public servant, I ask the voters in Lewis County District One to vote for my Dad and not let the good old boys pick our next legislator. His game plan as a community leader is to help make our communities winners by working as an effective team member using his experience, vision, leadership and dedication to make northern Lewis County a better place to live and work.

Michelle LaPlatney

Harrisville