Scozzafava will fight for NNY residents

I am a local committee member of the Republican Party and a volunteer coordinator for Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava. Her selection was one of the most fair and open processes ever.

Assemblywoman Scozzafava is not the Working Family candidate or ACORN endorsed. Mr. Owens has the Working Families Party line in Tuesday's election. She sponsored legislation to remove ACORN funding from the state budget. In her 11 years in the Assembly, she has voted with the Republican Conference 95 percent of the time.

She ranks fifth out of the Republicans in Albany for voting along the party line. She would not support the health care package as it is proposed, she is supportive of tort reform, she favors opening state lines for competitive insurance, and she would oppose the cap-and-trade. On immigration reform she also stands against amnesty and for better regulations. She believes in less government spending and fewer taxes. She voted no on the 2009 state budget, which had the largest increase in spending, taxes and fees in state history.

I have known Assemblywoman Scozzafava for the 11 years I have served as village trustee and now as mayor. Not once have I considered Assemblywoman Scozzafava a career politician. She has spent countless hours fighting for residents of Northern New York, first as mayor of Gouverneur and as assemblywoman. She has provided our residents with exceptional services. She has always been there to assist the village of West Carthage with any issues at the state or local level.

On the many radio shows and commercials you are provided with some misinformation. Assemblywoman Scozzafava has worked very hard to bring money back to the north country from projects that have improved health care, brought new business opportunities and created jobs. Doug Hoffman's pledge not to accept earmark money worries me. Assemblywoman Scozzafava has made it very clear that there needs to be reform in the system and how money is distributed.

Until changes are made I want a representative who will bring money back to the district for projects that make improvements to the community. Many projects would not happen without this type of assistance.

So, I ask you to vote for issues that matter to the north country, issues that affect us close to home and not allow outside PACs and politicians with their own agenda influence our election. Please vote for Dede Scozzafava.

Scott Burto

West Carthage