Flynn officially announces bid for St. Lawrence Legislature

"My friends, I would first like to thank all of you for attending. We are all aware of the significance of this day. One man had a dream that was contrary to the status quo of the times. His dream was to end racial segregation and inequality. He presented a dream in front of the Lincoln Memorial, that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” His dream was seen as impossible and many said it would never come true…

"Less than 50 years later, that dream became a reality. We stand here as citizens of the greatest nation in the world, and at the head of our table presides an African American president. Impossible dreams do come true… when we stand together.

"I have asked you here today, to join me in a dream for our future. I have a dream, that in St. Lawrence County, residents will no longer be forced to leave the county to find jobs. I have a dream that families will grow up with their children and grandchildren, without having to fly to another state just to see them. I have a dream that our residents will be able to stay in their St. Lawrence County homes and raise a family. Let us dream of living in a county that has an abundance of jobs available for both skilled laborers, and college graduates. Our dream, that St. Lawrence County will stop exporting her greatest resource, and our families will be able to stay in this great place we call home.

"It is because of this dream, that I stand before you here today, to announce my candidacy for the St. Lawrence County Legislature District 8. I recognize there is a certain presumptuousness - a certain audacity - to this announcement. I know there are concerns that I have not spent a lot of time in government. But I've lived here long enough to know that we need a change in our county. If you will share this dream with me, I have the skills and passion to make our dream, become a reality.

"That's what Dr. King understood. He had his doubts. He had his defeats. He had his setbacks. But through his will and his words, he moved a nation and helped give people equality. It is because of those that rallied to his cause, that we are no longer divided by color. It is because men and women of every race, from every walk of life, continued to march for freedom long after King was laid to rest, that today we have the chance to face the challenges of this millennium together, as one people - as Americans.

"Like Dr. King's dream, dreams are not easy to accomplish. They will require many difficult decisions to be made by our County Legislature. The Legislature, now more than ever, needs to hold the line and cut spending. In order to bring jobs to the county, it is necessary to create an environment conducive to the expansion and development, of both business and industry.

"New Yorkers are facing difficult times during the current economic downturn, and no place is this truth more evident than here in St. Lawrence County. The burden of taxes are felt by all residents. During the fiscal year between 2009 and 2010, St. Lawrence County property tax revenue increased almost $3 million, and some were still discussing a sales tax increase to generate more revenue. As a conservative Republican, the last thing I want to do is make finically irresponsible decisions that will increase the tax burden being placed on those that chose to call St. Lawrence County home. As previously stated by the Real Property Department, If we continue to increasingly pump water from the well of prosperity, make no mistakes about it, the well will run dry.

"As legislator, I will be your voice of reason. I will be the voice heard across this County; the voice that says, when no one else will 'no more tax increases.'"

"My friends, I would again like to thank you for joining me in this special moment. The road ahead will be tough, but the alternatives are that we accept the status quo and accept things as they are now. We've all heard talk about change; as a man of my word I promise to all of you here today. That as legislator I will work to bring change, that everyone in this great county, can believe in."

"Thank you, and may the Grace of God be on us all here today."