Massena event gets political

MASSENA — There were all of the elements of a Massena Labor Day: a bustling Solidarity Day parade, hundreds of marching unionized employees and retirees, free hamburgers and beverages at the Springs Park picnic and recollections of times gone by.

But don't forget about the politicians.

Elected officials and political candidates were out in full force Monday in Massena, shaking hands and talking with local labor leaders and residents to try to build support for their campaigns. The event also gave Massena residents a chance to meet with some candidates and officials for the first time.

Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, was there, as was every state legislator representing the region and a host of other candidates vying to be elected.

Mr. Owens said he listened to many local residents this Labor Day about unemployment concerns.

"Obviously, what people are concerned about is jobs," he said.

State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, said returning to the parade for a fifth year has helped sensitize him to issues of unemployment and labor in Massena, which is at the other end of his district, which stretches to Utica.

There was a spirit of resiliency in this year's Labor Day festivities, despite the economic setbacks Massena has endured, Sen. Griffo said.

"People here have not lost confidence and not lost faith and continue to believe in the community and work hard to overcome these challenges," he said.

State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, said coming to the parade every year familiarizes him more with organized labor and industry, as he spent 35 years as a dairy farmer before running for office.

"For me, it's been a very good experience to help me understand the difference between what goes on in agriculture and what goes on in organized labor, in a very positive way," he said.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said the tone of this year's parade was much more upbeat than last year's, which was held only months after the closing of the General Motors Powertrain plant.

"This year, you see a little bit more optimism. The economy is turning around a little bit," she said. "This gives you the continued strength to keep going and keep fighting, because they're all resilient, they're all here."

Attending the parade helps her to keep informed on what's important to Massena residents, she said.