As a father, business owner, taxpayer, and Democratic Committee Chair, here in Tusten, I feel compelled to express the concerns over the platform of the Republican candidate for supervisor. We need individuals in office that understand the financial environment, the tax base demographics, and who will work towards stabilizing the spending. We need individuals who respect the electoral process and will work with the elected officials the people have voted into office.

This Republican candidate has worked openly and destructively against any initiative put forth for the betterment of the town during the last 20 months. She has voted against lower spending, against having a sheriff substation, against beautification efforts, and against freezing board salaries in 2011. It seems like she does not attend the meetings when difficult topics need to be discussed, nor attend work sessions for the board. She may be anti-drilling to some, but "in favor of it, if it can be done safely" for others.

Fourteen budget sessions were needed to explain the financial activity of the town and still this year’s budget sessions have started off with the same lack of understanding. Most of her comments and questions appear to come from text messages from the deputy town clerk, our prior supervisor.

As a father, I also believe the school bus ride should not be the campaign tour.

We are a small community that needs to work together. Different points of view should be welcomed and discussion should be open and inviting. Think of what you hear when you listen. It shouldn’t matter if we are born here or moved here, we are the community.

We do not need dreamers who take half truths and run like Chicken Little through the streets. The sky isn’t falling: it is changing.

Patrick Harrison

Narrowsburg, NY

[Patrick Harrison is the husband of Peg Harrison, Democratic candidate for and incumbent Tusten town supervisor.]