DA endorsements tell a story

District Attorney (DA) Tonkin has repeatedly boasted of a 97% conviction rate. However, statistics submitted by the Pike County Courts to the PA Unified Judicial System show that “his” conviction rate in 2013 (most recent year available) was 73%—right in the middle of all other like-sized Class VI counties. No bragging rights there.

But, a DA can’t win a case without first receiving a strong, well-investigated case from law enforcement. It is very telling that our local and state law enforcement officers have outright rejected Tonkin’s bid for re-election with their enthusiastic endorsement of his opponent, Kelly Gaughan. My dad served as DA in Crawford County, PA for eight years before becoming the president judge of common pleas. As DA, he relied upon a strong working relationship with the state and local police. It wasn’t unusual to have a trooper sharing coffee with Dad at our kitchen table. He told me that he could not do his job as DA without them. He once took me to the local state police barracks to meet the men and women with whom he worked. Even at the young age of 10, I could see that the officers respected and admired my father, and that he, too, respected them.

The truth of the quality of his relationship with law enforcement was born out years later at my father’s memorial service when many of those officers, most now retired, shook my hand warmly and spoke earnestly of their admiration for my dad. As we consider our choices for DA, we should pay attention to the important nuance of law enforcement’s rejection of DA Tonkin with whom they’ve been working for eight years.

Carrie Thomas

Shohola, PA

Gieger speaks up for Vetter, Rajsz

Over the last four years, Legislator Kitty Vetter has worked hard to move forward many reforms in county government. I have come to respect her willingness to reach out, in a bipartisan manner, to address the tough issues and provide accountability of our tax dollars.

Kitty Vetter has represented the people of Sullivan County well.

A vote to re-elect Kitty Vetter for Sullivan County Legislator for district 3 on November 3 is a vote for bipartisanship, open and accountable government and a change in business as usual.

I also encourage you to vote for Nadia Radjz our next Sullivan County Legislator for district 2. Nadia is clearly the right choice for Sullivan County Legislator. Fiscal responsibility, honesty and a proven bipartisan leader is what our county needs.

This Election Day, vote for change that will count.

Vote for Nadia Radjz for Sullivan County Legislator, fiscally responsible, honest and a proven bipartisan leader. Nadia Radjz—a vote for change.

Cincy Gieger

Jeffersonville, NY

[Cindy Gieger is the current incumbent of the Sullivan County Legislature seat for district 5.]

Harrison for coroner

It is rare that I write to endorse a candidate, but I felt strongly enough in this instance to do so. I have known Patrick Harrison since he moved into Tusten some years back and purchased Rassmussen’s Funeral Home. He has shown himself to be a compassionate person, a professional in every way, and a credit to our community. In handling the funeral arrangement for members of our family, he has been caring and comforting to all of us. He possesses all of the characteristics that will make him an outstanding coroner for Sullivan County.

Rose Prendergast

Narrowsburg, NY

A candidate who knows our concerns

All of us want to elect people for local and national government positions who will represent us, speak for us and address our concerns. How do politicians find out what the concerns are of their constituents? Isaac Green Diebboll, who is running for county legislature in district 5, is making a valiant effort to knock on every door in district 5 and listen.

If you live in district 5 and Isaac has not been to your door yet, you can look forward to meeting an honest, hardworking, fair and earnest young man. If you have met Isaac already, as many of you have, there is probably no need to say more. In district 5, we have a chance to elect someone who will speak for us because he knows our concerns, he is listening to us, and he is ready to act for us. On November 3, vote Isaac Green Diebboll for county legislature in district 5 and have your voice heard.

Zeke and Ginny Boyle

Callicoon, NY

Support Ed Grund

I urge you to support Ed Grund for Town of Cochecton councilman.

Ed has been a resident of Cochecton for over 60 years. He attends all the town board meetings and events that go along with being a board member. But he also volunteers to help out in the community. He takes time to find information requested about things he doesn’t readily have answers to. He helps people in need, often without being asked, and lends an ear to those who just need someone to talk to.

Ed was litter plucking in his neighborhood well before it became a community event, and still participates in litter pluck at town dump day.

Ed helped the Cochecton Ambulance Corps with the construction of the park, by laying down the walks, and has helped with the plantings and participated in clean-up.

Ed has served over six years on the town board and is currently deputy supervisor. He is president of the Cochecton Republican Club and chairman of the Cochecton Republican Party.

Being a long-time dairy farmer, Ed served as president of the Farm Bureau for four years, seeing it as a way to help and promote local farming of all kinds.

Ed has been deeply involved with our town’s youth. He coached Missy Softball for six years and sat on its board. He also dedicates countless hours to the Cochecton Youth Commission, attending monthly youth commission meetings and volunteering his time to work at youth fundraisers. Ed not only attends, but also gives a helping hand at many of the youth events we have in our town. Several times he has volunteered to help at youth group sign-ups when the youth commission didn’t have enough manpower. As a member of the Cochecton Youth Commission I am asking you to support the candidate, Ed Grund, who supports your children.

Sue Rodriguez

Cochecton, NY

The skills to run a government

I’ve watched my brother Chuck Petersheim’s last decade in Sullivan County with admiration and fascination. Starting in 2002 with a one-room, 300-square-foot shack in Cochecton, with no indoor plumbing, I’ve seen him shepherd his life and business into a remarkable journey of vision, persistence, fortitude and single-mindedness. I am continually awed and proud to watch the growth of Catskill Farms from an idea to a four-county, nationally-recognized design and building company.

I can imagine how these same skills are pertinent to successfully run a small town government.

Cynyth Petersheim

Philadelphia PA

Petersheim: a positive change

I have lived in the town of Highland since 1947, first as a vacationer and later a permanent home owner. I’m truly excited by the candidacy of Mr. Petersheim. He’s not a yes man; he’s not easily fooled by town board misdirection and mumbo-jumbo; he is an independent thinker and a person who I am confident will represent Highland well on the local level, county level and the state level.

This election is probably the most important one in the history of the Town of Highland. Let’s make Highland a place that we are proud to live in again. We need a positive change, and Charles Petersheim is the one to lead us there.

David Greenberger

Yulan, NY

A failure to understand other viewpoints

Like others who have written, I too am impressed with Chuck Petersheim, but not in a way that will please him. I am impressed with his vitriolic and sometimes anonymous attacks on those who disagree with him. I am impressed with his ability to repeatedly imply, on very shaky grounds, that officials are acting unethically or illegally. I am impressed that he sees conspiracy behind every opponent and that he portrays himself alternately as victor or victim. I am impressed that he is shocked by people’s behavior when he himself has written most of the inflammatory words. I am impressed that he seems to think he has great public support when he does not. Finally, I am impressed that he wants my vote to be Town of Highland Supervisor even though he seems incapable of understanding any viewpoint but his own.

Though he is very good at composing fliers and postcards, Chuck can’t have learned much about getting along with people from his college education, his experience as a businessman, or his knowledge of handling budgets. In a small community, most of us know and work respectfully together even when we have disagreements about specific issues. Chuck clearly believes that living in a small town is a battle between the “good guys” (him) and the “bad guys” (almost everyone else). If you doubt me, read his blog. In it, his own words and his love of retaliation disqualify him from being Supervisor of the Town of Highland.

Walter “Bo” Stevens

Eldred, NY

Merolla: in the community’s best interests

I am writing in support of Brandi Merolla’s candidacy for Tusten Town Council. I have known Brandi for eight years and have served with her on the Weiden Lake Property Owners Association (WLPOA) Board of Directors for seven years. She is currently an elected officer of that board and assistant treasurer, and in the past has served as treasurer and participated on several committees.

I have found that Brandi’s sole motivation in serving on the WLPOA board is to find ways of making the WLPOA community more sustainable, thereby benefiting all its members.

Based on Brandi’s service on the WLPOA board and her Tusten community service to date, I have no doubt that as a Town of Tusten board member she will act in the best interest of the entire Tusten community, and urge you to vote for Brandi Merolla for Tusten Town Council.

Richard J. Marcel

President, WLPOA Board of Directors

Narrowsburg, NY

In support of Merolla

I am writing in support of Brandi Merolla for Tusten Town Council. Brandi has a proven commitment to our community and all who live here.

For the past seven years she has served on the board of the Weiden Lake Property Owners Association as assistant treasurer, demonstrating the ability to work with others that is so sorely needed on the Tusten Town Council, as well as the responsible attitude to finance that we look for in our representatives. She was appointed by the Tusten Town Council to chair the Tusten Energy Committee, a position she has held for the past four years. In that capacity she has sought to reduce both our carbon footprint and our tax burden by reducing the town electricity bill. In addition she has for many years worked as a volunteer with both the Tusten Cochecton Library and the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.

Brandi, who has lived in the area for over a quarter of a century, believes in the right of all residents to be fairly represented on the Town Council. She aims to work to heal the divisiveness that has troubled our town politics and find solutions that will foster the health and wealth of us all.

Francis Cape

Chair, Tusten Democrats

Narrowsburg, NY

Merolla for a brighter future

I am writing to recommend Brandi Merolla for The Tusten Town Council. I have known Brandi for quite some time and she continues to impress me with her tireless work ethic. Brandi is a member of the Weiden Lake Property Owners Association Board of Directors where she has had the responsibilities of treasurer and assistant treasurer. She has also sat on various committees within our association and her input has been both valuable and insightful. Brandi takes the responsibility of an assignment very seriously and has always been diligent in exploring every last detail.

Brandi Merolla does in fact have a personal agenda and it’s quite simple: The betterment of our community, protection of our natural resources and a true interest in progressive, transparent, fiscally responsible government. A vote for Brandi Merolla is a vote for a brighter Tusten for everyone.

John C. Fischer

Vice president, Weiden Lake Property Owners Association

Narrowsburg, NY