WHY DO ELECTIONS MATTER?

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Why do the local elections matter?

There are important issues facing our town and county that effect our daily lives. Like all towns, there are limits to what is controlled at the local level: a few of the most important areas governed locally are road budgeting, maintenance and safety, land use laws and their implementation, and appointments to important local positions, like the tax assessor and local attorney. Remember the "process" that was used to appoint the judge vacancy caused by Cheryl Robert's resignation? We deserve an open, fair process for all such appointments, and an even-handed application of our local laws. Importantly, the town supervisor also represents Austerlitz at the County level, and that affects another whole list of public services like the location of the Department of Social Services, and whether to expand the county airport.

Beyond what can be done locally is a question of:

What should be done locally?

We need a more vibrant local economy with more promotion of local businesses and craftsmen, improved safety for our firehouse and court infrastructure, better roads and more a pro-active plan and execution from our elected officials. Candidates running on the Democratic slate will work hard to promote growth in our local economy, to preserve our bucolic community while preserving individual rights, and to ensure that our safety, court, roads and governing process are to the highest practical standards, to benefit all of the people of Austerlitz. We need a Town Board that works as hard as possible for you, seeking all available funds and grants from various other levels of government.

Is our current Board reflective of a fair and balanced view of our issues?

There is only one party currently represented on our Town Board. Is this reflective of all of our constituencies? We need alternative voices on the Town Board to help solve the many issues facing our Town.

Why is the town justice position important?

And why does it need to be non-partisan? Very often, the local town justice is our most direct contact with a local elected legal official. Everyone deserves to be heard and to get a fair shake when dealing with the legal system and the town justice. That is why a non-partisan, experienced lawyer and judge is so important. Justice from the federal level right down to the local level is basically the same: it needs to be applied in a fair and even-handed way to protect individuals and our community.

Please remember to cast your votes on November 5th for our well qualified, energetic and independent minded candidates on Line A: Rob Lagonia for Town Supervisor, Greg Vogler for Town Board, and Sharon Grubin for Town Justice. Vote Line "A" all the way for Austerlitz.

Your Austerlitz Democratic Committee.