Hometown candidates

To the editor:

Driving around lately it’s hard to miss that there’s an election coming up. Though this time around things are a little different — rather than looking at two unfamiliar names, we see lawn after lawn prominently displaying signs for the hometown candidate, our own Tom Quackenbush.

The neatly set out signs on well-cared-for lawns speak to the pride with which “upcounty” is putting its best foot forward. People are getting behind Supervisor Quackenbush in a big way as he runs for the New York State Assembly’s 111th District. Me being a child of the 80’s it’s also an unfamiliar feeling, in that I don’t remember when we last had a ‘local’ representing us at the state level. Someone approachable, that you trust, a person that lives down the street or up the hill perhaps.

Now please recognize that this letter represents only my personal opinions. To me the thought of “politician” had come to hold a lot of negative connotations, not the least of which are remote and removed. But over the last year I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Tom Quackenbush better. He’s the big brother of a good friend of mine and reached out to help on some projects I’d been working on. He made me realize that there are still principled, ‘straight-shooters’ in politics out there. It also made me want to dig deeper to figure out when the last time our area had such a prominent voice in regional politics.

I remember reading Richard Hency’s wonderful tales of days past in the CSE as a teenager. His stories of Webster Wagner for one were inspiring. Wagner was a businessman, inventor, entrepreneur, Assemblyman, then Senator, who most of my generation would be hard pressed to identify. Sad considering his great accomplishments in the development of the sleeping rail car, in business, and the lasting mark he left on the area.

Those memories and a recent conversation with a childhood friend of my father’s made me wonder...what other politicians have come from western Montgomery County? I began calling the experts, County Historian Kelly Yacobucci Farquhar and Village of Fort Plain Historian Eileen Chambers, to see what they could add to the picture. I was pleased to find that there was quite a list of principled men, some I had heard of, some I had not. All carried the torch for our end of the county long before Tom’s time, leaving institutions and resources behind that still benefit us today.

Unfortunately, some I couldn’t find much information on such as RJ Shaver, assemblyman from Canajoharie in the 1930’s, for others like John Bennison, assemblyman from Fort Plain 1941 to 1950, there is more out there. Many notables like John H. Starin, of Fultonville would be forgotten were it not for the likes of Karen Chaplin and the Fort Royal Foundation, who are lovingly restoring his former estate. He was a US Congressman, friend and confidant to Presidents Arthur and Grant, and the latter was a regular visitor to his home.

There is not enough room here to recount all I’ve been able to find about these civic leaders from our end of the county, but I would suggest each of you take some time to explore their stories at our local museums, historical societies, and archives. In addition remember that honorable men like these that are willing to fight hard for their constituents without answering to big money or national political machines are not only a thing of the past. In fact they may be living right down the street or up the hill from you or I!

Tolga Morawski,

Fort Plain

I back Quack

To the editor:

I’m writing in response to the negative commercials, letters and mailings regarding the Republican candidate for the 111th Assembly District, Tom Quackenbush, from Fort Plain, N.Y.

Mr. Quackenbush has been accused of giving himself a raise while serving as the mayor of Fort Plain. You need board approval for this to happen.

He has 17 years experience in the political field, serving as an Assessor, Mayor, Town Supervisor and twice Chairman for the County (Montgomery) Board of Supervisors.

I realize no one is perfect, but Tom Quackenbush is a decent, trustworthy, loyal and caring person.

He’s a mature, dependable and hardworking person. He’s a motivated and experienced individual. Not only is he intelligent, he’s committed to do what’s best for the people.

He’s concerned about the people who’ve lost their jobs and homes. He wants to create jobs and job retention as well as mandate relief and property tax reform.

He’s mindful of the issues facing N.Y. State, our country and community. He wants to reform the welfare system. He’s in favor of shared services and consolidation. We need to eliminate the “double dipping” and duplication of services.

Our government is out of control. We need Tom in office. Tom will fight for the rights of the hard working taxpayers who are being taxed to death. We need change.

Mr. Quackenbush has a huge heart. He has supported and organized a run (marathon) and benefit (for the Jennings family). Kathy, who lost her life, with breast cancer. He raised an enormous amount of money for the “Hole in the Wall” organization. He also participates yearly in the memory walk in honor of Dustin Watson. He’s a strong supporter of the Armed Forces and all Veterans.

We need a person like Tom Quackenbush to fight for our rights and be our voice in upstate N.Y.

I believe in Tom Quackenbush and have faith that he will make the right decisions to help with the difficult times we’re all facing.

I’m proud to say I know Tom Quackenbush. He’s been a great leader and has the knowledge to continue his path in government. He has hundreds of workers, supporters, and friends helping him regardless of their party. Tom wants to work together regardless of their political party to achieve the goals so necessary in strengthening the economy and the issues he’s committed himself to change.

I believe Mr. Quackenbush is the better person for the job.

Please vote November 6th and support Tom Quackenbush.

I “Back Quack.”

Betty Sanders,

Palatine Bridge