‘Facts and evidence, not party politics’

Too many people are dissatisfied with our current state representatives. I am a forester and a scientist who will bring facts and evidence-based gathering and review to decision-making, not party politics. We feel the chaos that sprang from rash, political opposition to public health guidelines and directives during this COVID-19 crisis. We are in peril, and now is the time to act as a community of people concerned about each other.

For decades, I’ve protected our natural resources while providing “goods from the woods.” Now, we are challenged by multiple crises such as COVID-19 and climate change. My experiences and moral compass are well-honed to listen to constituents then find common ground so our communities can grow, be resilient and thrive.

My top legislative priority is to support the fracking ban in the Delaware River Basin. We live here and steward the most beautiful rivers, waterfalls, lakes and mountains in the country. Fracking would break up our landscapes and disrupt and pollute the natural beauty, clean air and pristine waters that form our livelihood and sense of place. Alarmingly, the GOP-led legislature has an abysmal record of protecting the environment such as HB 1822 that froze funding to our local Conservation Districts and SB 790 that would’ve allowed spraying toxic fracking waste onto our roads. Our drinking and recreational waters, waterfalls, and forests that we enjoy for inspiration, hiking and hunting are too precious to trust to those who are reckless with our lives and environment.

I moved to northeast Pennsylvania 17 years ago, and would be honored to represent you in the Pennsylvania Legislature. 2020 has been a year for the history books. This year, we also celebrate 100 years of Woman’s Suffrage, and the area is the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot who was the first Chief Forester for our country (Grey Towers in Milford, PA). Consider the historical and cultural significance of electing the first woman and forester to fill this seat! This is my first of four letters prior to Election Day and I look forward to discoursing about other issues that matter to people of the 139th.

Marian Keegan
Rowland, PA

In enthusiastic support of reelecting Jen Metzger

I am writing to enthusiastically support the reelection of my state senator, Jen Metzger. I have been following the work Metzger has done over the last two years. She has been best known for her focus on the environment, reproductive rights, lowering burdensome property taxes and criminal justice reform.

Jen Metzger has been a tireless advocate of and leader in the fight to bring about meaningful campaign finance reform and increase transparency in government. She is one of the only state senators in NY who does not accept a single penny of corporate or lobbyist money and she has sponsored a bill that would ban political fundraisers in Albany while the legislature is in session. This closes a major source of corrupt special interest dollars flowing to politicians.

Metzger believes that New Yorkers are better served when laws are not made through the budget process but through the regular legislative process. This means more transparency from our lawmakers. Her “Clean Budget Bill” (S8212) will accomplish this needed reform.

Metzger is fighting corruption in government. She sponsors legislation that would reform New York’s government ethics investigative body (JCOPE) by making it truly independent and give it real teeth.

Metzger also introduced S6163, which passed almost unanimously and expanded voting hours from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. for the primaries. Those hours were standard downstate but here, in upstate NY, primary voting had ended at 6 p.m. Upstate voters deserve the same voting rights as downstate voters.

Metzger has been a breath of fresh air brought to the stale environment of the NYS Senate. Her election helped flip that body blue which has resulted in the passage of many laws that truly benefit the “little guy and gal.”

We can’t go backward. Metzger’s opponent is a multi-millionaire Trumpist who is self-funding a very negative fear-based campaign against her. His election would likely result in a Republican rollback of important government reform laws passed this session and increase the power of special interests. Don’t let that happen! Vote for Jen Metzger for State Senate on November 3!

Tom Kruglinski
Gardiner, NY

Where is Frank Capra when you need him?

“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “State of the Union,” Jimmy Stewart, Spencer Tracy—if you remember them, you remember the “good old days” when Hollywood portrayed the honest, young man with starry eyes who became a politician to do good and was shocked by, and stood up to, money in politics. Money and politics still fester as issues today. Now we need a biopic of Jen Metzger, a real-life Jimmy Stewart.

Sen. Jen Metzger is working to get money out of politics. She introduced a bill in the New York State Senate to ban all corporate campaign contributions (S1013A). She introduced the “Clean Budget Bill” (S8212) to get budget politics out of the process of legislating. And she co-sponsored legislation to create an independent ethics commission that holds corrupt politicians accountable for their crimes.

Best of all, Metzger walks the walk. She doesn’t take a single cent from corporations or lobbyists. All of the money she accepts is from her constituents.

Reelect her. She is a truly a good one.

Kathryn Adorney
Gardiner, NY