Democrats, stand together

One of the great things that happened during the last campaign cycle was that the Democratic Party here in Sidney came out of hibernation. A big part of that, of course, was the excitement we all felt about having a strong candidate like Kirsten Gillibrand to challenge John Sweeney. And wasn’t it sweet to watch her surge to victory last November?

Now that we have a Democrat in Congress to represent our interests in Washington and to challenge the Bush administration about its wrong-headed policies, I don’t want Democrats in Sidney to go back into hiding.

There’s still plenty to do right here, right now, to make Sidney a better place to live and work. I invite you to stay in touch with the Sidney Democratic Committee as we start working to introduce some new ideas and a new vision for a vibrant, thriving Sidney in the future.

What do I mean?

How about discussing town power and renewable energy for Sidney?

How about an economic development initiative that supports our local small businesses instead of trying to lure in corporations with no roots in our community?

How about working to improve communications within our village and town government, so that a fiasco like those property assessments doesn’t happen again?

More than anything, we want to share our work with you, hear your ideas and concerns. So let’s make a commitment today to stay in touch.

The Sidney Democratic Committee is launching a monthly e-mail newsletter to keep you informed about what we’re doing, to invite you to participate, and to find out about the local issues that are most important to you.

If you’d like to find out more about the committee or to subscribe to the newsletter, feel free to visit our website at http://sidney.delawarecountydems.org/.

Let’s stand together and stand tall, proud to let the world know that we’re Democrats!

Dawn Rivers Baker
Sidney
Baker is chairwoman of the Sidney Democratic Committee.

Failed leadership seems to permeate our country today at every level. Sadly, an elected leader can ignore his advisers and get his way, whether or not his policy is sound or the majority of his constituents wants it. The legacy of a short-sighted policy places a miserable burden on future generations.

In this republic, it is our responsibility to speak out when a elected official does not act to represent the majority and discards expert advice. History has shown time and again that if we remain mute we will bear the negative consequences.

In Meredith, the overwhelming majority of citizens, a majority composed of locals and newcomers, doesn’t want industrial wind. If there were a referendum, industrial wind would surely be banned. However, the elected representatives on the Meredith Town Board seem more concerned about their own agenda than they are about their constituents’ concerns. Open debate is continually repressed. People are asked to trust what they are being told.

Recently, those representing the majority have begun to raise their voices. Yet those voices are demeaned by a noisy minority. Personal insults and petty theft of signs are meant to obscure the real issues.

Town Supervisor Frank Bachler has long-term status that helps insulate him from criticism. Yet as time goes, citizens are realizing the consequences of failed leadership, and they are losing their trust. Bachler is stonewalling. Sad.

Mr. Bachler, your legacy is at stake. It is not too late to change. Your view is that of the minority. It’s time to listen to the majority. It is time to step up and take responsibility and show respect for all the taxpayers and voters in Meredith, no matter where they come from, who their friends are, or what their political views are.

Robert Lidsky
Andes
Lidsky is a taxpayer in the town of Meredith.