Letters to the Editor: Six solutions for a thriving NY

Sept. 13 will define the future of our families and our State. Democrats can vote for a solutions-oriented team offering us a clear choice. Will it be business as usual, or, will the knowledgeable, engaged, progressive team I’m calling “The Progressive 6 for NY” be elected?

Cynthia Nixon for Governor, Jumaane Williams for Lieutenant Governor, and Zephyr Teachout for Attorney General have teamed up with three impressive local Democrats – Derek Osborne for Tompkins County Sheriff, Amanda Kirchgessner for the 58th State Senate seat, and Emily Adams for State Democratic Committee.

Upstate New York is longing for the kind of leadership that Nixon brings. Even though Cuomo invested over $25 billion attempting to revive the upstate economy, employment growth continues to be six times slower than downstate (Upstate = 2.7 percent; Downstate = 16 percent).

Too many New Yorkers are working two or even three low-wage, part-time jobs. This makes it hard to afford a safe home, adequate healthcare, reliable transportation, and healthy food. The Progressive 6 for NY have a plan that provides new, living-wage jobs with a green economy that includes moving to 100 percent renewal energy, the full legalization of marijuana, single-payer healthcare, reviving agriculture, eliminating cash bail and incarceration of nonviolent offenders, and rebuilding New York’s crumbling infrastructure. We all know this is the path to success, we need to put representatives in office that will actually do it!

To implement these necessary albeit bold changes, we must bring progressive leadership to all levels of State government. Derek Osborne is running for Tompkins County sheriff. Osborne has proposed sweeping changes including the creation of liaison officers specially trained to work with and serve marginalized communities who often experience discrimination and are typically underserved. With more than 20 years’ experience, Osborne vows to transform the department so that it represents Tompkins County’s residents including 50 percent of the officers being female. The LGBTQ+ community and communities of color have faced a 17 percent increase in public assaults according to the Human Rights Campaign. Osborne is dedicated to providing a well-trained, nonbiased team to respond to the needs of all Tompkins County residents equally.

Amanda Kirchgessner, seeking the Democratic nomination for State Senate in the 58th district, wants state incentives for clean energy jobs that pay a fair wage. So many young people are leaving upstate New York to find work. Amanda wants to make sure they have opportunities here while reducing the use of fossil fuels. Climate change mitigation is a fact of life – New York should embrace the opportunity to use new, green technologies to create jobs, grow the upstate economy, and reduce property taxes. Kirchgessner has that vision and she will work to make it a reality!

And, Emily Adams is seeking a seat on the New York State Democratic Committee. This committee needs to evolve and understand the needs of today. Emily is dedicated to creating a strong, inclusive Democratic Party for all of us.

Democrats, use your power on Sept. 13! Change is possible, but not without you!

Joanne Cipolla-Dennis