Letters: We Shop Local, We Eat Local, Now VOTE LOCAL

After last November’s election, I had to put my frustration with national politics into local action. Among other things, I joined the Dryden and Tompkins County Democratic committees to learn more about our local government, and to help find and elect more qualified individuals to run for office. While we all need to be engaged in national politics, much of our lives are impacted by decisions made by elected officials in our local government.

Since joining these two committees, I’ve attended hearings and meetings, stuffed envelopes for mailings, I’ve walked door to door with petitions, and I’ve had discussions with my neighbors about local issues of concern. And on several occasions, I’ve brought one or two of my children with me to see what democracy looks like on the local level.

Throughout this process, I’ve listened to, and learned from our elected officials in Dryden, including Jason Leifer, Dan Lamb and Kathy Servoss. I’ve gotten to know these individuals as thoughtful, honest and hardworking public servants. They give me hope on a local level when the national discourse can seem so futile.
Don’t let politics on the national level discourage you from acting locally. Please join me and VOTE LOCAL on November 7th.

Ethan Ash
Dryden