Elect Gravelin as town councilman
On Election Day this November, please vote for Scott Gravelin for Oneonta town councilman. Scott is a lifelong resident of the town of Oneonta and currently operates his small business here. The residents of the town of Oneonta can be certain that Scott will be a listening ear to the people and try to make choices that will reflect the sentiment of our town. As a resident and business owner, Scott can see how decisions will affect all sectors of the community.
Scott Gravelin is a registered Republican and is running on the Republican ticket. For Scott, being a Republican means that he believes in small government, especially on the local level, along with free enterprise and the non-burdening of small businesses. Mr. Gravelin believes that the town will be better able to create jobs and flourish when there is minimum interference from small-town government in the private sector.
Scott Gravelin is a former member of the Oneonta city school board; many of you may still remember this. As a member of the board, Scott fought against excess spending for the taxpayer while ensuring that his children, then in the school system, would still receive a great education. Scott believes that when it comes to citizens and government, less is usually better and that people themselves can decide what is good for them, not government.
In this upcoming election try not to cast your vote based on party lines alone.
Please consider attending some of the upcoming debates and exercise your democratic right to be an informed voter and to be involved in the decisions that directly affect you.
Thank you.
Sarah Gravelin
Oneonta
Scott Gravelin is Sarah Gravelin's father.
Plan now to quit during Smokeout
Smokers don't have to wait until the new year to set a quit date. The Great American Smokeout happens every year on the third Thursday in November. Setting a quit date on Nov. 19 could be the first step in becoming smoke free. The next step could be listing reasons why you want to quit and keeping them with you. Some smokers also find it helpful to write down when they smoke and to list alternative activities. Telling friends and family that they have quit may provide them with additional motivation and support.
Co-workers can also get involved by logging on to the American Cancer Society website (cancer.org) for great workplace activities like "adopt a smoker." The nonsmoking co-worker pairs up with a smoking co-worker to help the smoker avoid his normal smoking routine.
Alternative activities to avoid the urge could be taking walks together at break time, providing him with a "cold turkey" sandwich at lunch or even pledging to give up something, too, such as candy, soda or coffee.
Another resource is the New York State Smokers' Quitline at www.nysmokefree.com or (866) 697-8487. To help improve smokers' odds for success, the quitline can provide a two-week starter kit with free nicotine replacement therapy, such as the gum or patch, tips and coaching. In the past three months, from July to September, 733 Otsego County and 612 Delaware County smokers received nicotine patches or gum from the quitline.
Lastly, don't forget to talk with a doctor or health care provider. They may be able to prescribe other effective treatments.
Aletha Martinez
Middlefield
Martinez is project director for Rural Three for Tobacco Free Communities.
Hurley-Quackenbush a tireless leader
It has been my pleasure to work with Janet Hurley-Quackenbush on the Oneonta Town Board for the past 10 years. During this period, she has displayed her responsibility to the needs of our residents and business community. Janet has been in the forefront in bringing and updating technology and website development to our town. Parks and recreation have been just one of the many places where Janet has excelled meeting the needs of the town, from the West End pool to Fortin Park in the East End.
This past year, Janet led the town board in the reorganization of the public safety committee to provide additional coverage for all town residents. She has always been mindful of taxpayers and businesses during the annual budget process for the town.
Electing Janet to the county board of representatives will be a plus for all county residents. Janet understands the impact of higher property taxes to families. As a business owner, she has seen the effects of government mandates that place burdens on county property owners and commercial business.
She understands the challenges we face in our county and will be a dominant force in producing a budget that will be fair and balanced to employees and residents, while encouraging growth. Janet will work with the county board in the bi-partisan structure to ensure that all will be represented responsibly.
Janet is a tireless community leader, businesswoman and parent. Janet will bring a combination of determination, enthusiasm and knowledge of local issues to the county board of representatives.
Anna Marie Lusins-McLachlan
Oneonta
Vote for Crowell for Otsego treasurer
Otsego County will face many economic challenges in the next few years; voters have the opportunity to elect a new county treasurer this year. We are fortunate to have Dan Crowell as a candidate.
Beyond his ability in basic accounting, Dan brings a wealth of economic and financial experience to this position. A Fulbright Scholar, he worked with micro-finance and sustainable business organizations. He received his master's degree in economics from the London School of Economics, focusing on development economics and public finance. He worked as an economist for the World Bank's International Finance Corp., which provided venture capital to businesses in developing economies.
While Dan's experience is global, his roots are local. He graduated from Cooperstown Central School and returned to Otsego County to raise his family and create a business. He is personable, energetic and dedicated to bringing a needed level of professionalism to the treasurer's office.
As county treasurer, Dan Crowell will make sound financial decisions to keep taxes affordable while shoring up the fund balance. His knowledge of rural economic development will guide us through these tough economic times.
Please join me in casting a vote for Dan Crowell for Otsego County Treasurer on Nov. 3.
Lizabeth Shannon
Oneonta
Shannon represents the Seventh Ward in the city of Oneonta as alderwoman.
Hosley a dedicated public servant
Phil Hosley, candidate for Oneonta town justice, has been my mailman and friend for more than 20 years.
In addition to being a devoted father and head of household, he has always been a reliable and dedicated public servant. Phil is a man who knows how to play by the rules, while never losing sight of the humanity that the rules are meant to serve. I remember him regularly detouring and going out of his way to get the mail to an elderly neighbor of mine who couldn't walk to her roadside mailbox. He even brought mail to my door when he felt it warranted my attention or was too big for the mailbox.
Upon his retirement after 30 years of public service, I'm not surprised that a man of Phil's energy, vigor, dedication and fairness is now seeking public office as town justice. I am heartened by his candidacy and I urge everyone to give him due consideration for that office.
Larry Mirarchi
Oneonta
