To the Editor:
I am pleased that Nancy Cozean is the mayor of Poughkeepsie. She was selected by Senator Clinton as one of 100 mayors nationwide to advise her (Sen. Clinton) on presidential campaign policy and outreach.
Her invitation shows that she believes that Mayor Cozean’s strides toward renewal of Poughkeepsie merit being an example for other cities. Hurrah for Poughkeepsie, and thank you Mayor Cozean.
Jacquelyn Efram
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
Fred Knapp will be an outstanding mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie. I urge all of my fellow Democrats to join me and vote for him on Primary Day, Sept. 18. Fred’s many years of public service as a county legislator yields a proven record of dedication to and advocacy for the citizenry of Dutchess County. As mayor, he will focus that same passion to better the quality of life for each city resident.
Fred has championed initiatives such as sponsoring legislation that supports victims of domestic violence, increasing the funding for day care subsidies, sponsoring the sales tax exemption on clothing, voting against an increased county sales tax, drafting an alternative 2007 county budget that reduced Steinhaus’s double-digit tax increase, reducing the tuition for Dutchess Community College students, creating a housing trust fund, as well as including alternative fuel vehicles into the county’s fleet. Fred supports expanding public transportation for students and senior citizens and expanding Dial-A-Ride to include evenings and weekends.
I have known Fred for many years and can attest to a standout quality that he possesses: Fred Knapp listens. He welcomes and encourages input in order to make informed, intelligent decisions. He then persistently and steadfastly advocates his positions even in the face of adversity. Without doubt, Fred believes in open government that is responsive to its citizens.
The City of Poughkeepsie needs Fred Knapp as its mayor. Vote for him on Primary Day.
Elizabeth Sweeney
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
Voting for Fred Knapp in the Sept. 18 Democratic Mayoral Primary will be a decisive blow to unleash Poughkeepsie’s potential to become a safe haven to raise our children, let our senior citizens age with dignity and provide property taxpayers with government that will spend your dollars more wisely.
Mr. Knapp is a family man who cares for all people from the womb to the grave. Mr. Knapp is a man of faith who also has faith in the dreams of our citizens to build a better city while helping to enact laws that will promote our abilities to realize those dreams.
Mr. Knapp is currently a county legislator who has blazed a trail for progress. It is a trail that can be traveled by all citizens – Democrats, Republicans and Independents. It is a trail that is in the best interests of all of us, from office staffers to construction workers to law enforcement and fire safety guardians.
His six main campaign points deal with making our city better now and in the future. Fred Knapp aims to:
• Improve education opportunities through a closer working relationship with the school board;
• Expand quality affordable housing for the entire community;
• Demand progressive, fair tax policies and a greater share of county sales taxes;
• Build an open government committed to community input to City Hall decisions;
• Create more youth services aimed at recreation and job opportunities;
• Install responsive senior programs, expand Dial-A-Ride and bus transportation.
Democratic voters have the opportunity to allow Mr. Knapp to take the first step by voting for him in the Democratic Primary on Sept. 18. We can do better than the kind of mayor who denies yellow ribbons to our veterans and sells the keys to senior housing while depriving our children of much needed additional tax revenues. Fred Knapp will unite our citizens and unleash Poughkeepsie’s potential to do better.
Randall Johnson
Poughkeepsie taxpayer
To the Editor:
In Janet Houston’s letter to the Poughkeepsie Journal of Sept. 11 (City Democrats, Please Support Mayor) she took issue with the process by which mayoral candidate Fred Knapp received the endorsement of the City’s Democratic Committee. As Ms. Houston knows, the Democratic Committee conducts meetings following established rules of conduct. The candidate for mayor is chosen by secret ballot submitted in person or designated proxy by committee members. For her to suggest there was an untoward manipulation of the process is untrue.
In May, Fred Knapp received the votes of 75 percent of the City Democratic Committee. The vast majority of the members voted for him because of his firm belief in issues which are important to Democrats and all city residents. Fred had detailed many thoughtful and innovative approaches to improve the city’s standing – from smart economic growth; collaboration with our schools toward the success of our youth; affordable housing and responsive government. Fred is a proven leader (8 terms as a county legislator) and the best choice as our next mayor. Please join me in voting for Fred Knapp on Primary Day, Tuesday, Sept. 18.
Brian Doyle
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
Hyde Park residents are known for disagreements on many subjects and political issues. But there is no disagreement that David Steinberg has done an outstanding job as Hyde Park Town Justice. He has earned the respect and admiration of all residents – Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike – for his devotion to the law, work ethic and commitment to justice. In his four years on the bench, Justice Steinberg has earned accolades from those who have appeared before him, as well as Dutchess County’s entire criminal justice system, from police officials, probation officers and prosecutors to defense attorneys and fellow judges. He deserves every Hyde Parker’s support for re-election.
Independence Party voters should support David Steinberg in their primary election on Sept. 18. The rest of us will have to wait until Nov. 6 to re-elect him to another term, so he can continue to operate his court with sensitivity and intelligence for all Hyde Park residents. This is a public servant we can all proudly support.
Michael Dupree
Hyde Park