To the Editor:

I created and currently own and operate a custom rifle business in St. Lawrence County. I work on a consulting basis with the military and law enforcement division of Remington Arms.

The bulk of my business comes from across the country and those earnings as well as the taxes are kept local.

As I learn more about the Safe

Act and the promised passage of Safe Act 2 I find that I will no longer be able to function in this state. I’m sure that I speak for many other small business owners that have to deal with the onslaught of higher taxes and endless and impossible regulations from Albany.

I’ve watched once thriving communities across this County being reduced to poverty and I’m tired of it.

I have talked at great lengths with Travis Dann and I firmly believe that he is more than willing to listen to his constituents and act on their behalf.

He will not be “goose-stepping” to Albany’s demands as we see in the many unfunded mandates and unjust laws. He is working with the NY Rifle and Pistol Association and the NYSATA on the pending lawsuits against the safe act. Travis is also working with other state representatives with similar goals. Passing resolutions are nice but accomplish nothing.

I don’t believe we should just curl up into a fetal position and take it. We are a representative republic, not servants to the tyranny of Albany.

It’s our community, our livelihood, our children, our way of life, not theirs.

Travis will handle our tax money responsibly and stand up for our rights. Has our current legislator done that in his many years in office?

I think not. That's why I'm supporting Travis Dann for St. Lawrence County legislature.

Herb Coates

Gouverneur