To the Editor:

My opponent, Ron Bertram (who is not even supporting his current town board members, and neither is the Republican GOP in Hammond), and his two CROH running mates, anyway these three have made repeated statements that they support local business and want to revitalize downtown Hammond. This is all well and good and sounds wonderful on the surface – as usual.

However, if they want to support local business then why did they spend $1,766.58 at Capital Promotions (Glenside, PA) and Build a Sign On Line (Out of State) for their political materials when we have local businesses here in Hammond and Massena that make political signs?

And why does Howard Demick use a Canadian firm to process his paychecks for his business? We have local CPAs and paycheck specific businesses here in St. Lawrence County.

And even more telling is the fact that over half of this trio’s campaign donations have been donated from out of state sources and the other half from “Special Interest.”

It is nice that they say, “We want to revitalize Hammond” however what exactly is their plan? They haven’t explained that. For claiming to be transparent – where is the plan? Ron promised economic development the last time he ran for office – where is it?

It is easy to make empty promises – don’t settle for those. Do not listen to what they are promising – look at what they are doing – expensive campaign signs, billboards, videos and websites, town newsletters – this is what they do – they spend. They have spent in September alone (just what they reported so far) – 3 times what I have spent on my campaign. (And I can proudly say I have spent all of it locally).

Ron Bertram has already proposed to raise your taxes this year – overriding the property tax cap. He will continue to raise your taxes and has promised to bring all assessments “in line with surrounding areas.” But there is still time to remedy this. The budget has not passed yet.

Michele McQueer

Hammond