To the Editor:

What kind of politician gives their public service salary back to the community? Answer: One who prioritizes the needs of their community over personal profit. That would be Canton town supervisor candidate, Mary Ann Ashley.

During previous appointments, Ashley returned thousands of dollars to our community. These funds benefited a variety of organizations, including kayak rentals at Taylor Park. Who is this candidate?

Americans have been chronically subjected to non-productive bureaucracy wherein party-power takes precedent over the interests and welfare of the citizenry. Ashley's public service builds on bipartisan cooperation, investigation, and understanding. The world is not black and white, nor are the issues facing our town and village.

This candidate does not try to paint them as such. Instead, she proactively works to bring constituents together, seeks public opinion, welcomes input, and inclusively garners professional expertise and the ideas of stakeholders. This attitude is a breath of fresh air.

Ashley is all about the good of the community. Fiscally conservative and socially liberal, she has a proven record as past Village Trustee and Mayor. With an Associates in Criminal Justice, Bachelors in Human Services, Masters in Education, and NY State certificates in counseling and administration, Ashley is a savvy candidate with unblemished integrity and a history of positive team-building.

Let our elected officials know we are sick of political self-interest and squabbling. It's time to ignore party labels. Mary Ann Ashley is economically pragmatic, and socially inclusive. None of us is 'the other side' in her book...we are in this together. Ashley is a roll-up-your-sleeves individual who sacrifices personal time. A few examples include harvesting/delivering corn stalks to a high school club building a theme garden, and creating Winterfest sculptures in below-zero temps.

Voters in Pyrites, Morley, Canton and Rensselaer Falls, you have before you a Town Supervisor candidate who seeks to hear our voices, and who, altruistically, will work hard for the betterment of all.

Kimber Petrie

Canton