To the Editor:

An open letter to the citizens of St. Lawrence County about the upcoming election on November 7th. Growing up, I always heard, publicly, that you should vote for you party’s candidate.

However, I also heard from many people, in small conversations, that while a great idea, that did not always elect the appropriate candidate. I personally think it is time for the people of St. Lawrence County no matter what political party they belong to, to say - enough.

We have had candidates move to our county solely to be able to enter our political races (and unfortunately win in some cases). It’s time that we elect someone from our own community – a long time resident who has the skills and experience to ensure our laws are enforce fairly and impartially with compassion for those injured and the substance and passion to bring the guilty to justice. All without fanfare, all without prejudice and in an equal way.

Of course, this means I am recommending and endorsing our own Jim Monroe for district attorney. After living around the world for 24 years, I retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1990. My family came to live in Norwood because that was where my spouse was raised and we wanted a safe community to raise our daughter.

Where we wouldn’t have to lock our doors just to run to the local store, where we felt safe and secure. Unfortunately, some of that has since eroded. We’ve lived in Norwood ever since. I note this because these 27 years are the longest I’ve lived anywhere in my life.

Thus, I feel that gives me the ability and privilege of voicing my opinion about our politics and elected officials. We saw how other cultures lived and the way people were badly treated. America is not supposed to be that way. We are the home of the brave and the land of the free and we need strong people in offices to continue that way of life. That’s why I’m voting for Jim Monroe as district attorney come election day.

Patrick R. Rourk

Norwood