To The Editor:

Elect Renee Cole for St. Lawrence County treasurer.

In the bid for St. Lawrence County treasurer I applaud the Watertown Times endorsements; your support of Renee Cole is well warranted.

In response to your observation about Don Hooper backing Derek Van House because he works in Mr. Hooper’s firm: Don knows Derek and Derek’s expertise so course he would back him! On the other hand, I KNOW Renee. As her sister-in-law I have faith in her expertise.

I know how dedicated she is to her position, the hard work and many hours she has put into winning this election, and the great number of followers that believe in her. Renee makes careful, intelligent, knowledgeable, and competent decisions at work and in her daily life.

Moving on to the issue that seems to be at the heart of discrediting Renee’s bid for office. Characterizing Renee as incompetent because of an issue that predates her taking on the County Treasurer’s job is disingenuous. There is no undermining the seriousness of the issue; this county is in dire straits; but to blame one person is absurd.

I ask this question, “If the problem was caught several months ago, and steps have been put in motion to correct it, why is it being publically disclosed close to election time? Also, I’ve seen no recognition of the fact that the money being utilized to rectify the banking issue is savings realized by Renee’s doing two jobs allowing the Treasurer’s salary to cover the audit.

Legislators have made public their endorsement of Derek based on his background. Derek had the opportunity to attend college to gain an education at a larger school and has been fortunate to be hired at a firm here in his hometown. There is no debating his competency.

However, to debate that a person with a degree from a larger, specialized, four-year school is more motivated or competent doesn’t wash. Renee is being demeaned because she attended a two-year college in her community. A person who has utilized a “backyard” education, on-the-job training, and grown from the experience of working in different positions brings a multifaceted approach to the workplace that cannot be disputed or underrated.

We have two good candidates here with very different backgrounds. Misaligning one candidate while surmising what the other would have done in the same position is not acceptable.

Let’s look for solutions, not blame.

Vote Renee Cole for county treasurer.

Marsha Hough

Ogdensburg