My name is Mike Zagrobelny, and I am unabashedly a union member, union supporter, and Democrat. I’m writing to respond directly "Opinion: Colbert has been standard bearer for St. Lawrence County economic overhaul, Hopkinton man says."

The writer admits that she can’t vote in the election for Chad Colbert and quite frankly neither can I. If I could, I would be voting for Nance Arquiett. Nance’s experience as a school board member, entrepreneur, and parent make her an ideal candidate. She has the ability to listen and react based on fact, rather than “follow the leader” as Chad Colbert has done for four years. Nance will be an independent and outspoken voice for the people of Potsdam and Stockholm.

In her misguided support for Colbert, Ms. Richael throws unions and working men and women throughout St. Lawrence County under the bus. Ms. Richeal should look around the North Country and America and see all that organized labor has built. To imply that a union endorsement for a candidate is a way of buying the vote is absurd. Does the mean that Chad Colbert would vote in favor of Christian Churches, the Boy Scouts, and owners of vegetable stands simply because he associates with them? To be endorsed by organized labor means that real working men and women recognize that your values are akin to theirs. Seeking the endorsements of Unions means that you care about the thoughts and issues of your constituents. The fact that Colbert has zero endorsements is more telling.

I agree that legislators should be completely unbiased when conducting negotiations . I know; as an elected official in both Potsdam and Norwood, I often took off my union cap to put on my Councilman or Trustee cap and negotiate a fair deal for both sides. Nance Arquiett has that same ability. She has done it for years on the Brasher Falls School Board. It doesn’t sound like Chad Colbert has that ability; his disdain for unions would be reflected in his actions.

I worry that Mr. Colbert actually knows how to check his other hats at the door. Over the past several years, the St. Lawrence County workforce has lost over 150 jobs. Those are jobs that provide needed services to county residents. In the meantime the County has missed out on millions in Medicaid reimbursements because they lacked the proper staff. I don’t understand how Colbert and his finance experts could let that happen. Mr. Colbert and his friends brag about the tax cuts that will save the average home owner $8.00. You can keep my $8.00 if you hire people to collect the millions that Medicaid owes us! Chad Colbert and the leadership of the last four years are a classic example of “stepping over a dollar to save a penny.”

St. Lawrence County needs new leadership in the legislature and that begins with candidates like Nance Arquiett who will represent all the residents whether they belong to a Union or not.

Mike Zagrobelny

Waddington