To the Editor:

This March, I wrote a letter addressing the appointment of Gavin Regan and the resulting dismissal of Mary Lou Rupp. I hoped at the time to stop the unending pity party being held for Rupp, which was hurting her reputation as well as Regan’s. It was time the candidates got on with the campaign, and let the voters decide based on their abilities, platforms and credentials.

Unfortunately, the pity vote is all Rupp has put forth. She has further hurt her own campaign by taking credit for things she did not do, and pushing blame on Regan for things he did not do.

The CSEA contract states that all County offices will be open to the public from 9-5, with summer hours of 8-4. This was recently enforced for the first time in years by County Administrator Karen St. Hilaire.

The Ogdensburg office, despite what you read, has always closed for lunch. The clerks there decided to move the lunch hour from 11-12 to 12-1, because of the later opening. Somehow, Rupp’s supporters offer this as proof that Regan is ruining customer service.

Gavin Regan’s resume stands for itself. His credentials and accomplishments are far superior to Rupp’s, and his tenure as County Clerk is now more than twice as long as Rupp’s.

Having worked for four different County Clerks, I can say working with Gavin has been the most favorable and fairest.

Since March, we have seen more of him in Massena than we saw of the last two Clerks in ten years. And always driving his own vehicle, may I add.

What I notice most is the long list of endorsements for Regan from Unions and professional organizations. And I see the positive letters of support from many town, county and union officials.

I’ve yet to see one official endorsement for Rupp, or anything other than the same tired complaints that she was fired and deserves to be put back in.

Since Rupp refused to debate Regan, I would very much like to hear her tell us something, anything, about why she should be elected.

I base my support of Regan for County Clerk on what I have experienced first hand. Rupp was a good DMV clerk, but is just not the right choice for the responsibility of the Office of County Clerk.

Gavin Regan has my vote, and the vote of just about every person I know.

Arline Murphy

Massena