NORTH COUNTRY THIS WEEK

POTSDAM -- St. Lawrence County legislature candidate Nance Aqruiett says she is running for the county board because she wants her four children to have the option to remain in the North Country and follow their dreams here.

“I am fully aware of the reality that we have a real shortage in the North Country of living wage jobs. In order for our children to pursue their career dreams, or to be able to support a family of their own, they will be forced to leave St. Lawrence County. Whether our children dream of being business owners, teachers, doctors, engineers, or farmers, it is important that we work to make those dreams recognizable right here in St Lawrence County. I will work hard to make the North Country a vibrant area where your children and mine can flourish for generations,” Arquiett said in an emailed response to questions.

Arquiett cites her business partnership as a strength that would make her a good legislator.

“The strength that I possess that will be best asserted as county legislator is my ability to work as a “,” she said. “My business is a great example of this. 2 Mama Birds is a partnership of give and take, one that we built from the ground up, and have since been recognized with several business awards.”

Among her qualifications, Arquiett is on the Brasher Falls Central school board, served on the Massena Downtown Revitalization Initiative Committee, is a Massena Chamber board member, and member of The People Project.

Arquiett believes the biggest issue facing the county is unemployment.

“In June 2018 our unemployment rate was 6 percent, the highest in the state. We must support our job creating agencies, as they actively recruit new employment opportunities for the residents of St. Lawrence County. If elected I will work diligently with our Industrial Development Agency, the St. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and agricultural community to help actively recruit new employment opportunities for the residents of St. Lawrence County.”

She said the focus should be on maintaining jobs we currently have, and bringing into our community new living wage jobs, jobs in which residents can support themselves and their families.

When asked where she would like to see the county make more investment or more cuts, Arquiett said, “in addition to investing in economic development and supporting our small businesses and farmers, I would like to see the county investing in additional substance abuse programs, initiatives and staffing. Opioids are plaguing our county, and we will not beat the problem unless we acknowledge it, face it head on and give it our all.”

She says it would be hard to find someone that is not affected either directly or indirectly by heroin. “Those affected are our sons and daughters, our neighbors, our friends,” she said. “We must all come together and work as a team.”

Arquiett said that, “all across the country, whether in federal, state or local government, we are hearing the same issue among voters.”

She said people do not feel they are being heard, they feel that government is not listening, and our representatives are voting without their constituents in mind.

“As I have canvassed District 11, I have heard the same from my community. Voters are not being made aware of pertinent issues facing St. Lawrence County, and they certainly are not being asked to weigh in on the issues that directly affect them every day.”

She said that being a leader means being able to work as a team, and the team should reach farther than simply the elected legislators.

“The team should include community members, county department heads, local experts, and finally the legislative board,” Arquiett said. “If elected I will work hard to make sure that District 11 residents feel that they are informed, that they are heard, and that they have a voice.”

If elected, Arquiett said it is her intention to hold monthly meetings in which community members may ask questions, present concerns, and weigh in on upcoming votes affecting the district.

“A good representative is the voice of his/her constituents, and I want to be that voice for District 11,” she said.

Asked what will she will do to benefit the district specifically, Arquiett said, “many of the issues facing St. Lawrence County are universal across the districts. For District 11 and for the entirety of the county, I will work hard for economic development. Many of our residents are working two or three jobs to heat their homes and put food on their table. In a county where over 50 percent of our children are eligible for free or reduced lunches, it is evident we must do more. We need to bring good paying jobs to Northern NY. I am ready to work not only with our County officials but also with our State and Federal officials to come up with a plan of action.”