To the Editor:

Quoting a recent letter to the editor: Words matter. There is an old-fashioned word that we don’t hear much lately – “magnanimity.” It means putting a higher good above personal interest.  

Here is another word that matters: Integrity (truthfulness, honor, reliability).

As a former colleague of Pat Brady, I have witnessed how he has demonstrated these two qualities in his public life for more than four decades. In his recent interview with North Country This Week, Pat has outlined his vast experience as Classroom Teacher, Superintendent of Schools for both Potsdam and Massena Central Schools, Town of Potsdam Supervisor, and again Potsdam Town Board member. In those capacities he needed to work well with the public, students, school employees, many educators, employee unions, contracts,  school boards, etc. He certainly was equal to the task. I urge you to review that article.

We in SLC Legislative District 12 are fortunate to have Pat as our candidate, with such an amazing array of experiences, especially because we will be represented by a person with genuine magnanimity and integrity credentials.  

A recent sermon heard by this writer included this statement.

“God Likes Integrity but it has left the building”. 

As you vote in this election cycle it is hoped that you will seek out the candidates that will bring both magnanimity and integrity back from the abyss both locally and nationally. That should be the “American Way”. Our American Democracy depends on it. E Pluribus Unum – out of many – one! In other words as a nation its citizens should work together as one, or  “United We Stand – Divided We Fall”, and friends, don’t make this an Aesop’s Fable “The Four Oxen and the Lion”. Look it up.

Joseph M. Liotta

Norwood