To the Editor:

I would like to endorse Rita Curran who is running for reelection to serve as the St. Lawrence County Legislator from District 15, representing Waddington, Louisville and part of Massena.

Over the past eight years that Rita has served on the St. Lawrence County Legislature, I have been very impressed by her efforts to make a difference for the better for all the people of our North Country.

As a long-time emergency room nurse, nurse practitioner and psychiatric nurse practitioner, Rita brings an in-depth understanding of the realities of our health care system and emergency management service system that is hard to find among elected officials. Rita's background treating our veterans' community and underserved rural populations has made her aware of the critical importance that county government brings to making sure that we take care of people who otherwise would fall between the cracks without creating duplicative and unnecessary health care services that would compete with the many not for profit agencies that already serve the people of the North Country.

Rita brings a strong fiscal conservative approach to serving on the county legislature. As someone who grew up here, she understands the day to day struggles of single moms and families who have to make tough choices to pay rising electric, heating and property tax bills.

Rita believes the county legislature's priority ought to be to hold the line on the tax rate, make our government more efficient and encourage economic growth to bring more job opportunities so our young people can come back, raise a family and buy a home.

If Rita is elected, she will oppose new, foolish tax and spend policies that may sound appealing but actually duplicate what our not for profits already offer.

As her colleague, I would strongly urge her reelection.

James E. Reagen
Legislator, District 1
Ogdensburg