BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

LOUISVILLE -- Communication and keeping an open mind are core elements that one candidate for District 15 says will set him apart if he is elected to the St. Lawrence County Legislature.

Democrat John Michno has been a professional counselor for nearly 30 years, giving him the necessary skill set to be an effective legislator, he says.

“If elected, my experience as a Counselor will be beneficial to fulfilling many of my obligations as a Legislator. One of my core skills is listening to people without judgement, responding without negative emotions, and applying reason to solve real life problems,” Michno said.

He said working across the aisle to find common ground and. Common sense solutions to the many issues facing the county will be essential.

“It is imperative in this partisan political climate, where we have stopped listening to our neighbors because we may disagree, to instead apply critical thinking and common sense to solve the issues of District 15 and St. Lawrence County,” he said.

Michno acknowledged that the county has a number of issues, ranging from economic downturns, to employment losses, healthcare concerns and child welfare.

“It’s true, our county has many challenges. We struggle, along with many other communities, with universal concerns such as: economic development, employment, loss of manufacturing, workforce retention, healthcare, housing, mental health, and child welfare, to name a few,” he said.

Michno said more than anything the focus has been on money and tariffs that continues to alienate Canadians, who are crossing the border far less frequently in recent years.

Without the support of tourism dollars, Michno said the county is feeling the pinch.

“At the forefront now, grabbing our attention and our money are tariffs and the alienation of our Canadian neighbors who no longer cross the border and frequent our businesses.

Gas and diesel prices have increased to record highs due to foreign policy blunders and data centers, with questionable benefits to our county, have become a point of contention in our communities,” he said.

Michno said one consideration in his district he hopes to address is border security.

“A special concern in District 15 and St. Lawrence County is maintaining a secure border, which is something I believe in. We have the right and responsibility to manage our borders and should do so in such a way that is lawful and aligned with our Constitutional protections,” he said.

Michno said he believes problems are solved with input from all parties, not in a vacuum.

“Solutions to the above problems are not found in a vacuum, nor can one person fix everything. There is no single or simple answer. The question is are we willing to work together as neighbors and have honest, rational, fact-based conversations that are required to find the solutions?” he said.

Michno said he believes good government starts from the bottom up.

“A government of the people, by the people, for the people. If elected, this seat belongs to every citizen in District 15,” he said.

Help St. Lawrence County Stay Connected!

We’re glad you read this article reported by the staff of NorthCountryNow.com.

If you haven’t done so already, please consider subscribing to ensure you have full access to all the news and info about St. Lawrence County.

Your subscriptions make it possible for us to provide trustworthy local news, promote our many community events, and encourage community dialogue.

Please click here to subscribe today!