To the Editor:

Northern NY is sure attracting political dollars, but we need jobs, not promises.

I'm from Canton NY, where we've watched good jobs disappear for years. My father worked at the Kraft cheese plant on Buck Street for over three decades before they closed their doors.  Businesses like Kraft strengthen the local economy.  But when the plant closed, so did other struggling businesses and small farms.

Without good jobs, it's hard to call the north country home. Many young people are packing up to chase after a decent paycheck elsewhere. In my parents day, Canton school graduated with 150+ students while my class had only 120. The very same school today has only 70 students per class.

We are losing people in our north country, fast.

So I am voting for a future with an opportunity to stay.

We need more jobs and a strengthened economy. Please consider voting for someone who's already done that: Constantino has already created manufacturing jobs in his own hometown.

He wants less regulation and less burden on businesses. He wants to bring manufacturing and industry back to NY-21. He pledged his entire $174,000 congressional salary to charity. And he shows up for Congressional debates.

The people of NY-21 deserve to hear candidates' positions. A debate is the best format both candidates can be equally represented. I look forward to this as part of the election process and find it hard to vote for a candidate who couldn't, wouldn't debate. (Constantino accepted all debate dates, Gendebien accepted none).

For good jobs, a strong economy and reasons our kids can stay… I'm voting Constantino all the way.

Elisha Hurlbut
Canton