Many opportunities available to get involved in local political process

Editor:

I have read with great interest the recent Letters to the Editor regarding the manner in which government in Orleans County keeps growing, expanding their reach and costs to county residents. Several letters have also dealt with the manner in which party candidates and committee members are chosen.

Some people think to solve this we should do away with partisan elections in the Village of Albion and perhaps across the county as if that will move more people to run for office and get involved.

It is not necessary for all elections to be non-partisan. There has always been the opportunity for  “outsiders” to run for office. For town and county positions, if someone wants to run they need only contact the Board of Elections in Orleans County or, in the Village of Albion, the Village Clerk, and request their own petitions.

They then choose the name of their party and get the required number of signatures. It is then a matter of filing these petitions by the deadline to be on the ballet. For more information contact the County Board of Elections or go to https://elections.ny.gov for more information on how to run for office.

Meanwhile, if you are truly interested in getting to know the chosen candidates and what they stand for then you should do the following:

Go to Meet & Greets and Candidate Forums to talk with and get to know the candidates beliefs and vision for the community. Just because the candidate is not of your party affiliation does not mean you cannot go and speak to them. Don’t rely on your party committee or your neighbor to decide your vote for you. Choose the best candidate no matter what party they belong to. Don’t rely on the candidates ability to go “door to door” as the weather does not always cooperate.

If you are affiliated with a political party you can attend their meetings which are open to the public.

Better yet, get on the committee itself. Political committees are currently in the process of re-organizing and now is the time to make it known that you are interested in getting on and getting involved. Check the committee website and contact the committee Chair to express your feelings about issues, candidates and how to become a committee member.

Too often people do not want to get involved. It takes conviction, energy, money and courage to run for an office. You are putting yourself out in front of the public and often there is a “behind your back” rumor mill ready to tear you down.

Run for office yourself! To use an old term “Put your money where your mouth is.” We are always looking for good committee members and good candidates.

Sandra Walter

Chairwoman of Albion Democratic Party