We All Need to Get Out and Vote

How much difference a month can make!

The 'expensive blitzkreig' I mentioned in the previous post, which caused all thousand-plus signatures on Russ Bachman's petitions to be examined under a microscope (unprecedented in recent history), resulted in enough disallowed signatures that Russ will not be able to run at all. You probably read about this in the Star.

And so Dan Crowell has reorganized his plans for the future again, and has agreed to run for the seat he's held for four years. He has no control over when, or if, he is ever called up again for military training; he has been engaged in special-ops training, and the security clearance for that kind of thing can take any amount of time, including years. That's why he had to leave on relatively short notice in February.

Dan is tremendously able Treasurer. He's not only fully qualified to fulfill the job description, he is also an articulate and committed teacher. This quality is essential because we, the County Reps, are not qualified to fulfill his job description. The County financial system and budget processes are unbelievably complex and convoluted, and it's very important that decisions made at every point be made responsibly by a fully informed Board. In my time on the Board, Dan has led us through these processes clearly and carefully. He has been available for consultation on any County financial matter, and has worked energetically to streamline systems and move managers and legislators toward a more long-term, responsible view of County services. “Hometown Oneonta” did a good job recently of describing his work as Treasurer, in an almost-endorsement (I'd link to it, but their website is a mess).

So it's still as important as ever to get out and vote. It's important for Dan to remain the Treasurer of Otsego County, because noone has done as good a job as he has for a very long time. Although the County is in good fiscal condition, times are still very tough and the work of planning for the future in a wise and responsible manner is essential. I, for one, want it to be Dan that helps us move through this time to a (hopefully) more prosperous future.