To the Editor:

I am writing to support Tedra Cobb in her bid to be our representative in Congress. I served for 4 years on the St. Lawrence County legislature from 1990–1994.

I am very familiar with the demands and responsibilities of that position. County government provides many essential services to the citizens of St. Lawrence County, including social services, the county court system, the jail, the sheriff’s department, probation, county planning, solid waste disposal, and county roads and bridges. Most of these departments and services are mandated.

Most of the funding for those services comes from the state, with some from the federal government. Property and sales taxes make up the difference. One of the prime responsibilities of a legislator is the creation of a yearly budget to fund the various departments and services provided.

This is a long drawn out process, which demands hard choices and difficult decisions. It also means compromise and cooperation across the aisle. The bottom line is that the legislature has to produce a balanced budget every year; deficit spending is not an option.

Tedra served eight years on the St. Lawrence County legislature and she knows the needs of the citizens of the North Country. She knows that every expenditure to meet those needs must be fully funded. This experience has given her an appreciation for the time and hard work involved with serving the people.

The accusation that Tedra was responsible for over twenty tax increases during her tenure as a county legislator has been proven to be false and is simply a smear tactic. Tedra has shown a willingness to serve the people of the North Country. She has my wholehearted support.

Richard Tomlinson

Potsdam