To the Editor:

I have known Patty Ritchie for over thirty years. When I think of her, I am reminded of kindness, caring, commitment, loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, strong work ethic, competent, visionary leader, people oriented and most of all integrity. The definition of integrity is “soundness of moral and ethical character.”

Patty has worked very hard to improve and expand services to county residents for the past ten years. When she first ran for St. Lawrence County Clerk, her campaign slogan was “A Promise Made is a Promise Kept.” That is exactly what she has done. When she says she is going to do something, it happens. To name a few, she expanded the DMV offices to serve the people. She created better working systems in her office to serve the people. She created longer hours at the Clerks Office to serve the people.

The most recent innovative effort was to process registration renewals from New York City. Because of this, she has brought in 2.4 million dollars in revenue. What other elected official has brought in business generated revenue to the tune of 2.4 million dollars for their constituents? She did this to serve the people.

As the President of the NYS Association of County Clerks, she led a team to stop the license plate replacement program that our Governor tried so desperately to pass. She did this to serve the people.

Our state government is broke fiscally and ethically. The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer and the middle class is becoming the working poor. It is corrupt, self-serving and all about power.

We need change. We need Patty Ritchie as our next New York State Senator for the 48th District. She has conducted herself very professional throughout this campaign. She has focused on public service accomplishments. She has ideas on how to cut taxes to create jobs. She will fight to get rid of the wasteful spending.

I encourage you to go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 2 and elect Patty Ritchie, because she serves the people with integrity.

Mary Ann Ashley

Canton