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St. Lawrence County 7th District challenger Beary worries about high taxes, few jobs

Posted 11/3/18

By MATT LINDSEY NORTH COUNTRY THIS WEEK Kevin Beary, Republican hopeful for the St. Lawrence County Legislature 7th District, says he is running for office because “I care very much for St. …

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St. Lawrence County 7th District challenger Beary worries about high taxes, few jobs

Posted

By MATT LINDSEY

NORTH COUNTRY THIS WEEK

Kevin Beary, Republican hopeful for the St. Lawrence County Legislature 7th District, says he is running for office because “I care very much for St. Lawrence County and its people and I do not want to see residents forced out of the county because of high property taxes and few job opportunities.”

He believes his experience as a teacher has given him the skills to communicate and work with people on both sides of the aisle.

“I have taught English for lawyers courses and so I am familiar with legal concepts and terminology. I have a master's degree in bioethics and am very familiar with ethical questions regarding health and social services issues,” he said.

District 7 includes the towns of Clare, Colton, Hopkinton, Parishville, Piercefield, and Pierrepont. He is trying to unseat Democrat Rick Perkins.

Beary believes that “property taxes are the biggest issue in the sense that if people are forced out of the county and the state because they cannot afford to pay the exorbitant taxes, all the other local issues will not matter to them anymore.”

He says property taxes are so high because of Albany's unfunded mandates, which are services that the state compels the counties to provide without funding these services completely.

“County legislators must work together with state assembly members and senators in order to ensure that Albany gradually takes over these costs,” Beary said.

When asked where he would you like to see the county make more investment or cuts, Beary said, “certainly more investment should be made in upgrading the county's infrastructure. Many roads and bridges are in bad shape and need to be upgraded. This is already being done and the work must continue.”

He added that no cuts can be made in services that are mandated by the state.

“That is why it is so important for Albany to assume these costs,” he said. “The county should actively encourage the opening of small businesses by working with entrepreneurs and helping them every step of the way. The county must also see to it that treatment is readily available for substance abusers.”

So what separates the two candidate?

“My opponent is running on the Working Families Party line. Bernie Sanders has praised Working Families, saying it is a party that believes in his vision of democratic socialism. I do not believe in socialism. I believe in limited government that does not interfere with people's God-given rights and freedoms,” the Republican said.

Beary said that being retired, he would be able to devote all his time and energy to his duties and obligations as county legislator.

“Many legislators who work full time and have other interests as well struggle to put as much time as they would like into their legislative work,” he said.

T directly benefit his district specifically, Beary says the closed section of the multi-use trail system near the Colton-Parishville line must be opened to users.

“Trail users, the tourism industry, and businesses in District 7 suffer because of this closure,” he said.

Beary added that “the notion that concealed carry is a privilege granted by government authorities, and not a right safeguarded by the 2nd Amendment, is unconstitutional. Many concealed carry permit holders in District 7 have complained to me about the restrictions placed on their licenses. The restrictions are unconstitutional and must be removed.”