To the Editor:

First: Some quick background: I am a person having been born and raised in NNY, and lived 75 years of my 90 years in four different towns in the area.

Second: I completed seven years of education after high school. Have BS, LLB and

JD degrees. Practiced law in NNY (Massena & Potsdam). Retired in 1993 as

Assistant Counsel with the NYS Police.

Third: Since I was old enough to vote I have been a registered member of four different political parties and now just registered.

Fourth: My political experience goes back to the FDR-Wilkey race in 1940. Mom and Dad were devoted FDR fans. Mom was the secretary of the Democratic Party in St. Lawrence County for 25 years plus, and ran four times for County Clerk. All to no avail, including a loss to a Republican candidate who was under indictment.

I was taken aback on March 7, 2023, by two articles that I read online, North Country Radio (Stefanik making false claims about the FBI) and Dale Ford’s (Displeasure with Republicans).

Times have changed in many ways since the 1950 & 1960’s, but truth based on verified facts remain etched in granite. In the articles mentioned above I find no truth in either.

For as many years I have said “When a politician (regardless of party) running for office is speaking, truth is seldom based on any verified facts.” That’s a given.

Neither NCPR (owned by SLU) or Mr. Ford (thank you for your service) are politicians. As we were taught by parents, the clergy, our own conscience and the Law of Nature, when we go public with our statements, they should be based on facts, not on the position or ideals held by our political party, our schooled implants, our frustrations etc.

J. Neil Devine, Esq. (Retired)
Potsdam