I have lived in the North Country all my life. I am married to Robert Cunningham we have five children and four grandchildren. I work as a school nurse at Salmon River Central School. I see firsthand what challenges families are up against in the area both social and economic.

I am a fourth generation union member in my family. My great grandmother in 1935 was a co-founder of the Boot and Shoe Union in Bombay New York. My grandfather and father were both UAW union members. My oldest son is a member of NYSCOPBA , 2 of my children are in the military and my daughter is a member of IBEW 910. My youngest is a senior in high school.

I worked as the UAW Union Benefit Rep at GM Powertrain. I know firsthand what it is like to be without a job and have five children to think about. I understand the job loss and the impact that is has on a family. While I was at GM I took care of the membership with unemployment and medical bills for active member as well as retirees. I did not take the buyout from General Motors I was simply was laid off without a job to support my family. I continue to be a UAW member as well as in my new role as a school nurse as a member of NYSUT. My family and I are very involved with the Solidarity Parade as I serve on the committee and my family cooks for all of our union brothers and sisters.

I looked at my situation as an opportunity to reinvent myself and became a registered nurse. I then continued on my education for my bachelors in nursing. I am active in my local NYSUT union as part of the negotiations and health and safety. I am a proud member of New York State Health Care Professional State Council. I am very honored to be part of this group that works for issues in the health field all across this state.

I have always been involved in the community on many levels, I feel you need to be involved if you want positive change to happen. I feel you also need to respect a person no matter if you agree with them or not.

I know what it is like to be faced with issues that have been a great challenge. I have faced one of the hardest issues in Massena with Massena Memorial Hospital. I have extensively studied every piece of information that was available and it was not easy but I had to think of the taxpayer of Massena and the employees at MMH. I feel that the correct choice was made and jobs and health care will be in the Massena with area of growth.

I feel I am diverse and bring a lot of experience to the table from many different areas. I am young, energetic, dedicated and I will continue to work in moving Massena in the right direction for positive change. We need to set goals and follow through with them. Researching issues is important and make sure I make the correct decisions to protect our community and the taxpayers. It is important to continue to work with all levels of government local and state to advance our area and creating economic stability through job opportunities. Look into all areas of grants for the town. We need to think of all community members both young and old.

We need to keep working to make Massena more attractive to visitors and investors. We need to work as a team to achieve this. Massena is a beautiful place with so many natural resources, and wonderful rivers. We have great water opportunities and some beautiful parks and visitor centers to show people. We are working to display Massena as a world class fishing area that has so much to offer. We have had great success this past year and want to continue with the fishing.

I am dedicated and will continue to work on the issues that Massena faces such as jobs, the economy and fighting to keep the jobs that we have. We need to look at infrastructure and water concerns that face the town. We need to keep Massena moving forward and make it a place where people want to live and business want to open their doors for more opportunities. Help small business continue to grow and have economic stability. People need living wage jobs and be able to support their families.

I ask for your support on November 5 to be re-elected for Town Council of Massena. To keep Massena moving forward.

Melanie Cunningham

Massena town council candidate