To the Editor:

The St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators needs new people with fresh ideas. Do you live in district 11 – the Potsdam-Stockholm area? If so, you have an opportunity to elect a smart young man with a level head and knowledge of finance. Gavin Regan has lived here all of his life and is very aware of the problems facing our County. His expertise and many years as an investment counselor makes him just the person we need to grow our economic development.

Gavin has been a leader and self-starter all of his life working as a coach and as a Gold Medal winner in USA Hockey. He has three young children and does not want them to have to leave the North Country to get decent jobs as so many of our children do now. Property taxes in our area are at their limit; our citizens cannot withstand any more such burden. Recognizing that we nee to increase our tax base and the best way to do that is to encourage business to develop – small or large – Gavin supports the I-98 highway. We know our way of life here is a great one – we have easy access to some of the most sought after and beautiful areas in this country. However, businesses need customers and they need to get products in and out efficiently and we are virtually landlocked between I-81 and I-87.

We need people in our local legislature that can say no when necessary, thinking for themselves, and not blindly following someone else’s lead. Gavin is that person. He has grown up with a vision for the North Country where we thrive and prosper instead of dwelling at the bottom of survival, scraping along, hoping for something to save us. He is willing to put himself to work to fulfill that vision. We must have representatives like Gavin Regan on our Board of Legislators if we are to take new approaches and move us out of this continuous depression.

Vote Gavin Regan on November 2nd for yourself, for your children, for your grandchildren.

Mark Bellardini

Potsdam