Please know my hesitation in answering the personal attacks
on me recently was not caused by a lack of will. I assumed that there would be
other similar attacks originating from the other side and wanted to address
them all with one letter. This instrument will have to suffice.
The decision we have all been waiting for is only hours
away. Polls are open today between the
hours of 12 O’clock Noon and 9:00 PM. You will have the opportunity to cast
your vote and make your choice known. It
will be either Mr. Mackney or another 4 years of what we’ve had. I think the need for change is more than
necessary.
What I ask of you is this:
Please take a few moments to read the postings in support of Rick
Whitney and compare them with those in support of Walter Mackney. To me it’s mostly a matter of venom versus
veracity, truth and justice. Deluding
the truth with slanderous, ill informed, nasty comments about those that
support Mr. Mackney are just plain wrong.
Desperate is probably a better definition.
Whitney has alleged that he is “running on his record” and
the majority of what I have read (and wrote myself) took issue with his
“record”. If the truth hurts maybe
Whitney should have at least tried to heal those wounds beforehand. Attempts have been made and been
rebuffed. I know. I tried and failed. He’s had almost 8 years to do so and all I’ve
seen is a stone wall of silence and retribution.
Over the last 30 years I think I’ve sacrificed enough both
politically and personally to last several lifetimes. I’m no one’s whipping boy
though and I will respond. The truth obviously means nothing to you. You won’t
listen, ask questions of those that know or seek any participle of the truth.
It appears rumor; gossip and innuendo are your lot. As a beloved cousin used to say “I guess it’s
just the way it’s got to be.”
You will learn that with age comes the knowledge that it is
no longer possible to just keep turning the other cheek. Sooner or later you
realize that the truth is paramount.
No one said that Mr. Whitney is a bad man. He’s liked and
liked well by people he has been able to help. I supported him 8 years ago
because I also liked and respected him.
Knowing him now – as I have interacted with him over these last 8 years
- has drastically affected that status. I do not have a lot of respect for
those that have blatantly and repeatedly disrespected me.
We need someone who will listen and not take personal
offense when asked a question. Dissention is a right. Failure to interact
positively is a sin.
We need someone who will keep their promises and advocate on
the side of the Taxpayer. If you think
the response time of the State Police is insufficient – use your bully pulpit
to affect change. You have the support
of at least this one lowly Legislator to do so. Duplicating services without
cause is also a sin.
We need someone who will – when it’s alleged the drug
eradication effort is being ignored in Allegany County – investigate it and
negotiate a better deal. You also have the support of this Legislator to do so.
I am confident there are others that think so too. Duplicating services without cause is also a
sin.
We need someone who will not just shrug their shoulders when
confronted with a $1.3 Million dollar overtime bill. If a Judge refuses to release a sick prisoner
in need of expensive medical care – I know of no law, rule or regulation that
says you can’t sit down with that person over a cup of coffee and informally
discuss it with them. The $27,000 in
overtime is only the tip of the iceberg.
How much was ECMC paid? What was
the OT cost to backfill the jail? Larry
Scholes would have been sitting at that Judges Kitchen table!
The vast majority of his “record” claims are for things that
were set up, initiated and implemented by previous Sheriff’s including the
revenue brought in. Any person who would have discontinued programs that put
the revenue stream in jeopardy would have committed political suicide.
There is more but I think you get the message.
We only have one chance to correct this. The choice is clear and will not be repeated.
The status quo is unacceptable. Walter
Mackney has pledged to promote financial responsibility. He’s a doer not a dreamer nor is he
delusional. His “record”, as supported by the overwhelming testament of law
enforcement sources across Western New York, is self explanatory.
We’re losing population at an alarming rate. Property and
sales taxes are too high. Industry is
leaving and good paying jobs are hard to find. People are struggling to make
ends meet. The outcome of the Sheriff’s race will not change any of this
overnight. It’s a positive step though in the right direction.
Please vote for Walter Mackney on Thursday, September 13th!
Polls are open from Noon to 9 PM.
Thank you,
Karl Graves,
Wellsville, New York
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Hey Karl - Just read your letter for Walter and would like
some answers before I vote.
You stated that "good paying jobs are hard to
find." I ask again - is it right for someone making well over $100,000 tax
free state pension to take one of these good paying jobs? Why are the younger
people leaving, Karl? That would be Duh.
I read all these testimonials from "around the
state" - and a picture of Walter with Steuben County officials. I guess
the question here is - if Walter is such a great guy, why are they not
recruiting him for their county.
So many things just don't fit well into the puzzle. I'm all
for "if it ain't broke...." If we could count on an upgrade - but you
said yourself, it can't be fixed overnight. How long will it take? As a
legislator, isn't that what you're elected to do??
Buy me a coffee, Karl and we'll hash things over and solve
all these problems. Maybe we'll need two cups.
Bill Locke
