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| Karen Patterson |
As a constituent of NY Senate District 57, I’ve seen Senator
Cathy Young in action many times over the years. Her dedication towards veterans is
unparalleled and commendable. As a
member of a public employees’ union, I’ve watched her vote many times to
protect the interests of our hard-working labor force. I’ve supported Senator Young for these
reasons and more, despite a difference in our political party affiliation. I’ve always felt she was moderate, fair, and
truly had the best interests of all New Yorkers at heart.
It's no wonder, then, that I am keenly disappointed in her
comments on the occasion of her swearing in on January 10.
No longer in the majority party in Albany, Sen. Young
suddenly seems eager to use divisive rhetoric of “us vs. them", defining
herself as an upstate NY champion rather than a senator for ALL New Yorkers,
and excoriating the “new political landscape.”
My greatest disappointment, though, is that she calls ideas
put forward by Democratic legislators as "extremist." We’ve come to
expect this from our Federal representative; apparently she's taking a page
from that distasteful playbook.
Clearly upstate and downstate have some differing needs but
just as clearly, we all live in this beautiful state, we all work hard, love
our families and friends and want to preserve and enhance the quality of life
for everyone. Those goals aren’t reached by dividing New Yorkers but by uniting
us.
Please Senator Young, remember that going forward.
Karen Patterson
Alfred, NY 14802
