Federal one-party control, local candidate disclosure criticized

Dear Editor,

In his recent column, Don Scott emphasized the value of a diversity of perspectives among elected officials at the local level ("The danger of one-party towns," May 7, Page 22).

I agree we are probably not better served when one party holds unchecked political power. At the national level, Republicans currently control the House, Senate and the Presidency. A bipartisan balance in Washington would provide checks and balances, and oversight. Instead, the majority of Republican elected officials have consistently deferred to President Donald Trump on major policy actions involving illegal tariffs, expanding the federal deficit, immigration enforcement, cuts to Social Security and Medicaid, reductions in scientific, educational, cultural and humanities funding, environmental regulatory rollbacks, downsizing the federal workforce, and other unilateral decisions that negatively and directly impact our communities. Accordingly, many local voters may hope the upcoming midterm elections return Democratic control of the House of Representatives. Whether local elections produce similar change is, of course, up to voters and their assessment of how well Bedford is being governed. Regardless of party affiliation, local elected officials should demonstrate transparency and integrity. Therefore, it is curious that Mr. Scott appears to have intentionally buried the lede and failed to disclose in his column that he is the Republican candidate for Bedford Town Supervisor. Bipartisan government is earned by candidates from voters. Transparency, on the other hand, is owed to voters from candidates.

-Jennifer Saine, Bedford Corners