McCracken impressed me long before politics

Dear Editor,

I was first introduced to Tanner McCracken long before he ever ran for office.

About nine years ago, I was standing in line at DeCicco’s in Jefferson Valley with two of my daughters. Right next to the store is Jefferson Village, a large senior community, and I noticed that almost every senior citizen in the store seemed to be waiting on one specific checkout line.

I remember wondering why.

As I got closer, I realized it was because of the young man working the register. He was talking with the seniors, making them laugh, asking about their grandchildren, checking on how they were feeling, and greeting many of them by name. He would say to “welcome home” and “you are not forgotten” to veterans. He made those people feel valued. He brightened their day just by the way he treated them.

That young man was 17-year-old Tanner McCracken.

Tanner stood out. He carried himself with maturity, kindness and respect beyond his years. He was polite, hardworking, clean-cut and genuinely cared about people — especially senior citizens. I remember leaving that store and telling my daughters that this young man was destined for bigger things one day.

Years later, when I learned Tanner was running for the Mahopac school board, I immediately supported him because I already knew the type of person he was. Since then, I have watched him follow through on the same qualities I saw in that grocery store line all those years ago.

In today’s world, character matters. Integrity matters. The example we set for the next generation matters.

Tanner McCracken was raised the right way. He is a respectful young man who loves his community, serves others before himself, stays out of trouble and carries himself with professionalism and class. I found out that he has never had a drop of alcohol his entire life. He represents the kind of next-generation leadership Putnam County desperately needs more of.

I was born and raised in Putnam County. My four children were raised here, and now my grandson is being raised here. I cannot think of a better example for the next generation of young people growing up in our community than Tanner McCracken. That’s why he has my family’s vote for County Legislator in the upcoming June 23 Republican primary.

-Susan Lindquist, Mahopac