To the editor:

I have been reading the Enterprise with all the comments about who would make the best legislator. I believe Cliff Donaldson would once again be the perfect choice.

Cliff cares deeply for “our” community. Thanks to Cliff and the other founding board members, we have a medical aircraft and support staff second to none. They worked to raise the $50,000 to help equip the first Life Flight helicopter with the special medical equipment that was needed for a helicopter. So this is my first reason, North Country Life Flight. The State Police own and provide the pilots for the helicopter, but it was private citizens and the founding board that worked tirelessly to achieve this wonderful asset for everyone.

Also what about Tendercare Tot Daycare Center on the grounds of Adirondack Correctional Facility. If my memory is right, Cliff worked on that board to help secure quality care for the young children and peace of mind for the parents. That’s my second reason.

Cliff also served on interview committees for two U.S. senators. He posed questions to high school seniors, determining which students would be best suited for the Air Force Academy, West Point, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy or the Naval Academy. Not an easy job, and my third reason.

Cliff always had and still does have a special place in his heart for senior citizens. During his time in the county legislature he worked closely with the Franklin County Office for the Aging to ensure that our seniors had the services they needed to live independently. He also wanted them to feel secure with knowledge that if a problem arose he was and still would be a fighter for them. That’s reason number four.

When the state of New York was studying the possible passage of a bill that would create the EPIC drug prescription program, once again Cliff was on top of it. He helped organize rallies and marches here in Franklin and other North Country sites as well. In the end the bill was passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor, thereby giving senior citizens the first drug program to give them some relief for the cost of high prescription drugs bills. Well that is number five of many more reasons.

Kind, caring, compassionate, easy to contact you bet! I urge the voters of both Harrietstown and Franklin to do the right thing and return Cliff Donaldson to the Franklin County legislature.

Thank you,

Linda Piro

Grand Island