To the editor:

Thank you, Elise Stefanik! Your steadfast loyalty to serving the NY-21 congressional district speaks volumes to your priorities. The many open forums, town meetings and timely responses to your constituent inquiries are exemplary. Your record on environmental issues is well respected among your constituents and colleagues.

Elise has worked hard, in her bipartisan actions, to protect our environment. She co-sponsored and helped pass the Great American Outdoors Act into law. This is the biggest win for conservation in a generation, and it ensures that the Land and Water Conservation Fund can continue to protect our lands and water for decades to come!

While Tedra is busy attacking Elise for defending our American values, Elise is hyper-focused on supporting our North Country communities and delivering results to the North Country.

Elise’s initiatives to improve the North Country economy, even in the face of the COVID-19, have been successful. In fact, all throughout New York state, including the North Country, there has been a resurgence of jobs, in large measure to her strong advocacy for economic growth.

¯ Elise brought $4.5 million to improve safety at Watertown International Airport. Improving access to transportation is key to improving North Country’s booming tourism industry and creating jobs throughout the region.

¯ Elise secured over $2.5 million in Northern Border Regional Commission grants, including funds for almost every county in NY-21. This is a huge win for the North Country and will go toward revitalizing and improving infrastructure here.

¯ Elise hosted a roundtable event with local leaders in Lewis County discussing our efforts to combat the opioid and heroin epidemic. She is a member of the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force and continues to support legislation that gives money directly to our community leaders to fight this battle.

¯ Elise was invited to participate in the Back the Blue car parade in St. Lawrence County. The North Country embraces and relies on our law enforcement, and we know that they have strong ties with our communities across this district. Elise supports increased resources and training for our law enforcement and community service providers.

As a policymaker, Elise also is strongly committed to combatting Russian “sweeping and systematic” interference in the United States electoral process, and she has introduced several legislative proposals to do so.

Elise Stefanik is determined to ensure that the top priorities of the North Country have a seat at the table, whether there are issues related to the northern border, workforce development, rural health care, rural broadband or ensuring support for state and local governments. 

Elise Stefanik is a strong, independent voice advocating for the North Country in Congress and has worked hard to deliver REAL RESULTS in Washington for NY-21.

I point out all of the above as Elise’s successes over the last four years. Readers should be made aware of the good she does for all in NY-21.

Keith Wells

Saranac Lake