Editor, The Spotlight:
Thank you for your informative article “Dems: Go for Row E” Spotlight, Sept. 20 edition. I write in support of the excellent Town Board and Highway Superintendent candidates whom the Bethlehem Democratic Committee overwhelmingly endorses: Maureen Cunningham, Dan Coffey and Giles Wagoner and to explain how voters can support them and avoid being confused by the misleading statements and accusations of George Harder and Dan Morin, the two unendorsed candidates now appearing on the Democratic line.
The Democratic Committee took a principled position when it chose to endorse Coffey and Wagoner, whose names will only appear on the Working Families Party line in the upcoming election. Coffey and Wagoner have strong records as people who have served the Town of Bethlehem well in other positions of authority. Neither Harder nor Morin have a record of such service. Although Harder and Morin both claim to be Democrats who will work with Democrats, they baselessly accuse the Bethlehem Democrats of being a corrupt political machine, have repeatedly ignored the decisions of the overwhelming majority of the Bethlehem Democratic Committee and have eliminated the Democratic voters’ opportunity to choose candidates through the primary process with their successful lawsuit based on a legal technicality. Harder and Morin also maintain close relationships with Republicans and were reportedly present and seated at the table with Republican Town Supervisor candidate Gary Fish at his Sept. 14 fundraiser.
I urge all the voters of Bethlehem to look past party labels on Nov. 7 and vote for Maureen Cunningham on the Democratic line for Town Board, for Daniel Coffey on the Working Families line for Town Board, and for Giles Wagoner on the Working Families line for Highway Superintendent.
John Sherman,
Slingerlands