Support for Stefanik from county leadership unwarranted
NEW YORK NIGHTS
We recently saw a piece on Spectrum News about Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr.’s efforts to combat the use of fentanyl. Picente has actively participated in the Oneida County Overdose Response Team and co-chairs the Oneida County Opioid Task Force. He spoke clearly of concrete plans he has to combat the spread of fentanyl and his comments about the effects of this deadly drug were cogent, powerful and right on target. Bravo.
Yet Mr. Picente’s strong efforts in this area make it all the more incomprehensible to us why he would so passionately endorse Rep. Elise Stefanik for governor. Of course, we get that he feels he has to support a fellow Republican, but he also must know that Stefanik would absolutely gut or reject any funding for his anti-fentanyl programs. She would only spend money on tax cuts for the obscenely wealthy.
Which dynamic is more important for your constituents, Mr. Picente? How can you show such admirable leadership in one area and such deferential cowardice in the other? Come on, Mr. Picente…show some spine and stand up for what you know is right. Lord knows Elise Stefanik won’t!
| Year | Letters | Published | Avg. | Avg. Wait Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | 3.0 |
| 2011 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | 5.0 |
| 2012 | 2 | 2 | 1.000 | 5.5 |
| 2013 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | 2.0 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | 3.0 |
| 2017 | 8 | 7 | .875 | 5.9 |
| 2018 | 8 | 7 | .875 | 5.1 |
| 2019 | 12 | 11 | .917 | 5.5 |
| 2020 | 16 | 10 | .625 | 7.1 |
| 2021 | 13 | 10 | .769 | 4.3 |
| 2022 | 13 | 11 | .846 | 2.0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 12 | .923 | 2.5 |
| 2024 | 26 | 13 | .500 | 3.4 |
| 2025 | 48 | 31 | .646 | 3.5 |
| 2026 | 56 | 33 | .589 | 4.2 |
| Career | 219 | 151 | .689 | 4.1 |
3 more needed for induction.