Letter: Write-in Vote For Fleming In Putnam Conservative Primary

To the editor:

I have lived in Putnam County for 28 years. I’m a lifelong member of the Conservative Party. I’m writing in Maureen Fleming for Putnam County Executive in our Primary on Thursday, September 13, and I want to encourage my fellow Conservative Party member to do the same thing. Here’s why.

Over the years, I’ve watched as Putnam Republicans have overrun our party, pushing their candidates on us as if we were nothing but a branch of their party. We’re not. I’m tired of them working behind the scenes with our party leadership, then telling us who we should back. We should be able to choose the candidates that we think represent us.

Since MaryEllen Odell took office in 2011, she has twisted our party values, our goals, and our choices into ones that best suit her needs and her party’s needs. She talks big on issues she can’t influence as County Executive, like abortion and gun rights, to distract us from her rampant spending.

We know that one of the major Conservative platform planks is fiscal conservatism. MaryEllen Odell knows nothing about being a fiscal conservative. She borrows and spends with impunity, and wastes our tax dollars. Her record, time and time again, proves that.

MaryEllen Odell has continued to prioritize her needs over the taxpayers' needs. She’s appointed her friends, supporters and their relatives to county jobs. She’s given herself and her staff raise after raise. She has grossly overspent, and borrowed to support her spending habit. Putnam County residents are footing the bill. We can’t afford four more years of MaryEllen Odell.

On Thursday, September 13th , our party can choose our own candidate for ourselves. I’m choosing Maureen Fleming because I live in Kent and she has never raised my Town taxes. Maureen has integrity, good intentions, and a record of slashing unnecessary spending.

It is time to drain the local swamp !

Please join me in writing in Maureen Fleming on primary day.

Paul Roncallo