Dear Editor:
I have lived in New Paltz for about a decade now and can say without hesitation that I believe New Paltz is one of the greatest places not just in the Hudson Valley but in our country. My love for our community and my longing to see it improve was the main reason I chose to run for public office when I was still attending high school. Being elected at such a young age has given me the chance to meet a number of elected officials across our state and nation. A number of those people I admired so much that I chose to work on their campaigns helping organize and attending their events, making phone calls, knocking on doors, etc. I have always felt that citizens should take an active role in democracy. Yet, through it all I have never written an endorsement letter for a candidate seeking office until today.
With all due respect to the other candidates seeking the position of Mayor of New Paltz, one candidate clearly rises above the rest. He does so much so that for the first time I felt it necessary to write a letter of support. That candidates name is Jason West.
It is truly rare to find someone that exemplifies all the things that make New Paltz great, not just in candidates for public office, but in our community as a whole.
Jason is the walking example of why New Paltz is as such an incredible place. Jason cares about the environment, he cares about open government and public participation, he cares about our local business owners, about the students, and everything else that makes us so unique. He understands that the job is as much about pot holes as it is about solar panels and he has no qualms about and excels at taking care of both.
Jason understands that New Paltz is not the cheapest place to live in and he wants to fix that through creative thinking and green technologies. He will work, as he has done in office and out of it, tirelessly to improve our community. Jason has never shied away from the tough questions and he has proven before that he will stand up for what he believes in. I have had the opportunity to call Jason my friend and my mentor and now I am looking forward to calling him my Mayor. I urge you all to come out and vote for Jason West on May 3.
Daniel Torres
New Paltz