Elect private-sector candidate to 61st Senate seat

State Sen. Mary Lou Rath has made a large sacrifice for the people in the 61st District as well as the upstate region. But her decision not to seek re-election gives us the opportunity to send a fresh face to Albany. This opportunity does not come often in the elected positions of New York state.

This opportunity is much like the one we had last November in Erie County. Elect an individual from the private sector with fiscal management experience who is representing us, not for the trappings of the office, but instead for the good of the community.

Given this unique opportunity, let's make sure a career politician from an already dysfunctional branch of the government does not take this seat. There is no argument we are not happy with the situation in Albany. So elect someone who has struggled with the burdensome regulations and excessive government but has no political baggage. The only way to break the Albany stranglehold is to finally elect a different kind of leader. Let's not miss this chance.
Jim McGee
Tonawanda