Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Thank you

After many months on the campaign trail, the hard work has paid off. Last night the voters of this great River District chose me as their Assemblywoman. I cannot tell you how honored I am to have been elected. Thanks go out to so many people, hundreds, who worked on this campaign, making calls, knocking on doors, putting up signs, hosting meet and greets, and so many other things. Your generosity of time and resources will remain with me for life.

As we have traversed this large district day after day, right up to, and including election day, when I went from town to town checking on voter turnout right up to the close of polls, I couldn't stop thinking about the great people of the North Country. Whether you voted for me or for my opponents, I thank you for exercising this important right. And whether you supported me or not, please know that I will be your Assemblywoman and work for everyone, regardless of party. It will be my honor to do so and I look forward to getting to work.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
-Addie

Monday, November 3, 2008

Final Hours

Well, this is it. The final hours. I have spent the last two days on my community tour, stopping at diners, dinners, gas stations, grocery stores, and other venues meeting more and more voters. I've had a lot of great conversations with many people. It has been a truly exhilarating experience for me and has given me a huge adrenalin shot. Why? Because rather than the announced campaign meet and greets, speaking engagements, and other 'scheduled' appearances, I visited with people who had a lot on their minds, those who traditionally voted for the other party, and those who were concerned about our future and needed to let me know about it. And you know what? I had the chance to really talk to them about all of these things and they had the chance to see that I really understand the tough economic times we're in. They shared their pain of trying to make ends meet, worried about their jobs, or trying to find a new one because of being laid off. I knew what they were going through and shared with them my family stories. I talked about my plans to bring better jobs to our area and my vision for our future.

As I stood at those markets and gas stations, I could see what's really needed - more people being able to make purchases, which brings in necessary revenue for these small businesses to be able to operate. That's what they need and they need it now, not just a few hundred dollars in tax credits in April. Businesses can only survive if people have money in their pockets to spend it. And not just a couple of dollars more, but a steady increased wage. Hard working people deserve good pay. Its the only way to restart our economic engine.

Aside from those stops, I had the honor to visit a 101-year old woman in Alexandria Bay who still lived in the house she was born in! She was a delight to meet and to talk with. She's voted since she was about 18 or 19 so you can imagine how many candidates she's voted for in her lifetime.

Thanks to all who met me out on the trail and those who helped organize activities along the way. I'll be swinging through Canton, Potsdam, Antwerp, Philly, Theresa, Pamilia, and finally ending up in Watertown tonight at the State Office Building. Then on election day, I'll vote in Theresa, and spend some time with family before making one more swing throught the entire district before ending up in Canton when polls close, and then driving back to Watertown for the returns.

If there is anyone who I didn't get a chance to meet, please know that we did our best to be in every district numerous times from June through November and that they can always call my office at 777-4900 and I will certainly give you a call back.

Please remember to vote on Tuesday.

I ask for your vote so I can be your Assemblywoman and I promise I'll work hard for you each and every day.

May all the best come to you,
-Addie

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Community Tour

With five days left, we're all working hard to make sure our message is out. I'm going to hold a press conference today to talk about my support for minimum wage increases so that workers here in our area can make a better wage. That's really what it's all about - putting dollars in the pockets of our working families so that they can buy things they need like groceries and clothes for their kids. And that helps our economy more than anything else - people being able to spend money so that our local business have revenue coming in the door. This is the cornerstone of American economic policy.

We've also announced a weekend community tour that will continue through Monday night. On the main page of my website, you'll find the schedule. I hope you'll take the opportunity to come out and talk with me, ask questions, and support our campaign. We'll hit 23 locations in three days. Its my last chance to get to every single town and village in the River District.

I hope to see you somewhere on the campaign trail this weekend.
-Addie

Monday, October 20, 2008

Ecomomy, Debate and More

The economy is on the minds of Northern New Yorkers. Walking door-to-door, talking with folks from all over the district, has brought up many good questions about where our country, state, and localities are headed. This is going to be my focus if I get the opportunity to represent the River District in Albany. Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to address this issue in a candidate forum at the Northside Improvement League in Watertown, hosted by AAUW. John Deans did a fantastic job of moderating the debate, asking the questions that were on the minds of North Country residents. Issues ranged from renewable energy and the need to keep more of the energy created in the North Country local in order to power homes and businesses, reducing taxes, and creating jobs. I thank the other candidates for participating in this forum and look forward to addressing the issues with them again tonight at Snell Hall on the Clarkson University Campus in Potsdam.

See you somewhere along the campaign trail.
-Addie

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Constituents, Colleges, and Candidate Forums

These past weeks, I've been in every corner of the district, meeting lots of folks who are struggling to make ends meet each month. The national financial crisis has certainly made its impact here. That's why I think it is so important to bring more good-paying jobs to the North Country and to take advantage of our great colleges and universities. I've met with the leaders of those institutions and they are anxious to partner with New York State to create opportunities for new businesses to locate here. I am ready to work with them to promote these opportunities.

We opened our Canton office recently and have had a tremendous outpouring of help - volunteers calling to get yard signs or to help in any way. That is very humbling, and my message to them is that I'll work hard every day as their Assemblywoman because they are working hard every day on my campaign. I can't thank them enough.

The St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee held their Annual Dinner on Tuesday night, honoring Labor. I've been blessed to receive the endorsement of many Labor organizations around the District and held a press conference to formally thank them. Those organizations represent many employees around the North Country and hard-working trades laborers who produce high-quality work, on-time and within budget. They know they will have a representative who will listen to their concerns and fight for fairness in Albany.

I will be participating in the first of three candidate forums. This one will be at 7PM Tonight (Thursday, October 16th) at the Northside Improvement League. I hope that many of you will come out to support me and to listen to my ideas and how I want to lead this district as Assemblywoman. Next week there is another on October 22nd at Clarkson University and then in Massena on the 23rd.

See you tonight or somewhere along the campaign trail.
-Addie

Sunday, September 21, 2008

A Great Weekend

We wrapped up a great weekend of fundraising events. Saturday, we had a nice crowd in Clayton for a pig roast and some great music from Mike White. This event was for Darrel and me and the food was delicious. I had a chance to meet some new friends as well as to see some long time friends and supporters. Darrel gave a great speech about changing the way the Legislature does business and that is what we're going to do. Partisanship shouldn't get in the way of good policymaking and I couldn't agree more.

Today, the weather cleared and we boarded the Bonnie Belle for a beatiful cruise on the St. Lawrence River. Again, I met more new friends and supporters but I also had a chance to bring along Jamie and Aaron. The Blogger ABAY CIRCUS, aka Mr. Cummings joined us today (he was also at the Pig Roast yesterday. DANGER DEMOCRAT, aka Ted Ford also attended both events. As we cruised down the River, I talked about the importance of the St. Lawrence as an asset to the district and how we must continue to promote tourism as a principle industry in the North Country. Thanks to all for coming out to support me.

I'll be sure to let everyone know through my blog what the campaign is doing in the upcoming week and for the next six weeks. Thanks for visiting my blog.

See you on the campaign trail.

-Addie

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Pig Roast Saturday and a Boat Cruise Sunday

Hi Everyone,
I've been so busy meeting with people and groups from Massena to Cape Vincent that I haven't sat down to blog in a while. I promise to keep up with the blog, even if I just write a couple of sentences about where I have been, where I will be, and other interesting things that are happening on the campaign trail.

I have agreed to be interviewed for the Candidates Defined Project coordinated by Political IV and Danger Democrat. I believe that will be happening next week.

These past couple of weeks have been very intense, but so interesting as I have been touring our colleges and universities and talking about the important relationships we can build in our District with these institutions. Amid some wonderful house parties (THANKS everyone for hosting!) and the regular door to door visits I have been doing, I always try to make time for requests for community group meetings. If you know of a group that would like me to visit, please call the campaign HQ office at 777-4900. By the way, our Canton campaign office at 49 1/2 Main St. has opened up as well. Stop in and say hello and if you want to volunteer, we'd love your help.

I will be off to Clayton for a Pig Roast fundraiser for both Darrel and me today so if you have a chance, come on out for some great food and conversation.

On Sunday afternoon, we'll be boarding the Bonnie Belle at Bonnie Castle for another fundraiser. If you're in the mood for a beautiful cruise through the Thousand Islands and want to support my campaign, its only $30 per person or $50 per couple. The boat leaves at 4PM, so come and enjoy the scenery, some finger foods and there will be a cash bar as well.

I hope to see you all on the campaign trail.

-Addie