Permit me to share with the reader of this blog the letter I have today submitted to the New York Times, on their tepid endorsement in Democratic Primary for New York's 19th Congressional District.

To the Westchester Editor:

I was surprised by your endorsement in the 19th Congressional District and misleading understatement of John Hall’s clearly superior credentials for the Democratic nomination.

Mr. Hall is the only candidate in this primary to have served in public office, running—and winning—in three elections.

When Mr. Hall saw a floundering school district, unable to pass its budgets, he was elected to the school board, so impressing his fellow board members that they elected him President. With Mr. Hall’s leadership, the Board solved its budget problems.

Facing a threat to the unique environment of the Hudson Valley, Mr. Hall was elected to a county legislature, and helped write both environmental protection laws and local zoning laws.

In fact, Mr. Hall has repeatedly acted beyond his working life to accomplish numerous deeds for the public good.

All residents of the Hudson Valley must admire Mr. Hall’s way of taking personal responsibility to solve public problems. The only candidate in this race of any party with a record of achievement in public affairs before seeking a seat in Congress, Mr. Hall is more than “a forceful voice for his party’s ideals.” He is a sterling example of responsible independent citizen-activism.
Alan M. Goldston,
Chair, Democracy for Westchester
(Democracy for Westchester is an independent grassroots organization which has endorsed John Hall for Congress, and which is a participant in Democracy for New York and Democracy for America.)

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