Monroe Democrats will ‘benefit the town'

To the editor: In response to Ward Brower’s letter of Oct. 21, I’d like to point out the following: 1. Vaccaro, Schwartz and Rios’s combined education and professional work experience (civil engineer, environmental and contract attorney, accounting/management) are valuable assets that can not be overlooked and should not be minimized. Such expertise will make the Town Board a more effective and efficient governing body and will greatly benefit the town. 2. Brower waves his attendance at board meetings as some kind of sanctimonious credential. What does attendance have to do with qualifications? If I watch a movie, does that mean I am a film producer? Knowing the issues (by working on volunteer boards, viewing the meetings, speaking with town officials and so on) and creating solutions to problems is the important thing. 3. Yes, the SaveMonroe organization has had several incarnations during its brief history. The latest one is the worst. It is no longer the truly non-partisan and democratic organization it used to be. Under the leadership of Theresa Budich and Bob Purdy, it has become an exclusionary and secretive clique - selecting its candidates from within its small steering committee, for example, rather than using advertising and interviewing others to find the best qualified people. These exclusionary and secretive tactics are the same characteristics that everyone despises about the present Town Board. 4. Brower plays loose with the facts. The primary results clearly show that Alicia Vaccaro trounced the Savemonroe candidates across all districts in the town. 5. Brower misleads. Ms. Budich is the only candidate from SaveMonroe who presently volunteers in the community. Mr. Brower forgets to mention that Ms. Budich’s tenure on the MW School Board has been marked by excessive tax increases, poor management of the Board of Education, and most regrettably, lower student performance. Jerome O’Connell, chairman Town of Monroe Democratic Committee Candidate Search Subcommittee