Auburn and Cayuga County speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Oct. 2, 2026
- Updated
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Citizen.
- Lee Epprecht
- Updated
This is the first time I have ever involved myself in supporting a political candidate. But this one matters on a visceral level. Ben Susman is running for Cayuga County judge.
I meet Ben four years ago in his office with my daughter and grandson. The way he approaches a case demonstrates that he lives by his campaign platform. Not only does he say, "What is in the best interest of the child?" He approaches his cases in a way that gets those results. He demonstrates that he is passionate about getting the best outcome for the child. The child is the center of the case.
- The Rev. Benjamin Fitzgerald-Fye
- Updated
I often wonder how many people in Cayuga County could be fed or housed or rescued from utility shutoffs or clothed or given health care with the money used to send political mail.
That's it. That's the letter.
- David Schenck
- Updated
Chris Valdina is and has been an honest, hardworking key member of the Cayuga County District Attorney's Office for many years.
His tireless efforts for our county knew no task too small or too large to fairly represent our residents regardless of political party, social status or ethnicity.
- Traditional Gayogoh贸:no鈥 (Cayuga) Nation Council Chiefs and Clan Mothers
- Updated
The federal court has now ruled on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act claims before it in the Pipekeepers litigation. We respect the judicial process and the court鈥檚 decision.
But a court decision does not have to be the end of the conversation among Cayuga people.
- Patty LeBlanc
- Updated
Immigrant neighbors are being detained and deported right here in Auburn and Cayuga County. Regardless of immigration status, these are people who live among us, work alongside us, raise families here, and contribute to our community.
Cayuga County has at least 2,000 immigrants. While the number who are undocumented is unknown, we do know that immigrants are an important part of our local economy. Cayuga County is New York鈥檚 leading agricultural-producing county, with more than $356 million in agricultural sales in 2024, including $320.8 million in milk sales. Our dairy farms require a reliable, year-round workforce, and immigrant workers are an important part of that workforce.
- Mary Furlong
- Updated
I would like to ask my Republican neighbors in the 24th Congressional District a few questions.
What do you think Claudia Tenney has done to deserve your vote? She sends out lots of press releases but what has she actually accomplished? In the 119th Congress (2025-2026), Tenney created a total of 69 bills to date (out of 10,600-plus bills created). Only two have passed the House. They have not passed the Senate. One was to rename a post office in Avon. The other is called the End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. How many hostages are from the 24th district? The other 67 bills are still at the 鈥渋ntroduced鈥 stage, including H.R. 7410 and HR 8909, duplicates to change the Martville post office to the 鈥淪gt. Staret J. Engleston Memorial Post Office Building." I support this effort, but do we need two bills?
More like this...
- Lee Epprecht
This is the first time I have ever involved myself in supporting a political candidate. But this one matters on a visceral level. Ben Susman is running for Cayuga County judge.
I meet Ben four years ago in his office with my daughter and grandson. The way he approaches a case demonstrates that he lives by his campaign platform. Not only does he say, "What is in the best interest of the child?" He approaches his cases in a way that gets those results. He demonstrates that he is passionate about getting the best outcome for the child. The child is the center of the case.
- The Rev. Benjamin Fitzgerald-Fye
I often wonder how many people in Cayuga County could be fed or housed or rescued from utility shutoffs or clothed or given health care with the money used to send political mail.
That's it. That's the letter.
- David Schenck
Chris Valdina is and has been an honest, hardworking key member of the Cayuga County District Attorney's Office for many years.
His tireless efforts for our county knew no task too small or too large to fairly represent our residents regardless of political party, social status or ethnicity.
- Traditional Gayogoh贸:no鈥 (Cayuga) Nation Council Chiefs and Clan Mothers
The federal court has now ruled on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act claims before it in the Pipekeepers litigation. We respect the judicial process and the court鈥檚 decision.
But a court decision does not have to be the end of the conversation among Cayuga people.
- Patty LeBlanc
Immigrant neighbors are being detained and deported right here in Auburn and Cayuga County. Regardless of immigration status, these are people who live among us, work alongside us, raise families here, and contribute to our community.
Cayuga County has at least 2,000 immigrants. While the number who are undocumented is unknown, we do know that immigrants are an important part of our local economy. Cayuga County is New York鈥檚 leading agricultural-producing county, with more than $356 million in agricultural sales in 2024, including $320.8 million in milk sales. Our dairy farms require a reliable, year-round workforce, and immigrant workers are an important part of that workforce.
- Mary Furlong
I would like to ask my Republican neighbors in the 24th Congressional District a few questions.
What do you think Claudia Tenney has done to deserve your vote? She sends out lots of press releases but what has she actually accomplished? In the 119th Congress (2025-2026), Tenney created a total of 69 bills to date (out of 10,600-plus bills created). Only two have passed the House. They have not passed the Senate. One was to rename a post office in Avon. The other is called the End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. How many hostages are from the 24th district? The other 67 bills are still at the 鈥渋ntroduced鈥 stage, including H.R. 7410 and HR 8909, duplicates to change the Martville post office to the 鈥淪gt. Staret J. Engleston Memorial Post Office Building." I support this effort, but do we need two bills?
More like this...
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