Summit Should Speak Out on Syria, Democratic Council Candidate Says

The following is a letter to the editor:

Dear Editor: 

Summit has suffered severly. September 11th is a sad reminder of our lost sons and daughters, followed by what feels like a never ending series of wars. Enough is enough. We and communities like us have done our share.  We cannot police the world. It is time to be selfish and just police ourselves.

Although local government is a representative form of democracy it is incumbent on elected officials to make it as pure a democracy as possible. Your opinion matters – a great deal. Council should call an emergency town hall meeting so our residents can speak out on a subject with terrifying potential impacts. I would venture to say that close to 95 to 1, Summit would “vote” against military action in Syria. Such a venture could trigger frightening world-wide events, such as an Iranian attack on Israel, a re-start of the cold war with Russia and the potential of Al-Qaeda assuming control in Syria. We are drained. Our precious tax dollars are being frittered on meaningless wars and our people are being maimed and killed.

Council should then after such a meeting immediately send a resolution to Congress on our position.    

You can be certain that if I am elected to my former Ward 2 Council Seat, I will work diligently to ensure the opinions of our residents are not only listened to, but I will make every effort to provide the forums, including one on ones, to solicit your hopes, wants and needs..

Mike Vernotico

Democratic Candidate, Summit Common Council, Ward 2