To the Editor:

I wish to thank the editors for their recent support for community gardens. This is a part of the policies supported by James Cohen for Albany County Legislator

 I would also suggest that small family farms be encouraged by the town and county. As crops fail in various parts of the country, local self-reliant and self-sustained farm products becomes increasingly important.

On a related subject, James Cohen also supports various actions to remediate climate changes including flash flooding. James Cohen will help the area comply with the new Climate Smart Communities program, receiving funds for disaster preparedness.

I feel it is time to support sensible spending of taxpayers’ monies to ease their tax burden. The reduction of legislators and other public administrators where prudent would be sensible. James Cohen supports this idea. The Albany County jail is planning to house the homeless and applied for grant monies from the state.

His opponent, Mark Grimm, has often supported lowering expenditures where they are indispensable.  Library funding, as libraries are becoming community centers, being one of these.

Mr. Grimm delights in taking credit for lowering county tax rates even when they are proposals of the Democratic majority. Grimm speaks from both sides of his mouth. He has voted for pretty much all of the expenditures that have gone through the legislature.

Just being part of the legislature doesn't mean he has proposed these savings. Voters in Guilderland should be aware of this and support James Cohen in his bid to represent this area in the county legislature. Go to “James Cohen for County Legislature” on Facebook for more information. Thank you.

David Cornelius

Guilderland

Editor’s note: Mark Grimm responded, “I’ve been the strongest proponent of tax relief in the legislature.” He also gave examples of measures he had voted against, including further funding for the Albany County Land Bank, and a grant for Albany youth that lacked specificity.

David Cornelius is a member of the Guilderland Democratic Committee.