To the Editor:

Angelo Santabarbara has been an incredible champion and we are so fortunate to call him our assemblyman. I am a constituent and I have been an advocate/lobbyist for people with developmental disabilities (autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.), their families and their staff, for almost 25 years.

I work for the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State, and the Center for Disability Services is my local affiliate. Although there have been and are other legislators who are supportive of the needs of our most vulnerable New Yorkers, no one compares to the personal commitment, unwavering support, and advocacy of Angelo Santabarbara.

It is because of his commitment that Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State will be honoring Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara with our New York State Legislator of the Year award on Oct. 15 at our annual conference in Saratoga Springs. It is also the reason that the national Arc gave him their national award last year in San Diego, California.

Angelo is an extraordinary champion for all New Yorkers and especially the most vulnerable and those in his district.

Angelo’s passion extends to every aspect of his life and the lives of everyone in his district. “Tireless advocate” does not even begin to describe him and his staff. And it is not only advocacy. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara takes action and gets results.

This past January, when a local propane company left families in his district without heat, they will tell you that it was Assemblyman Santabarbara who got them a propane delivery.

Angelo Santabarbara continues to lead the fight for: legislation to protect propane customers; infrastructure investment in our communities with new bridges, roads, playgrounds; state investment in our public schools; our farmers; our veterans; health-care workers; retirees; people with disabilities their families and staff; as well as all concerns of his constituents,

And he continues to lead the fight against: National Grid rate hikes; unfair cable television rate hikes; and many other issues that negatively impacts our communities.

Prior to becoming a full-time legislator, he was an engineer and served our country in the United States Army Reserve. It is this background that has given Angelo the tools and the fire in belly, as they say, to listen to constituents’ needs and find solutions. Those of us who live in the 111th Assembly District are fortunate to have Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara as our champion in the New York State Assembly!

Barbara Crosier

East Berne