To the Editor:

I am writing to urge fellow residents to vote on Nov. 5. Though it’s an off-year election, there are many important races, including Albany County’s Legislative District 31 (Altamont, Guilderland Center, and parts of Knox and Berne).

I’m supporting Fran Porter, who is a first-time candidate for public office with a wealth of public-policy knowledge and experience in human services. She has had a long and distinguished career in New York State government and held leadership positions at the State Office for the Aging and Department of Health in nutrition programs.

Fran’s career has been about helping people and ensuring that the programs she has administered were run effectively and efficiently. She will bring that same competence to the Albany County Legislature.

Fran is a 30-year resident of Altamont and has a real sense of the resource needs in our area. She feels that too often the unique needs of the residents of western Albany County are not being fully met and that county resources should be fairly distributed.

At the same time, I know that Fran recognizes the need for keeping property taxes from being burdensome and she will work with the county legislature to make sure that the property tax is kept within the 2-percent cap.

In speaking with Fran, I have been impressed with the work she has put into understanding the workings of the county legislature and the alliances she has forged with representatives in neighboring districts. I believe that Fran will bring focus, determination, and commitment to district residents when elected County Legislator. Please join me in voting for Fran Porter on Nov. 5.

Laura Shore

Altamont