To the Editor:

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” — Dr. Martin Luther King.

It is with this shared sentiment that I support Brian McGarry for New York State Assemblyman representing the 111th Assembly District.

Candidate McGarry’s opponent, Angelo Santabarbara, has twice withheld his support for the “9-1-1 Bill” ((S6010/A8307 2015-16) and (S4736/A6830C 2017-18)). The bills were co-sponsored in the New York State Senate by Senator George Amedore in the 46th Senate District.

The legislation amends the social services law by requiring that occurrences of abuse, neglect, and criminal activity in state-run and state-certified group homes for the disabled be reported, by human services professional mandated reporters, to law-enforcement agencies that have the authority and legal standing to investigate and, where warranted, prosecute the offenders.

It increases the legal and civil penalties for failure to do so. The bill has been mired in committee review. Meanwhile the rights and safety of those who cannot defend or speak for themselves remain under assault.

With recent reports of neglect, abuse, and criminal activity occurring at and levels 2 and 3 convicted sex offenders residing in some New York State group homes, it is imperative that the “9-1-1 Bill” be passed into law post haste.

Brian McGarry supports the prompt passage of the “9-1-1” legislation by the New York State Legislature. Mr. McGarry has pledged that when elected, he will be a tireless advocate for society’s most vulnerable citizens.

Brad Littlefield

Pittsboro, North Carolina

Editor’s note: Brian Littlefield, a former resident of the Capital District, campaigned for elected office with Brian McGarry in 2009 on an independent ballot line.