To the Editor:

Primary Day is coming up fast — it’s moved up to June 25 this year and I hope everyone puts this date on their calendar and remembers to vote. There are several important races and many great candidates this year, including in the Albany County Comptroller race.

Albany County Comptroller is not a glamorous position but the comptroller has a very important role in our government. According to the Albany County website, the county comptroller is “the people’s watchdog. The office provides oversight and leadership into the financial affairs of Albany County. The Comptroller is the County’s chief financial officer, conducting departmental audits and ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of information about the County’s finances.”

The people need and deserve a highly qualified and independent comptroller who will save our tax dollars. There is one candidate that stands out and deserves our support.

Sue Rizzo comes from the private sector. She has an accounting background and 30 years of experience in the business world. As the city of Albany’s comptroller, she has been a star and has saved hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Sue and have heard her speak about accounting and auditing and her passion for saving money and eliminating wasteful spending. She is a true professional. She has been a successful businesswoman most of her career and not a politician.

I am sure she does not have to run for county comptroller and expose herself to all the unfair political attacks that ruin our local politics. She could stay on as the city of Albany’s comptroller or go back to her nice comfortable life and make money in the private sector but she has a passion for service and for Albany County.

Her Facebook page, Sue Rizzo for Albany County Comptroller, is filled with posts showing her knocking on doors and meeting people all over Guilderland and every corner of Albany County, spreading the word about her commitment to financial responsibility and her vision for Albany County.  Imagine putting someone to work for us who has all that energy, commitment, and financial expertise.

Sue Rizzo would be the first woman to be elected as comptroller for Albany County but that is not why I support her — I support her because she is the best person of any gender for the job. Sue Rizzo is seeking the Democratic nomination for Albany County Comptroller because she is the most qualified candidate for the job.

She has the financial expertise, integrity, and independence that will make her a great watchdog for the people!

Christine M. Napierski

Guilderland