Opinions vs. facts

While I know the political season is heating up, the recent press conference held by one of the Democratic candidates looking to unseat Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, while well-orchestrated, was factually incorrect.

I personally toured with Congresswoman Hayworth after Hurricane Irene - Tropical Storm Lee and received her pledge to seek the funds needed for our community, especially for our farmers, who were devastated.

She had immediate contact with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to push for emergency aid, as well as to let farmers retroactively enroll in both crop insurance and the non-insured crop disaster assistance program.

She has also been an outspoken opponent of the implementation of the unpopular USDA Wetland Reserve Program here in the Black Dirt Region, and it was a meeting held by the Congresswoman that broke the logjam on getting critical work done in the Wallkill River.

As the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan said: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts.”

The facts are clear: Nan Hayworth has fought, and continues to fight, to help our farmers continue to be the economic engine that drives our local economy.

Michael P. Sweeton Warwick Town Supervisor