Salvatore leadership on display on safety

Gun buyback programs save lives. Thanks to Undersheriff Jackie Salvatore’s leadership, Columbia County held its first-ever gun buyback, offering residents a voluntary and safe way to dispose of unwanted firearms. It’s a sensible effort that helps prevent accidental shootings, suicides and guns from falling into the wrong hands, such as those of children.

Every year in America, we face the heartbreak of hundreds of mass shootings — tragedies that leave families shattered and communities traumatized. While no single program can end gun violence, initiatives like this make a real difference. They show that local law enforcement can be proactive, compassionate and community-focused.

Undersheriff Salvatore’s work displays the kind of leadership we need more of — focused on safety, responsibility and prevention rather than politics or party lines. Columbia County’s first gun buyback should not be the last. It should mark the beginning of a continual effort to reduce the number of guns circulating in our homes and neighborhoods.

We all have a part to play in making our communities safer. Jackie Salvatore understands that. She’s dedicated her life to keeping us safe. She’ll be an excellent sheriff. She deserves your vote on Nov. 4.

Laura Griffin

Valatie

Quinn dedicated to residents of Ghent

I am writing to support Carl Quinn in his bid to represent the people of Ghent in the 2025 race for Ghent Town Council.

I have had the privilege of knowing Carl on a professional and personal level for many years. I know he will work tirelessly for all the citizens of Ghent, regardless of political affiliation or socio-economic status.

I know this because I have worked side-by-side with him as he led our team to assist clients in need of services and support from a system that is often broken and full of roadblocks for people seeking help.

Carl’s tenacious yet respectful demeanor helped break down those barriers that led to people getting help and having the ability to improve their life.

In some cases, it saved their life.

Carl’s dedication to helping people is extraordinary. The processes and relationships he has developed with clients and providers ensures that the important work of helping gets done and done effectively.

I am fully confident that he will use his time, talents, and persistence to the best of his ability to represent the people of the town of Ghent.

Rebecca Alamillo

Ghent

Storming the Bastille

Can I indulge all you op-ed readers with a short medieval story? It’s so fresh and so 2025.

High on a hill, a castle, surrounded by darkness and hungry gators in the moat, lived a wannabe king. He thought he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. He could do anything he wanted.

For the villagers down in the valley, happiness was stripped away faster than you could say Jeffrey Epstein. Jobs were lost. Homes were torched. Clothes were like rags. Food was scarce. Slavery was a lifestyle. The wannabe king preyed on us with no remorse, simply because we called out his selfishness. In turn, he called his actions “retribution.”

He welcomed all the spineless who had wealth, power and a GED. These people were called “followers.” The lies and deceit were meant to pillage the village while he made millions on crypto.

The peasants, knowing democracy hung in the balance, heroically, unlike Jan. 6, 2021, stormed the Bastille and neutralized the wannabe king and his merry cast of pretenders.

As the gators devoured evil for lunch, the sun came out. The 2026 midterms were won. A real leader was found. The kingdom lived happily ever after.

Dave Barnes

Rotterdam

Niskayuna residents deserve better

No other municipality in the Capital Region is delinquent like Niskayuna. How can Niskayuna’s interim supervisor and town board plunge ahead with a 2026 budget when they have failed to submit the required-by-law audited financial statements for 2024 that were due last May? The budget worksheets show for the 2024 actuals unaudited revenues and expenses. Important 2024 financial statements are missing, leaving the taxpayers and residents with no meaningful information to determine exactly where Niskayuna stands at the end of 2024.

Critical balance sheet accounts are missing altogether. I’ll say it again — no other municipality in the Capital Region is delinquent like Niskayuna. This is outrageous and irresponsible. What are you hiding?

What exactly are the “new” water and sewer rates used to calculate the revenues for 2026? What did the administration use to calculate the increase in property tax revenues? Is it through increased assessments or increases in the property tax rate? Tell us please.

At the workshops, it was observed that there are detailed discussions around minutiae while significant increases are brushed over or skipped. I think we all can agree we deserve better than this.

Transparency and accountability are not dirty words.

Nora Galto

Niskayuna

Bilofsky is for Nisky

If you watched the League of Women Voters debate last week, you don’t need to read further. It was abundantly clear that we need to elect Sarah Bilofsky to the Niskayuna Town Board.

The job requires (1) a commitment to listen, (2) a sincere desire to solve problems, and (3) the persistence to follow through. Sarah is that person. When she sees a problem, rather than complain, she rolls up her sleeves.

When the girls’ softball fields were practically underwater, she secured state grant funding to completely reconstruct them.

When she learned that the Van Antwerp Drama Club had been discontinued, she organized a group of parents who reinstated the Club and produced the first musical in many years. These are just a few examples from a very long list.

Through years of service on the Town’s Zoning and Planning Boards, Sarah understands the legal requirements of development projects and the importance of taking residents’ concerns seriously.

As a former news reporter, and current business owner, she isn’t afraid to ask tough questions or to challenge the status quo.

On Nov. 4, elect Sarah Bilofsky to the Niskayuna Town Board. She will hit the ground running.

Julie McDonnell

Niskayuna

The writer is a former Niskayuna Town Board member.

Krajewski is all about community

I am writing in support of Jeremy Krajewski for Councilman-at-Large for Gloversville.

Jeremy’s lawn signs say, “It’s NOT politics, IT’s Community.” That is what drives Jeremy -- community. He has volunteered as chair of the Recreation Commission for the last 10 years bringing people downtown for many community events.

Those events are successful because of the work that Jeremy has put into organizing them. He works with the city’s department heads to make sure that the events run smoothly.

He is out there personally at every event troubleshooting and checking in with everyone, vendors and people attending the event, as the day goes on.

He does all this while managing a full-time job. Between his full-time job as manager of the Mohawk Harvest Cooperative Market and his work on the Recreation Commission, Jeremy has clearly demonstrated his........

© The Leader Herald