U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, center, speaks during Supe with the Supervisor at Kingsboro Towers in Gloversville on July 31. From left, Gloversville 4th Ward Supervisor Charles Potter, Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino, Sen. James Tedisco, and Assemblyman Robert Smullen look on. Dusten Rader/Express Editor
By DUSTEN RADER
Express Editor
GLOVERSVILLE — In an attempt to better know their constituents, Republican officials gathered around the table on July 31.
The “third time’s the charm” for Gloversville 4th Ward Supervisor Charles Potter’s Supe with the Supervisor informational event as U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik stopped by to serve some patriotic dessert. Serving up soup to Kingsboro Tower residents were Sen. James Tedisco, Assemblyman Robert Smullen, and Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino.
“In this third part of the series we’re going to talk about the different levels of government,” Potter said. “Who doesn’t like soup?”
Potter introduced each speaker, starting with Giardino, followed by Smullen, Tedisco, and Stefanik. Potter said he was “extremely appreciative” to have Stefanik attend, and said it “shows her connection” to Fulton County.
The event was one stop of many for Stefanik, who also toured Broadalbin Manufacturing and attended a Harry Potter-themed celebration in the City of Johnstown.
“I’m really excited to be in Fulton County today in Gloversville, Broadalbin, and Johnstown,” Stefanik said. “My number one job is constituent services, and I know that’s a top priority for our seniors. Whether that’s social security benefits or questions regarding Medicare — my office is here to serve you. … If you’re having challenges with either of those two Federal programs, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.”
Stefanik said there are more veterans in her congressional district, the 21st, than any other in New York State. She also offered her support to veterans by asking them to contact her office about VA benefits.
She said her priorities are the Older Americans Act, jobs, retirement security, and quality and affordability of health care.
Stefanik also took questions from attendees. She touched on the “challenge” of working with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and how she is “running very far to the left.”
“There are some newly-elected Democrats that are not representative of common sense values that I think are reflective of upstate New York,” Stefanik said. “… It has been frustrating. But, I have been able to continue to have wins for the district.”
Stefanik commended Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson. She said her priorities are affordable housing for seniors, youth, and rural housing.
Stefanik also spoke about “The Squad” — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York; Illhan Omar, Minnesota; Ayanna Pressley, Massachusetts; and Rashida Tlaib, Michigan — which she called “four new very-far left” Democrat representatives “who have taken up a lot of the media oxygen.”
“They have not really wanted to work with some of the centrist Democrats and they do not want to work with the Republicans,” Stefanik said. “It’s been a little bit frustrating to see some of their rhetoric and I don’t think their policies are the right approach for the country or this region. … They seem to be very loud with very little results.”
One attendee asked about the “crazy Medicare For All cry,” to which Stefanik responded, “I don’t support Medicare For All.” She said the focus should be on lowering health care costs and improving quality and access.
“Medicare For All is going to cost over a trillion dollars of tax payers and I don’t think we should move in a direction of government-run health care,” Stefanik said. “… Look at the challenges with the VA, with the wait times and quality. We are spending more on veterans care than we ever have before and yet we still see challenges with bureaucracy.”
Following her speech, Stefanik met one on one with constituents and offered each a red, white, and blue patriotic-themed sugar cookie made by Cravings of Gloversville.
Tedisco made an appeal for bipartisanship, entreating Republicans and Democrats to come together to work for the people.
“Somehow we’ve got to come together as both sides — it shouldn’t be Democrat, Republican, Independent, Conservative — it should be what’s in the best interest of the people,” Tedisco said.
Tedisco also invoked the name of the beloved Sen. Hugh Farley, saying that they had “wonderful” times together. He shared a memory of marching in parades with Farley, recalling a joke about how being behind the horses was an indicator of whether it would be a good election year.
“The best way that we can be successful is to work as a team, no matter what the party, local, state or Federal,” Tedisco said. “The best lesson you can learn from a team is that the individual doesn’t care who gets the credit. Then the team and the individual can achieve unbelievable successes.”
Tedisco pointed to two bills, Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage and Elderly Dental Insurance Coverage, which he said would be staggered based on income level.
“I’m not opposed to investing in our constituents when I think it’s going to help them keep us safe,” Tedisco said.
Newly-elected Smullen called it an ‘honor’ to be able to serve his constituents.
“I’m so pleased to have just done my first legislative session in Albany on your behalf,” Smullen said. “I’m on five different committees: Economic Development, Children and Families, Libraries, Banks, and Environmental Conservation. I’m here to listen … and to do the very best we can for our people here in Fulton County.”
Giardino thanked Potter for being ‘engaged’ in the community and for hosting the event. He also thanked constituents for re-electing him in the Primary held in June.
Giardino addressed several issues facing law enforcement, including the no bail provision.
“We can’t set cash bail on them, we have to let them go,” Giardino said.
He also explained to residents why he plans to seek to hire a corporal in via the next county budget.
The soup served — Yankee pot roast and chicken noodle — was made by Vintage Cafe in Johnstown. Residents dipped buttered rolls in their soup made by Mendetta’s of Gloversville. Potter’s wife, Kayla, also volunteered again this year.
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