The Hamilton County Republican Committee hosted an array of 2014 candidates and elected officials for a Meet & Greet and informational forum at The Woods Inn at Inlet, on Sunday, June 8th.
The event included local Republican party members and others interested in government representation of the North Country.
Bill Osbourne, chairman of the country Republican committee, introduced the discussion forum portion and emceed throughout.
The keynote address was given by Chemung County Sheriff Chris Moss of Elmira, the Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
Moss will be on the ticket in November with Gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino.
Moss said he is no stranger to the Fulton Chain region, as his hunting and fishing activities have brought him to the Moose River and the Moose River Plains recreation area.
He said he was also introduced to the Enchanted Forest back in its pre-water park days.
Moss spoke of the need for change in New York State, particularly when it comes to the economy.
Too many people, young and old, have lost the incentive to stay and make New York the great state it once was, he said.
Moss also spoke of the strength of the ticket he shares with Rob Astorino, and Astorino’s competent as both a candidate and elected administrator.
Astorino currently serves as Westchester County Executive.
Also in Inlet were 21st Congressional District candidates Matt Doheny and Elise Stefanik.
A number of the audience questions were directed at these two Republicans, who will square off on Primary Day, June 24th.
Doheny, 43, emphasized his strengths as an experienced businessman. He is currently the President of North Country Capital, a Watertown company that he owns.
Stefanik, 29, highlighted her youthful approach to the problems of government and her previous experience in Washington, DC, as an employee of the recent Bush administration.
These two and other candidates and officials fielded questions on everything from neglected roads to funding education to broadband infrastructure.
They were asked about when the U.S. would start focusing on the needs of its citizens and stop trying to be nanny to the rest of the world.
They were asked about what can be done to cut the bureaucratic red tape that is strangling small businesses.
The answers predictable differed slightly, but predictably led to the same place: Elect Republicans.
Ken Nelson of Inlet publicly urged Doheny and Stefanik to each exit the race if they were to lose the Republican Primary.
He said third-party Republi-cans frequently turn out to be a Democrat’s best friend.
Both Doheny and Stefanik said they fully expect to win the primary, but each will reevaluate if they were to come up short.
Other Republicans at the discussion table were NYS Senator Hugh Farley and Assemblyman Marc Butler.
A number of Hamilton Country elected officials were also on hand, several handling the introduction of guest speakers.