Testimonials

Constituents Thank Joel for Representing Them

Miller gives his all for veterans’ rights

I would like to say thanks to state Assemblyman Joel Miller. He has done me many favors, one of which was having chirpers installed at an intersection controlled by red lights. It allows pedestrians to control lights so the elderly and blind can safely cross in traffic.

Miller’s staff is also well-versed in helping disabled veterans. They know where to go and what to do in a timely fashion. Miller is not only aware of the land and school tax problem that plagues all of us but has expressed positive solutions to ease the unrealistic tax burden.

Miller is our Assembly representative in Albany. He has fought for our benefit while others just draw their pay.

I have faith Miller will continue in his effort to help where he can any individual to solve any problem to the individual’s satisfaction. Miller deserves our vote - he works for us. As a blind veteran, I remind veterans Miller works for us, too.

William Stedman
Hyde Park

Miller at the forefront of Lyme awareness

I have been a facilitator for the Mid-Hudson Lyme Disease support group in Pleasant Valley for more than 20 years. Having state Assemblyman Joel Miller’s support in educating the public has been a great benefit to our mission.

Through his office, he has helped countless Lyme patients with problems regarding medical insurance and disability denials. He is one of a few elected officials in our area who has been an advocate for the Lyme community. He has taken the time to learn about this disease to help his constituents who suffer.

He has been a leader in the quest for reform within the Office of Professional Medical Conduct. The proposed reforms would benefit all medical providers. He holds an annual health fair, which I find most helpful for educating the public about tick-borne diseases.

I highly recommend we support Miller in his bid for re-election on Nov. 4.

Pat Smalley
Staatsburg

No one in Dutchess County has done more to bring greater awareness and benefits to those who suffer from Lyme disease than Assemblyman Joel Miller. I have constantly been in touch with Joel and his staff for years as I try to help people, like me, who have been afflicted with chronic Lyme disease. As a healthcare professional, Joel has been extremely knowledgeable and helpful in dealing with insurance companies who seem to care about nothing more than their bottom line.

With Joel Miller Dutchess County gets a real activist who is always willing to stand up and do what is right. He is a man of convictions and compassion – perfect to serve as our voice of reason in the state Legislature. On behalf of myself and all those who have worked to advance awareness regarding Lyme disease, please join me in returning Joel Miller to the Assembly.

Lia McCabe
Poughkeepsie, New York

Miller is concerned and has done good work for constituents

Joel Miller is a representative who gets things done. Whenever I have needed his or his staff’s help, they were there. I have asked Miller to aid me in my organization in delicate matters, and he never flinched. When I talk to other constituents, I hear the same.

Some politicians have one position and are not open to new ideas or facts. Not Miller; he always has an open mind and quickly becomes knowledgeable on the topic.

Miller uses facts and a realistic approach in office. He is aware every decision he makes affects his constituents. He is fiscally conservative at a time when we can all agree it is warranted. Miller has voted to cut taxes dozens of times, saving taxpayers considerable sums of money.

When excessive state spending was out of control, he fought to rein in state spending by voting against this year’s inflated state budget. When there is a fundamental need to secure funds, Miller has done it, with aid for local schools. Millions go without health insurance; that is why Miller made sure Child Health Insurance was available to 400,000 more children. I have been fortunate to watch Miller at work on issues involving seniors, women’s issues and custody and child welfare. I have no complaints.

It is important to have a representative respected by both parties. Miller has proven his expertise in working for us. Let’s keep it going.

Jennifer Shagan
Poughkeepsie, New York

Please join me in reelecting our Assemblyman Joel Miller. I’ve known Joel for more than 16 years. He is very concerned about his constituency. His recent grant received in 2006 allowed the Town of Clinton to construct a Dutchess County Sheriff Substation with an office and equipment storage area. This facility greatly improved the Deputies working conditions in the area and provided more Sheriff presence to the surrounding communities. It is because of Joel that Cablevision is back on Channel 6 for all area residents. He is out in the community to meet people at community days, school board meetings, and other events.

In Albany, Joel ably defends our views and works hard to enact change. By holding many local forums, he gets residents’ input to move forward legislation that meets their needs. Joel proposes to alter the funding of schools to a more equitable income-based system. He voted 46 times to cut taxes and fees. Joel worked to stop to the ill-conceived plan to give illegal immigrants driver’s licenses. His efforts to eliminate unfunded mandates from the state to local governments and school districts have not been popular in Albany, but are needed to keep local taxes under control. These are some of the issues and actions that Joel Miller has done and will continue to do when he is reelected. Let’s return Assemblyman Joel Miller to Albany with our vote.

Raymon Oberly
Former Town of Clinton Supervisor

The success of a Town hinges not only on the dedication of its elected officials and employees, but on the support it receives from senior officials. Senator Steve Saland and Assemblyman Joel Miller have steadfastly stood for the residents of Wappinger, both as individual leaders and as a team.

Whether it is an issue of constituent response, gaining support for a grant, or simply relying on them to help with a civic event, I know that the Senator and Assemblyman are ready, willing and able. This year, Joel Miller fought for much needed equipment to support the Town patrol vehicles, allowing them direct access to the County law enforcement database allowing instant response for the deputies patrolling our Town. Senator Saland, amongst numerous efforts, brought a large grant to support the failing infrastructure of the Village. When faced with a clerical error that almost cost Wappinger over $125,000 in highway funds, Steve Saland had the issue fixed within days.

But their efforts do not stop in administrative functions. Senator Saland and Assemblyman Miller have attended dozens of Wappinger events, from the inauguration of its local and county officials, to the recent September 11 memorial service. These are full-time public servants!

Wappinger has enjoyed the successful blend of experience, energy and bi-partisan efforts in its long relationship with Assemblyman Joel Miller and Senator Steve Saland. Let ensure our future is as promising as our history by again supporting this winning team.

Christopher Colsey, Supervisor
Town of Wappinger

Miller’s efforts to aid disabled are appreciated

Assemblyman Joel Miller attended an important autism conference hosting world-renowned speaker Dr. Michael Powers on Sept. 12 sponsored by the Hudson Valley Autism Society. It is not unusual I hear about Miller or his staff, discretely and privately advocating for families attempting to seek services for children, including those with special needs.

I spent the earlier part of the same week in Washington educating members of Congress from neighboring states about the needs to better compensate our nation’s direct support professionals.

Why not our congressional delegation? Because they are already well-educated and have signed onto this legislation. Miller has taken a strong role in providing this type of education, often calling upon Anderson Center for Autism for advice and education on the issues.

As an advocate for the rights of people with autism and developmental disabilities, I write this letter to personally thank him for his continued support of those individuals and note my organization’s name is used solely for identification purposes and no endorsement by the organization is implied.

Neil J. Pollack,
Chief Executive Officer
Anderson Center for Autism
Staatsburg

Miller is excellent in constituent service

There is no doubt in my mind Joel Miller is the assemblyman we should bring into office again.

Why would we need change when he has proved over and over that he works for the people? I trust him completely to decide and vote for the issues that are in our best interests.

When I was about to lose my small business, and all I had worked for in 28 years, and exhausted all my efforts with countless agencies to resolve what I was up against, I turned to Miller. Within a matter of days, he spoke to the interested parties, advised me what to do and was able to resolve the problem in a manner agreeable to all concerned.

He is truly a very caring individual and wants what is best for all of us. It did surprise me that he cares so much about the "little guy." Let’s keep him in office, where he belongs.

Carole Crusco
Hyde Park

Miller fights for rights, benefits of veterans

As a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans, I am proud to have Joel Miller as my assemblyman. He is a fellow veteran, having served in the U.S. Air Force. He understands the needs of veterans and fights for the right to make sure they receive the benefits they have earned and deserve.

Miller is an outspoken leader who stands up and fights for all of us. As more veterans are returning home, we need him as our representative to ensure they receive the best care and services. Join with me and vote to re-elect Miller as assemblyman.

Ron Leenig
Fishkill

Constituents’ interests top priority for Miller

State Assemblyman Joel Miller has earned our support. On the other hand, his opponent is trying to buy our support by spending significant sums of money on advertising and telephone surveys. In fact, in some of the literature from his opponent, he appears to be running against President Bush rather than Miller.

Miller follows his beliefs in striving to respond to constituent concerns, rather than pursuing self-serving political interests.

All of us who have met Miller are struck by his warmth and generosity, punctuated by strong actions taken on his constituents’ behalf, independent of which political party they belong to.

It is difficult to overstate these qualities because they are penetrating. Miller encourages all of us to fight for and achieve a vision of a better community tailored to local needs and concerns.

Miller’s track record and community outreach deserve our support. Whatever your political affiliation, vote for Miller, we need him in the New York State Assembly.

Ira Auerbach
Poughkeepsie

Pay equity issue not as simple as it seems

I always get a kick out of people like Alice Bunnell who buy in to the whole 77 cents myth. Bunnell claims Joel Miller is out of touch with the need for pay equity for the women of Dutchess County ("Miller won’t fight for pay equity for women," Oct. 18). However, it is people like Bunnell who are out of touch with, well, reality.

The reality is that the ratio of women earning 77 cents for every dollar that men earn does not compare men and women working the same job with the same amount of experience, the same amount of education, the same amount of tenure, and the same amount of productivity. The wage-gap ratio Bunnell refers to is simply a comparison of the median earnings of all working women and men who log at least 35 hours a week on the job, any job.

So why are the median earnings of all working women less than that of all working men? Factors include: more women choose lower-paying professions than men; they move in and out of the workforce more frequently; they tend to avoid jobs that require travel or relocation; and they take more time off and spend fewer hours in the office than men do. Men, on the other hand, disproportionately take on the dirtiest and most dangerous and depressing jobs. Discrimination may conceivably play a role in some workplaces, but individual preferences are the real root of the wage gap.

Jasen West
Red Hook

Linking Miller to Bush lame and inaccurate

I am outraged at the scurrilous mailer I received today from Jonathan Smith, candidate for state Assembly. Smith’s lame attempt to link Assemblyman Joel Miller to President Bush’s record and Washington politics is ridiculous at best, outrageous at worst.

When I read the mailer, I thought it was from a congressional candidate. I cannot recall a single vote Miller ever made on a congressional resolution. All of the "failures" cited by Smith have nothing to do with the state Assembly.

The fact is Miller has represented us very well in the state Assembly, putting his constituents first and partisan politics last. It is Miller who has kept an eye on runaway spending and spoken against the Albany machine. As member of the minority party, this isn’t easy to do. Yet Miller has shown courage and honesty throughout his tenure.

Smith strikes me as a rich kid who wants a new toy. Our taxes and our future are not toys. They should not be entrusted to him. Voters must reject Jonathan Smith, a candidate who will stoop to the lowest level just to win an election.

Barbara Gutzler
Wappingers Falls

Editorial recognizes Miller’s help in district

I believe the Poughkeepsie Journal Editorial Board made an excellent choice in endorsing Joel Miller in his re-election campaign for the 102nd Assembly District.

The editorial board took the time, interviewed both candidates on issues regarding property tax reform, our state budget, the current economic situation and the future outlook for improving our economic base in New York state. Upon completing the interviews, they agreed Miller is the best candidate to continue representing constituents in the district.

As a resident and current Town of Poughkeepsie councilman (4th Ward), I have witnessed first hand how Miller helps his constituents.

I have personally contacted him to assist Fourth Ward residents with consumer fraud issues, veterans issues, Medicare and Medicaid problems, issues with adoptions and other bureaucratic red tape that residents come across. Miller and his staff are always diligent and expedient as they provide assistance and solve many of the dilemmas facing our residents.

Miller also has been able to bring much-needed member item funding to the ward and town to obtain fire and police safety equipment to protect our fire and police professionals and money for local improvements and recreational uses town-wide.

I will be voting for Joel Miller on Election Day, as I, too, believe he is the right person to represent the 102 Assembly District.

Michael Cifone
Councilman, 4th Ward, Town of Poughkeepsie

Smith spreading lies about Miller’s work

Honesty in our elected officials is essential. Yet Assembly candidate Jonathan Smith is having a hard time being honest with the people he wants to represent.

Jonathan Smith’s literature states that for the last 14 years, Joel Miller has not been a reformer but rather part of the problem. This is flagrantly wrong. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and his New York City cohorts have and will continue to block those reforms that are so desperately needed here in Dutchess County.

Smith blames Miller, rather than failed national policies, for the price of fuel. New York state, with Miller’s votes, leads the nation in alternative energy use. Miller doesn't vote with the energy industry nor has he ever voted to allow utility companies to increase rates whenever they want to.

A typical Smith lie.

Miller has always stood up for women’s rights despite Smith’s claims he voted no on "equal pay" legislation. In reality, Miller voted against legislation that would have driven more businesses and jobs from our area while doing nothing to make pay more equitable for women. Another Smith lie.

Falsifying the excellent record of an honest dedicated public servant such as Miller indicates Smith is not worthy of my vote or anyone else’s.

Please join me in re-electing Joel Miller on Tuesday.

Geoffrey Patterson
Town of Poughkeepsie

Assemblyman works for Dutchess’ interests

Our state Assemblyman Joel Miller has always stood up for small businesses and local interest. Miller has been endorsed by business groups, including the prestigious National Federation of Independent Businesses, because he has been a strong advocate for small businesses, the backbone of our economy.

Miller has always stood for Dutchess County, avoiding special interests and New York City bosses. He has reached across party lines on numerous occasions in bipartisan efforts to better this state.

Our assemblyman has gained a reputation for bucking those in his own party, as well as Sheldon Silver and his New York City cronies, so he can make Dutchess a place where businesses can flourish, creating jobs that will ultimately lead to a better economy.

On Tuesday, please join me in voting for Assemblyman Joel Miller. A vote for Miller is a voter for a better, brighter New York.

Clarence B. Devens Jr.
Poughkeepsie

Miller has made tax reform a priority

Since 1996, Joel Miller has been fighting for change, especially when it comes to property tax reform. He led the charge by introducing legislation that would eliminate archaic property taxes and replace them with a system based on a person's ability to pay.

Over the years, Miller has supported measures to protect Dutchess County taxpayers and he understands rebate checks are not a solution. So he is sponsoring proposals in the state Assembly that would enact a circuit-breaker. This legislation would provide targeted property tax relief to middle-class homeowners while continuing to make sure public education gets the money it needs to offer our children the opportunities they deserve.

What Miller’s opponent won’t tell you is that for years, if not decades, the Assembly Democrats have impeded property tax reform. Why? It’s simple. The residents of New York City don’t pay the astronomic property taxes we do here in the Hudson Valley. So Speaker Sheldon Silver and his minions continue to block any and all property tax reform. Miller’s opponent will surely fall into lock step with them should he be elected and the truth is we, the residents of Dutchess, can't afford to let that happen.

Please join me in voting for someone who cares about reforming property taxes. Vote to return Assemblyman Joel Miller on Tuesday.

Craig Kacmarczyk
Fishkill

Miller is courageous, will always be honest

I am voting for Joel Miller as my representative in the 102nd Assembly District in the New York state Legislature.

I am not registered with any party, but I have almost always voted Democratic, with few exceptions. I say this because I know Miller does not support an issue or a bill based on partisan politics. We need that kind of courage and decisiveness - for party politics is killing this state and this country.

I do not know anything about Miller’s opponent, except that he cannot match Miller’s experience and exceptional personal service to everyone who has ever contacted his office. Until this election, what has Miller’s opponent ever done for me or this area? We used to call somebody like that a "carpetbagger." If you look up "carpetbagger," this is what you are likely to find: "a political candidate who seeks election in an area where they have no local connections." That seems to sum up the other guy.

I know Miller and what he can do. He is experienced, intelligent and forthright - meaning he does not just tell you what you want to hear. That is who I want to represent me. Not a "yes" man to a political party or machine. I urge you to vote for Miller on Election Day.

Charlotte A. Visentin
Wappingers Falls

Service, commitment are Miller's hallmarks

I have been a friend of Joel Miller and his family for more than 30 years. Our children grew up together.

He is unfailingly dedicated and thoroughly committed to the responsibilities of his office. He is extraordinarily bright and a fierce advocate for the constituents he serves. Miller brings honesty and integrity to Albany. We could not ask for a better public servant. I am proud to call him my friend. I urge all I know to support him.

Linda Saland
Poughkeepsie

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