Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne has earned the endorsement of the Watertown Daily Times in her bid for re-election to the New York State Assembly.
The Times, in an editorial that appeared in Friday's print and on-line editions, praised the Assemblywoman for fighting for the North Country and getting positive results.
"She is a long-standing member of the Majority in Albany who has been instrumental in securing state funding for many critical projects in the north country," the editorial board wrote.
"Ms. Jenne understands how Fort Drum will be affected if new wind turbine projects are undertaken around it. She knows what an economic driver the post is for the north country economy and how essential the work of the 10th Mountain Division is to our national security," they added in their endorsement.
Assemblywoman Jenne has secured approximately $8 million in state funding to assist schools and communities in the North Country over the past two years, including fighting to have $1million included in the 2016 state budget for a poverty fighting initiative for the city of Watertown and $900,000 for the North Country Farm to School program that has brought locally grown foods into local schools.
The newspaper also praised Assemblywoman Jenne for her deep knowledge of policy issues of importance to the North Country.
"Ms. Jenne also recognizes that the economic development strategy carried out by the Cuomo administration has not produced results. And she grasps that substantial state and federal funding will be required to repair the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge," the editorial said.
The newspaper's editor has become a strong voice for the specific needs of North Country residents.
"She will provide a necessary voice on behalf of the River District in the Assembly. ... Ms. Jenne is knowledgeable of local issues and has a firm command of the process for implementing public policies. She will work with the majority party to ensure the north country remains a priority in Albany. Voters have supported her desire to serve as a state legislator since 2008, and they should continue doing so now," the newspaper added.
The editors were also critical of her opponent's work as a member of the Watertown City Council. "He has not distinguished himself as a community leader, fiscal watchdog (a curious label he ascribes to himself) or municipal legislator," they wrote.
