Chris Otloff is the Plattsburgh Assemblymn, whose district makes up most of Clinton and parts of Franklin County. He's been in the Assembly for a number of years, and he is a geninuely nice guy. He cares about public policy, and he's an activist like so many others in the political sphere. He's an upstater like you and I, and he even supports some democrats like Andy Wylie from time to time.

Yet, while he cares and believes in his district, he's wrong on many issues. Look at him and the farming community. He's an open supporter of the farm bureau, he wants to see a viable farm economy, yet he fails to see the virtues of open space or smart environmental policy that ensures viable and healthy farms. Farms are to him just another business. How much can one steal from the land to keep a float is his attitude.

Ortloff one who sees the pragmatic needs of people well, but fails to dream to see what our would could be. He's your traditional pro-business Republican, but fails to see how his ideas are actually working against his own values. He cares about people and the environment, but lives in a world with a much different experience then my own. Yet, his stances on the economy and business, will ultimately hurt his people more then it will help it. He does not understand the importance of progressive social policy in creating an even stron economy

Moreover, being in the minority, his agenda has not been even been considered in the Assembly. His heart while being in the right place, is fundamentally misguided on the steps we must we take to change our world, and make the North Country a better place for our children.