Letter to the Editor:

 


As the mother of Derek Comins, a Tribal Sub-Chief candidate, I feel compelled to inform the voting membership what a strong performer Derek can be if given the opportunity to serve Akwesasne more than what he has and continues to.

Please look at his stated goals:

• “Fully funded detox facility that meets the cultural and social needs of our community.”

This is a mandate from the community that something serious needs to be done at a local level.

Derek, as an EMT, and his fellow ambulance teams, have seen their share of what drugs do to our youth and others. Whether it be directly or indirectly, drugs have an altering presence here in Akwesasne. We, as a community, need Derek to work on this.

• “Improved employee relations and work environment for SRMT employees.”

How often have we heard about an educated, well serving Onkwehonwe who is forced to seek employment away from the Tribe? They are treated with more respect away from Akwesasne than they ever received at the Tribe. As former or current employees of the Tribe, ask yourself, why is that? Are Tribal Council employees less deserving of respect than their off-reserve counterparts?

I am encouraged that Derek wishes to pursue this because a standard of equal treatment should be a priority given the SRMT and the AMCR are two of the hugest employers of the North Country. Akwesasne took over where Massena left off. Now is the time for the SRMT to excel in employer/employee relations to remain a top employer.

• “Partner with area programs to host trades training for our youth and adult learners.”

As one of the hugest employers of the North Country, it is incumbent of the Tribal Council to not only consider good jobs for our community’s betterment, but to actively pursue training options for our unemployed membership.

Learned life skills:

• Derek’s commitment to our volunteer fire department, with assistance by fellow firefighters and SRMT/MCA officials, have made our 3 departments a standout among fire departments.

• Derek’s commitment to become a good leader has been tried and true since he became chief of the fire department and supervisor of MCA’s ambulance service.

• Derek learned to be people friendly by working in our family-run grocery store, since age 12, too. He learned and still can cut a mean slice of Glazier bologna!

• And on an all-important note, Derek is committed to his wife Andrea, his three sons and his precious daughter. He is a loving son, always looking out for Donnie and myself, plus his siblings. He is a big guy with an even bigger heart!

Derek is a very intelligent person. He can promote, he can help heal, he can assist with practical learning and, more important, he can be part of a productive team.

Instead of complaining he wants to be part of the solution.

Please vote for Derek Comins.

Thank you, Delinda Comins

 

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