From Steve Cary

Blanchardville

To the editor:

My Aunt Ellie died last month of COVID-19. She was the last of my parent’s generation alive in our family. This has made our current pandemic much more real and immediate to me. I’ve been remembering her and my Uncle Fred, as well as my parents lately. They all spoke about life in our country during the Second World War. While my father and uncle were serving in Europe, Aunt Ellie talked about the way Americans pulled together. She said that there was a decency and respect for the welfare of other people. They shared a common enemy of course, but also a common civility. Government and citizens worked together in cooperation and with a shared vision.

Our legislature, including our Assembly representative Todd Novak, have blocked or derailed reasonable attempts at controlling this virus. His vote to force all 72 local county health departments to take the lead in finding containment solutions was extraordinarily irresponsible. Many departments in less affluent counties are underfunded and ill-equipped for a task so large. Todd Novak also voted against an amendment that would’ve allowed an expansion of Badger Care. As a result, 80,000 Wisconsin residents are missing out on affordable health care in the midst of a pandemic.

I’ve known Kriss Marion for better than 20 years, and have seen her composure and civility in action, and her commitment to the common good, often in the face of mean-spirited opposition. Our good state and country need the spirit Kriss brings back again. I hope you’ll join me in voting for Kriss Marion for Assembly.