September 4 – Leaves are changing, buses are traveling the roads with our little ones in tow, warm days and crisp nights are far more normal, and we begin to watch our community start to find election signs throughout.

With the advent of social media, robocalls, auto-texts, listserv emails, and more, the art of garnering your vote has changed. Our job as citizens is to ensure we do our homework becoming an educated electorate in choosing those to represent us. Our vote isn’t about a friend, or the number of signs – as the late great Sullivan County District Attorney Steve Lungen used to say, “Signs don’t vote – people do.” But to have a true message of beliefs and thoughts through the constant rhetoric of politics today is difficult.

So, let’s allow candidates some grace to answer our questions and share their plans and ideas without negativity. Don’t fall into the negative name calling and back and forth like children. And certainly, don’t remove signs that you haven’t placed up. The signs cost campaigns a lot of money. We may not like the constant ads, signs, the social media pictures and more of a campaign, but it is the system we have. So, leave the signs alone, keep the negative silent, be polite to those calling or knocking on your door, that way you can learn what you can from the actual campaigns - not the rhetoric, ask the questions directly to the source to get your answers, and get out to events that so many of our candidates are attending to speak directly with them.

Speaking of such an event, “Paula for Assembly” will be holding a fundraiser to Re-Elect Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay at the Liberty Diner on Monday, September 14 from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at the door.

Be sure you are registered to vote! You must be registered with application received by the Board of Elections no later than October 24. To check your registration status go to https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov and for any additional needs for voting, contact the Sullivan County Board of Elections directly.

During this week we will recognize the lives lost and destruction caused 25 years ago on September 11. What more than that remembrance to share the message of the importance of participating in our most sacred duty of citizenship. Fire Departments across the county will be holding ceremonies throughout the day to ensure that we will never forget. Please check with your local townships and Fire Departments for times and locations.

And to recognize our community heroes even more, don’t miss the Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighters Association Parade hosted by the Grahamsville Fire Department with the parade kick-off at 1pm ending at the Grahamsville Fair Grounds for food, drinks, bouncy houses, music, Fire Service Tug-of-War and more.

Join Catherine Skalda at the Livingston Manor – Roscoe Library on Thursday, September 10 at 5:30 PM and learn how to protect streams and improve streamside habitats using native plants. For more information, contact 845 439-5440.

The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce will be holding its Friday Networking Breakfast on Friday, September 11 at 7:30 AM at Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills in Harris. Proudly sponsored by NAMI Sullivan County, NY, this month's breakfast is a great opportunity to come together, share ideas, introduce your business, and strengthen connections with fellow Chamber members and guests. Whether you're a longtime member or joining the event for the first time, you'll have the chance to enjoy a delicious breakfast while creating valuable new connections. Seating is limited to just 65 guests, and advance registration is required. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Please contact the Chamber at 845 791-4200 to reserve your seat today.

And, for a delicious Chicken Dinner, don’t miss the John Zupetz Sr. Memorial Chicken BBQ on Saturday, September 12, at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 17 High Street, Bloomingburg. Tickets, which includes grilled half chicken, baked potato, 3-bean salad, dinner roll, watermelon and beverage is priced at $20 and available by calling 845 733-1477.

Happy Birthday to Daniel McCormack, Dan Smalls (9/8), Camille O’Brien, (9/9), Theresa Owens, Lynn Etkin Murray, Marta Mangual, Nick Piperato, Stacey Wizwer, Jamie Hackett (9/10), Terry Schommer, Melinda Gwiozdowski, Jay Sherb (9/11), Barry Plaxen (9/12), Stewart Kaufman, Elisabeth Bringle, Ally Smith (9/13), Bernie Cohen, Dan Gersten, Jennie Sush, Doug Tunno (9/14).

To those who celebrate Rosh Hashannah, wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy, prosperous, peaceful and sweet New Year filled with the love of family and friends. And, as always, just in case I really don’t “Know It All,” please keep me in the know by emailing me at LoriJames.SCDemocrat@gmail.com.