To the Editor:

As members of the Albany County League of Women Voters, we urge voters to say no to the Albany County charter on the ballot for three main reasons:

— 1. The Albany County legislature is the largest in the state at 39 members.  We support lowering their number, but the proposed charter lets the legislators decide on their size and lets them control the redistricting of the legislative districts. 

— 2. We need an independent, nonpartisan, and inclusive redistricting commission.  The legislature rejected this recommendation by the Charter Revision Commission so that they could control the process. Albany County citizens should be deciding these issues.

— 3. The legislature also ignored the recommendation for a physician appointed as a professional medical examiner to replace the four elected coroners who do not need any credentials.

Our legislators need to start over with a new charter that provides independent citizen input for these major decisions. We as voters deserve more. Look for the proposition on the back of your ballot.  For more information, go to www.lwvalbany.org.

Paula Philo, president

Ann Brandon, Charter co-chair

Judith Wing, Charter co-chair

Albany County League of Women Voters

Editor’s note: See related story.