March 12, 2025
Two Steuben County Lawmakers, Corning Democrats Joe Tobia and Hilda Lando spoke out against a letter written last week by Bath Republican, Steuben County Legislative Chair Kelly Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick’s letter asked President Trump to step in and have a federal agency investigate the working conditions of the New York State prison system. Fitzpatrick‘s letter stated that Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul either was incapable of solving prison condition problems or was refusing to. Corning Democrat Joe Tobia said the letter was too opinionated, and appeared to be signed by the full county legislature. Corning Democrat Hilda Lando agreed with Tobia, but Lando noted that Fitzpatrick removed her name (Lando’s name) from the letterhead when it was requested.
County Legislative Chairperson Kelly Fitzpatrick maintains that the only complaints she got about the letter were from the two Democrat county lawmakers. Fitzpatrick also pointed out that her signature, was the only signature, on the letter.
