I have been a veterinarian in Stafford for 45 years. I grew up on one of our town’s last dairy farms, and my father, John Mordasky, served the 52nd district for over twenty years as a state representative. Needless to say, my siblings and I grew up in a home where politics were never far from the kitchen table. Before he passed at the age of ninety-seven, the “old man” – as his sons respectfully called him – shared with me, in his lucid and commanding voice, four qualities of a good politician that I’ll never forget:
1. Be a patriot and love this country.
2. Be honest– say what you truly believe, and if you change your mind based on what you have
come to understand, be forthright about your change of heart.
3. Accept that as an elected official you represent 100 percent of your constituents, not just the
fifty-one percent that sent you to the Capitol.
4. And, finally, the job is not about you.
I am proud to be the treasurer for Ethan Werstler’s campaign for state representative because Ethan possesses all of the qualities of a good public servant– the ones my father, in his wisdom of age, shared with me. In all fairness, I believe most public servants should be commended for their service. Anyone willing to run and serve deserves our respect and appreciation, whether we agree with their platform or not. But at seventy-something years old, I am feeling old, and I am particularly impressed with the energy and enthusiasm Ethan has exhibited in his candidacy for State Representative.
I frequently talk to clients about their old dogs slowing down, and their desire to add a new, younger pup into the family. They often ask me, Can that pup be as good as the old dog? And as an old Doc with young, energetic, and enthusiastic doctors working for us, I understand how that feels! But no dog can go forever, and if you take the chance with a young, smart, and energetic pet that wants to do everything your old dog has done and more, then why not give them a chance? No disrespect to old dogs – after all, I am one myself – but whether we like it or not, we all will eventually be replaced by young pups. As far as I am concerned, I vote for the one that will give me the best shot at getting the job
done, and the most enthusiastic and energetic. Looking at this year’s election, it’s clear that that young pup is Ethan Werstler. Ethan Werstler is the one who gets my vote for State Representative of the 52nd district.
David Mordasky DVM
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