As a business owner in Northern New York, I've watched this year's election unfold with great interest. Like many folks, my vote will go to the candidate who proves to me that he's the better man. One candidate who's already proven his mettle to me is Congressman John McHugh.

About a year ago, I discovered a competitor was being paid by the federal government to build a plant that directly competes with my business, Hoosier Magnetics. We've been in Ogdensburg for nearly 25 years and have 30 employees. Imagine my surprise when I learned the Department of Energy had given that competitor a $4 million grant.

Taking a little inspiration from Jimmy Stewart, "Mr. Shirk went to Washington" to get answers. To my delight, Congressman John McHugh opened his office (he told me it was actually "my office" as a business owner in his congressional district) and promptly took my concerns to the most senior officials at the Department of Energy. Mr. McHugh tore through the red tape on my behalf and told the department that he wouldn't allow a broken federal program to mindlessly put out of business one of his district's manufacturers, taking 30 jobs with it. There was no pretense here; my congressman was going to bat for his constituents.

While we still don't know the final result, I know Mr. McHugh will keep fighting for me until things are resolved. With him in the driver's seat, I'm feeling optimistic that this injustice will be undone. In an election season where "change" vs. "status quo" is all the rage, I keep thinking of another old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." At a time when so many things are unclear about our future, the wisdom of re-electing Congressman McHugh is crystal clear.

One thing from my trip to Washington, D.C., was clear: John McHugh is a member more concerned about Main Street than Wall Street and is a true champion of the little guy. Despite all the rhetoric flying around in this year's election season, I know one thing I don't want to see change is Congressman McHugh's representation of our district.

B. Thomas Shirk

Ogdensburg