For immediate release:

For more information: www.rivers2010.blogspot.com

Contact Samuel L. Rivers (914) 760-8136

ASSEMBLYMAN J. GARY PRETLOW REFUSES TO DEBATE ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC CONCERN

Mount Vernon, NY- September 8, 2010 – New York State Assembly candidate Samuel L. Rivers is calling
for his opponent, NYS Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow to have a debate on the issues affecting the
constituents of the 87th Assembly District.

On September 2nd, 2010, Samuel L. Rivers sent a letter to Assemblyman Pretlow via facsimile and
certified mail (copy of letter attached) calling for a debate before the September 14th, 2010 Democratic
Primary.

To date, Assemblyman Pretlow has refused to respond to Mr. Rivers’s written request. “Why should
voters re-elect Assemblyman Pretlow who has mis-represented our district for the past 18 years when
he refuses to debate on the issues”? said rivers

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riversnys2010@gmail.com www.rivers2010.blogspot.com
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2010
 SAMUEL L. RIVERS
30 Rockledge Avenue  Mount Vernon, NY 10550  (914) 760-8136  samuelrivers@gmail.com

September 2, 2010

Hon. J. Gary Pretlow, Assemblyman

87th Assembly District, New York State
6 Gramatan Avenue, Suite 407
Mount Vernon, NY 10550

Via Facsimile and Certified Mail

Dear Mr. Pretlow,

I am extremely flabbergasted that you have refused my repeated requests for a public debate before the September 14th, 2010
Democratic Primary. On Friday, May 7th, 2010, at the Hon. Maureen Walker’s inaugural ball I expressed my desire to
debate you on the issues that are of public concern. I also told you that I wanted to go on News 12 to have a debate with
you. Your response to me was “I’m gonna kick your ass”.

For 18 years, you managed to stay below the radar and managed to get elected time and time again because you did not have
a credible challenger and also because of the backing of the shady and corrupt Democratic machine. For 18 years, you have
stood on the sidelines and watched as Mount Vernon and Yonkers residents were being taxed out of their homes. Property
taxes have increased over 40% in the last 5 years in Mount Vernon alone. However, you have managed to rack up huge
travel expenses in excess of $180,000 during the last 10 years while many New Yorkers were facing unemployment. You
have also managed to line your pockets with huge sums of cash from various special interests group while many of your
constituents did not know where their next meal was coming from.

The Democratic Primary is just 12 days away. Hanging posters around town and sending out mailings with grammatical
errors will not get you re-elected.

On September 1, 2010 we crossed paths again at Holmes Elementary school during the monthly school board meeting. It is
sad that you used the retirement ceremony of George Albano as an opportunity to promote your failing campaign for
re-election. Such political grandstanding is unacceptable. I again asked you about having a public debate. Your
response was “I don’t talk to you”. Again as usual, you took the cowardly route out of the situation. I think it is rather
selfish of you to refuse a debate and then have the audacity to ask the voting public for support. You are not mentally fit to
continue to hold public office if this is your attitude towards your constituents. You owe it to the public to let them know
where you stand on issues. I am available any time, any place to debate you on the numerous issues affecting our district.
I pray that you can find the courage to have a debate with me before September 14th, 2010.

Respectfully Submitted,

Samuel L. Rivers
cc: Press