An open letter to the residents of Cayuga County:

For the past year, I have been your acting Cayuga County coroner. I had much to learn. The county and I had the good fortune and benefit of a devoted, established staff including Marcia Zolinski, Paul Weiman, Christopher Molloy and Michael Nye.

It should be clear to all that I accepted this challenge as a physician, not a politician. In my first election, I was encouraged by countywide support that crossed all party lines.

I would like to personally thank each and every voter who supported my candidacy for county coroner on Nov. 7. I have been and will continue to be committed to Cayuga County, my adopted home.

I accept the challenge to maintain and improve the workings of the coroner's office.

It is my hope that the coroner's office will continue to provide thoughtful, sensitive, honest, skillful responses, while maintaining its cost-efficient approach.

It is with great anticipation that I face the next four years. As I look forward, I pause momentarily to thank all those with confidence in my ability and reassure anyone yet to be convinced. It is my intention to fulfill the mandates of the Office of the Coroner with skill and respect for all. Thank you again, to all.

James R. Dolan

Auburn

Dolan, D.O., is coroner-elect of

Cayuga County