BAINBRIDGE – A last minute change of venue for Chenango County District Attorney candidate Zachary Wentworth and company couldn't foil a band of loyal supporters and curious community members who attended a meet and greet last Friday.

Those in attendance were given bullet points of Wentworth's educational background and heard the Republican candidates reasons for running against incumbent Joseph McBride, who has served as Chenango's District Attorney unopposed since 1999.

In his speech, Wentworth spoke of how important it is for the DA's office to take a collaborative, multi-agency approach with regard to thwarting the county's escalating drug problem.

“One of the real problems that we have right now is the lack of intensive drug treatment, folks have to go to Utica, Syracuse or Binghamton in order to receive treatment,” said Wentworth. “To make matters worse, someone who might be an unemployed addict with a criminal record in Norwich isn't going to be able to keep an appointment 50 miles away, much less meet the requirements to be admitted into a viable treatment center that could save their life and save taxpayers thousands in re-prosecution.”

Saving taxpayer dollars was a recurring theme on Wentworth's agenda. “Taxpayers pay for errors, and as District Attorney I will work hard to study the evidence and research to avoid unnecessary trials and the cost it represents to our community.”