To the Editor:

The Berne Republican Committee would like to thank everyone involved in our inauguration celebration of the 45th President of the USA held at the Maple on the Lake in East Berne on Jan. 19. The show of support was beyond our expectations and indicates the need for true change in our local town governments.

The Hilltowns of Berne, Knox, Westerlo, and Rensselearville came together overwhelmingly during the past presidential election in support of Republican principles and that momentum will carry through for us to the local November elections.

Specifically, we would to thank Chris and Amanda Smith and the staff of The Maple on the Lake. The food, service, and hospitality were amazing. We packed over 140 people into the hall, and the pizza and wings were perfect from beginning to end. Also a huge thanks to Keller Entertainment for providing quality entertainment throughout the event.

Many great local businesses made our event even bigger by donating goods and services for our silent auction: Helderberg Bluestone, Hannans Paving, Fox Creek Market, East Berne True Value Hardware, Hilltown Locksmith, Helderberg Exotic Cats, Techno Metal Post, Helderberg Groomers, Fox Valley Trucking, Maple on the Lake, Altamont Auto, The Crosby Farm, Kathy Stempel, Mark’s Auto, BJ’s Rotterdam, Sports Clips – Latham, and Bellevue Builders Supply in Rotterdam.  A big thanks to Robert’s Excavating for another generous donation to kick off our 50/50 raffle.

We would also like to acknowledge the staff of The Altamont Enterprise for their professional assistance in developing the advertisement for our event. Last but not least, another thank-you to Jennifer Lyons and Kailey Bashwinger for their huge effort to make our 50/50 raffle a tremendous success.

Stay in touch with the Berne Republican Committee and our upcoming events on Facebook @BRCACNY. And again thank you to everyone for supporting the Berne Republican Committee.

The Berne Republican Committee

Randy Bashwinger, Kenny Weaver, Sean Lyons, Rick Otto, Bill Keal, Kevin Kemmett