Where is good governance from the Berne Town Board?

To the Editor:

Accountability? Transparency? Loyalty? Fairness? Honesty? Openness? Respect? Just cause? Ethics? Good governance? Where are these tenants of democracy and good government in the town of Berne?

Not being privy to inner workings of the Berne administration, one can only guess why recent decisions were made. Our community needs clarity from the town board.

I do not personally know most of the town officials negatively affected by recent changes but the appearance is one of party politics and favoritism. In their decision-making, the board members should consider that, just because someone can do something, does not mean that they should.

Besides treating people with little regard, and possible legal violations, these decisions may involve increased costs to the town and the board should openly inform us. Public officials are elected to govern on behalf of all residents, but expecting us to accept decisions without giving sensible, rational, justified reasoning is nothing more than flexing political muscle.

I support the people who unfairly lost jobs or public positions as a result of Berne town board decisions.

I disagree with changing the paper of record from The Altamont Enterprise to the Albany Times Union. The Times Union is a fine paper but for the Hilltowns, The Enterprise has truly been our local news source and has fairly reported all sides of issues. Does the town board really believe that Berne will get as much coverage from the Times Union, equal to what we have gotten from The Enterprise? Or is the point to repress coverage?

Nothing incites one to action quicker than a personal issue. My general displeasure with the arrogance and apparent partisanship of the Berne town board does not compare with how I feel about Cheryl Baitsholts being unceremoniously dumped as our dog control officer.

No one is more compassionate, more humane, more effective (and more cost-effective); non one knows the laws as well, or is more successful in this job than Cheryl. Her network of caring animal lovers is huge and often results in animals being picked up quickly.

It is not easy finding someone willing to do this job — you are on call all the time; it can be dangerous; it can be frustrating and heartbreaking; it is not a high-paying job, and your work comes home with you.

Nothing against the person newly appointed to the position, whom I do not know, but why fire someone who has done a stellar job? What justifies the manner in which Cheryl lost her job? And I repeat, she lost her job. The firing was not done openly and showed no respect to her and the exceptional job she has done.

If, as claimed by the town board, there is a law on the books stating that someone in this position has to be a town resident, show us. Where has this law been buried for the past 13 years?

I have known Cheryl for almost 20 years. We both hold licenses to rehabilitate wildlife. Though Cheryl does not actively care for wildlife, she does have pre-exposure rabies shots and I can rely on her if I am unavailable and need assistance in picking up or transporting a wild animal in need of help in our area.

Helping people and pets reunite is more than a job for Cheryl and her dedication is unsurpassed.

It is unrealistic to expect loyalty from one political party to another, or perhaps even to extend it to employees put in place by another party/board. Politics aside, it is not too much to expect that people be treated with respect and not be unfairly fired from a job or removed from a position for no just cause if they have done their job well.

It is not too much to expect openness, transparency, honesty, or ethical behavior from our elected officials who represent all residents, regardless of party affiliation. Where is good governance from the Berne Town Board?

Kelly Martin

President

New York State Wildlife

Rehabilitation Council

Berne

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