To the Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Randy Bashwinger, Berne’s highway superintendent, for receiving the “Rising Star” award for Albany County at the New York Republican State Committee event that was held on Jan. 23.

There were GOP officials from across the state in attendance. It was Senator George Amedore, along with Albany County Legislator Mark Grimm, who presented Randy with his award. Randy was being recognized for his hard work and dedication to the town of Berne and to the Hilltowns.

As chairman of the Berne Republican Party, he has been instrumental in the GOP surge that has taken place in the Hilltowns. It was one of the top political stories of the year at this event.  

Randy has spent hours on the phone, has attended multiple town meetings, and held late-night meetings for the United Party discussions and planning. He cancelled plans with his family and missed dinners —  and that was on top of the responsibilities as superintendent of highways.

Randy will go out of his way and do anything for our residents in Berne and the neighboring towns.  These are just a few of the reasons that Randy is so deserving of this award.  

Our town supervisor, Sean Lyons; his wife, Jennifer; Berne Town Board member Dennis Palow; committee member Bill Keal; and Randy’s wife, Jessica; and his oldest son, EJ were also in attendance to support Randy.

Thank you, Randy, for your hard work and dedication to all of us in the town of Berne and to the Republican/United Party.  Thank you also to Randy’s family for “sharing” him with the whole town.

Anne Margaret Oldick

Berne