To the Editor:

Altamont is an important part of Guilderland [“Guilderland has a blind spot toward Altamont,” Letter to the Editor, April 22, 2021].

While canvassing the streets of the town of Guilderland during this primary season, we hear the concerns of the residents in McKownville, Westmere, and the Carman Road neighborhoods about how the quality of our lives is being diminished by overdevelopment, loss of green space, and increasing traffic. People are concerned that too many dilapidated properties make our town look uncared for and make it a less desirable place to live.    

In contrast, the beautiful village of Altamont still maintains its small-town charm. The view of the Helderberg escarpment and the many enticing local businesses like orchards, breweries, golf courses, and a future winery make Altamont and western Guilderland a destination for our residents. We appreciate that, for Altamont and its growing agricultural tourism businesses, preserving and maintaining our natural resources is a top priority.  

Our platform is to preserve and protect green space, scenic views, and historic places; advocate for more parks, sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails throughout our entire town of Guilderland including Altamont. Our plan is to make all of Guilderland and Altamont an even more desirable and beautiful place to live.  

Several candidates will be knocking on your doors, asking for your vote in the Democratic Primary coming up on June 22, 2021. What we do not need are the same politicians placating us with empty promises. We need new leaders who will fight for our communities and who are not afraid to go up against special interests and the old tow-the-party-line system.  

Democratic candidates for Guilderland Town Board Christine Napierski and Kevin McDonald have a proven track record of taking action and fighting for the people in our community, like when Kevin McDonald stopped Pyramid from building a five-story apartment building 150 feet from the single-family homes on his street or when Christine Napierski fought for expanding voting rights so everyone can vote in a primary.

Altamont is an important part of Guilderland and, like every neighborhood in Guilderland, it is special and unique. Christine Napierski and Kevin McDonald will not leave any neighborhood or the village of Altamont behind when planning for the future of Guilderland. We will be voices for our entire community.   

For more information about our campaigns, please visit us on Facebook, Friends of Christine Napierski and Friends of Kevin McDonald, and on the web ChristineForGuilderland.com and KevinForGuilderland.com.

Christine Napierski

Kevin McDonald

Democratic Candidates

For Guilderland Town Board