To the Editor:
I think it is fair to say that the politics of Washington, D.C. are a national embarrassment, even a sickness. Members of Congress and party loyalists offer lies, misrepresentations, and disinformation as facts. Public ridicule and mocking of people is accepted as normal discourse.

Efforts to impose voting restrictions that make it more difficult for a person to vote are a direct attack on our democracy. However, the most threatening behavior of our elected officials on the national stage is their overt encouragement or tolerance of violence directed at groups and individuals. Sadly, for the residents of Berne, the Berne Town Board has been infected, to a certain degree, with this disease.

One only needs to review past editions of The Altamont Enterprise to learn about the disrespectful treatment, by the board, of former employees, volunteers, and some residents of Berne. There have been allegations of secret meetings to discuss town business and other noncompliance with New York’s Open Meetings Law.

The result is that some residents of Berne do not have the opportunity to truly take part in the decisions that go into making public policy. Berne deserves better. We all deserve a town board and a community that acts with manners, goodwill, kindness, and respect.

If we are to have any hope of changing the direction of our national political discourse, I believe that change needs to and will start with small-town government. This is where neighbors work with neighbors — “they” becomes “we.”

We want people who do not just say “yes” or “no” to ideas because of who said them or because of political party affiliation. We want people who put the Berne community before party loyalty. Small-town government can only be effective by telling the truth and by having open discussions so all residents can make informed decisions.

If there are two essential components to this type of face-to-face democracy, they are honesty and trust. When they disappeared from the Berne Town Board interactions, I felt I had to do something to bring about a positive change.

Imagine having a town board that asks, “What can we do for each other?” “How will this affect the Berne community?”

Let me be clear when I say the Berne community, I mean the people, the land, the water, the air, and the wildlife that are all part of the Berne community. All of these “gifts” make up the spirit of Berne that contribute to why we move here, why we return here, or why we never left.

I believe that working on problems together forces people to discover a wisdom or knowledge that is stronger than what they have as an individual; wisdom about themselves, their friends, their community, and our world. Is this not democracy in its simplest form?

If Berne is to endure and prosper, we must embrace the language of care-taking, kindness, neighborliness, and peace. A healthy community has trust, good faith, goodwill, and mutual help. We are neighbors and Berne is our home.

My name is Patrick Martin and I am the Democratic candidate for Berne Town Council this year.

Please vote because change starts with your vote.

Patrick Martin

Berne