To the Editor:

The irony of this is unbelievable: “Politics in Berne are destroying our community.”

The hypocrisy in this letter to the editor is astonishing. I feel compelled to comment against my better judgment.

I do appreciate Anita saying, “Mr. Martin was well versed in the aspects of managing a municipality.” Thank you, and you are correct. That’s why I was such a problem.

As far as the claim that I wanted to change from Lamont Engineering or the town’s insurance company is misleading. I believe the town board should continue to get premium quotes and look at all options yearly in the best interest of the townspeople to make sure they are getting the best “bang for the buck.”

I have disagreed with the supervisor on many many occasions. This isn’t a secret ….

I did record conversations that were extremely important and don’t deny or regret doing that. Honestly, thank God I did or the outcome would be much different ….

I understand the perspective of me walking out on my oath. But my oath wasn’t to Anita or the supervisor. My oath was to the community, to the citizens.

On the surface, it seems we had the majority and could control the outcomes. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case when information was withheld and that is still true today from what I understand.

 How could I make judgments and calls when I was stonewalled? So my only option was exposure. I stand by that decision 100 percent and look forward to November and a fresh start.

The Republican caucus came and as always it is a Republican caucus. Right in the headline it’s clear who participates (Republicans) as well as in the caucus rules.

The supervisor spoke at length, which, with him being a Republican, was within the rules even if I didn’t agree. So he was free to express all of his thoughts and opinions, which he did ….

Ironically Anita says, “I thought I was a person and a resident” referring to her being able to speak as a Democrat in a Republican caucus. I wonder, does she feel the same way about the town board meetings where the residents are not allowed to speak? Will she immediately call out publicly to demand the supervisor allow public comment?

Come on, Anita, demand public comment at board meetings. You know, “When you look in the mirror, who do you see?”

Yes, it’s 100-percent true that I requested $2,500 for the senior center. I was working with Lamont Engineering to draft a small-scale rendering to appease grant opportunity guidelines so we could start getting some upgrades at the senior center.

I stand by that today also; I think it’s despicable that the seniors are so easily forgotten after decades of contributing to the community. Unfortunately, both the supervisor and deputy supervisor voted against the $2,500 for the rendering for the senior center.

As far as the lights in the park, I didn’t spearhead that but do think it would be very nice to have baseball games under the lights and I support Berne-Knox-Westerlo Little League 100 percent. Maybe some people don’t support the Little League, which I don’t understand. But I do!

I never intended to take my resignation back so not sure where that came from. This is misinformation and I have the conversation where the ex-Republican Committee chairman and the then-town attorney called me on a joint call asking me to stay on the town board, saying they could work it out. I told them I didn’t want to waste their time and the answer is no. This is documented.

As far as the nominations, it’s true some of the nominees were not Republicans. I was the acting chairman of the caucus but any registered Republican can nominate a candidate. This is a basic rule for caucuses.

I did not make any of the nominations during the caucus being I was chairman. Honestly, with the toxicity from the past, maybe some bipartisanship is exactly what we need in town. I can tell you for certain what we don’t need is letters to the editor calling for unity while slandering people.

The town clerk (Kristin de Oliveria) was nominated, there weren’t any other nominations and she won the seat without any opposition. So I have no clue what Anita is talking about.

I have been vocal that I don’t think it’s right for the town clerk to work less than 28 to 30 hours a week while collecting such a large full-time sum of money. I’ve directly spoken to her about my concerns. It just doesn’t sit well with me and that’s my opinion.

The supervisor candidate is a Democrat who has bipartisan support and was appointed to the town board already by the Republican majority with “yes” votes from both Supervisor [Dennis] Palow and Deputy Supervisor [Thomas] Doolin.

The highway superintendent seat was between Republican Allen Stempel and Conservative Randy Bashwinger. We all voted by ballot box and Randy won the line. Congratulations to him!

I’m in favor of the Republican, Allen Stemple. I’m a citizen in the town and can support and vote for whoever I choose. We all get a vote in November and someone will win. It’s that simple.

So to wrap up the grotesque claims, let me be clear on my views. I’m for an open, transparent government. Where the voice of the people is heard.

I support our rural farming community. I’m not selling out to special interests or being part of any nonsense. It’s simple to me: Do the right thing! Or as stated before, “When you look in the mirror, who do you see?”

I will stand strong to be part of the solutions to defend the local farmer, seniors, small businesses, and organizations that put everything else aside to enrich our community and youth such as BKW Little League, Berne youth lacrosse, and others.

“When you look in the mirror, who do you see?”

I guess that was the question that was asked. What comes to mind is the old saying: “Don’t be afraid of being outnumbered. Eagles fly alone. Pigeons flock together.”

You can slander me all you want, Anita. I’m not going anywhere.Your letters to the editor are a reflection of you. Not me! I won’t be going back and forth with you, so don’t waste your time. Use the energy in a positive way. Have a good day!

Joseph Martin

Berne

Editor’s note: This is the oath that town board members take: “I, name, do solemnly swear that I will defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of position to the best of my ability.”