To the Editor:

I am writing to urge those who live in the Voorheesville School District to vote for Tricia Putman in next week’s election for the Voorheesville School Board. First, if you have not received a ballot, and believe you are eligible to vote, please contact the district by email at  or by phone at 518-765-3313 to request one.

Ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on June 9, and should be mailed by June 5 to guarantee delivery by the deadline. The district office will have a secure drop box located outside the office on June 8 and June 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office is at the entrance to the high school.

Many of us may feel impotent in the face of a global pandemic, but we can still make our voices heard, especially by participating in our local democracy. I know that some are concerned about how this economic downturn and New York State’s finances will impact the budget of our wonderful schools. Tricia is abundantly qualified to help guide our schools through these challenging times.

If you are a regular reader of The Altamont Enterprise, this is likely not the first letter to the editor in support of Tricia’s candidacy that you have seen. Tricia’s extensive community involvement for the last 15-p;us years has been well-described by other supporters.

She was instrumental in the formation of Good Eats at the elementary school and managed the Blackbird Garden, serves as treasurer of the Voorheesville Community and School Foundation, helped to found the Farms to Schools Initiative, and was a key supporter of Voorheesville’s successful playground build.

Tricia also has an extensive background in finance — surely a required qualification for service on our school board in the face of likely cuts in state aid in the years to come. Tricia is a certified public accountant, has both a master’s degree in business administration and a master’s in taxation, and has over 20 years of financial management experience.

Besides being an outstanding citizen of our community, Tricia has been a committed attendee of school board and committee meetings. She has done this not to pursue an agenda, but to listen and be informed, and to help make sure others are as well. Tricia not only keeps herself familiar with the issues, but encourages those around her to stay involved, in our community and in our schools.

In short, Tricia has that ideal combination of both financial expertise and community knowledge that will be vital to helping our schools weather these uncertain economic times. I know Tricia to be measured, fair, open-minded, and to have a big heart for our community, and can’t think of a better candidate for a seat on the Voorheesville School Board. I hope you will join me in voting for her, and mail in your ballot!

Erin Casey

New Scotland