To the Editor:
In her interview with The Altamont Enterprise, Anita Clayton makes several statements that reflect opinions with which I must disagree [“Berne Dem Primary: Lippert v. Clayton for town council,” June 8, 2021].

The Democratic Party endorsed Anita for eight years as town clerk. So, why aren’t we endorsing her for a position on the town board? It is very simply this: job performance.

Anita applied for the Democratic endorsement for town clerk. She has asserted that, in the interview, the members of that committee asked her to denounce the current administration.

That is not true, and there would be no reason for us to do so. Instead, we asked her to explain some of her actions as clerk.

Why hadn’t she provided Joel Willsey, the only Democrat on the town board, with documents to which he was entitled? Why had she berated him publicly for behaviors that were even more egregious by the other members of the board? Why had she not expressed her concern when illegal firings were made?

Anita’s reasoning is that, as town clerk, she shouldn’t immesh herself with political matters. Yet, she thought nothing of berating Democratic members for asking questions about fiscal concerns, a legally prescribed action it was their responsibility to undertake, when it effected undefined transfers or questioned illegal actions proposed by the majority ….

Anita even went so far as to sign onto the lawsuit meant to deny the Democrats the Working Families endorsement. That suit was thrown out of court as frivolous.

We strongly endorse Tim Lippert, a candidate with extensive experience working in town government, and who abides by the platform of the Democratic Committee. Tim Lippert has Pat Favreau’s values and will do what is right for the town of Berne and all the residents.

Kevin Crosier

Berne

Editor’s note: Kevin Crosier chairs Berne’s Democratic Committee.

Anita Clayton declined to respond to assertions made in this letter.