To the Editor:

I am writing with the intent to let the citizens of Westerlo learn a little bit more about myself as I am running for town councilman in the fall. I have been a resident in the town of Westerlo since 2007, building a house and settling to raise a family.

I have spent the last 20 years working in the pharmaceutical industry and supporting my town through the volunteer fire service, currently holding the position of chief of Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company.

My platform is that I am not a politician, but believe that the taxpayers of the town have the right to be informed as to how their money is being spent and the right to voice their opinion to the board.

Short- and long-term plans need to be developed for the town, as to what direction we intend to go. Similar to our household budgets, we have short-term and long term-plans: Expenditures for each week, planning and saving for a vacation.

Although adept at firefighting, I know it is not the strategy to use when managing your finances. Longer term goals include use of technology to get more people active in the town board process and disseminating information, grant monies for the town for infrastructure upgrades and repairs and supporting local business.

I hope to give the voters a choice, though win or lose I will continue to serve my friends and neighbors of the town through the fire department. God bless and godspeed.

Kevin Flensted

Republican candidate

for Westerlo Town Board

Editor’s note: See related story.