To the Editor: 

I must say this campaign election year in Guilderland has been a breath of fresh air. Gone is the Republican “spin” that emanated from certain candidates is recent years.

In fact, there are four candidates who are running unopposed by the other party, all deserving re-election. Heck, the Republicans even borrowed a Democrat as their standard bearer for supervisor; what better example is there of collegiality and common sense!

However, make no mistake about it: Electing the most qualified town board members and supervisor will be critical to continue the enlightened leadership that Guilderland residents have received, expect, and deserve. The choice is clear in favor of the Democrat and Independence Party endorsed candidates.

Town board candidate Rosemary Centi offers unparalleled experience and knowledge. As town clerk, she has interfaced with most town residents. And for over a decade was present at every town board meeting in her function as town clerk. Rosemary is aware of all important issues affecting Guilderland residents today.

Town board candidate Al Maikels has been a practicing certified public accountant for over 30 years. You need only peruse any newspaper today to realize that there is no aspect of government more important but so often violated than its fiscal integrity.

Guilderland’s budget now exceeds $33 million. This is no mom-and-pop operation. Budgets of this size and complexity require experts to provide maximum oversight. Al now provides this oversight as a town board member and, with your support, he will continue to do so.

There will be no learning curve for either Rosemary or Al.

Supervisor candidate Peter Barber presents enormous qualifications for you to consider. As a partner in his law firm for many years, he’s well versed in land use, planning and zoning, telecommunications law, business operations, real estate, administrative law, municipal law, employee law and others.

Knowledge in all of these areas is critical for a supervisor to have to effectively manage town operations. Peter has also demonstrated his knowledge and skills for years as chairman of the Guilderland Zoning Board of Appeals as well as a member of the Zoning and Land Use Comprehensive Plan Committee.

As a 25-year resident of Guilderland and closely monitoring its government, I would be hard pressed to think of a previous supervisor who can match Peter Barber’s knowledge, experience, and accomplishments.

Reference is often made to “organizational memory” and how important it is in dealing with current business. All three candidates are enormously qualified in this respect.

In their own best interests, all Guilderlanders should support Rosemary Centi, Al Maikels, and Peter Barber.

Gerard Houser

Guilderland

Editor’s note: Gerard Houser is Guilderland’s Community Gardens Coordinator.