BERNE — Brian Crawford has been a town assessor for over a quarter of a century. He said his experience as assessor and AS a lifelong resident of Berne will help him continue to SERVE the residents.

A Democrat, Crawford is running on the Democratic and Conservative lines.

Crawford, 63, recently retired from both his full-time job with the Albany County Department of Public Works and his part-time job as assessor for the town of Berne. He resigned at the end of June and was appointed as assessor by the town board in July. He is now running for a two-year term that will fill a vacancy created when he resigned. Crawford said the resignation from all his posts was necessary for him to collect his pension upon retirement.

Crawford has lived in Berne his whole life. He worked for General Electric in Schenectady from 1972 to 1986 until he was laid off due to downsizing by the company, he said; he then began working for the county as a construction inspector, overseeing projects on roads and bridges.

Crawford has been serving as town assessor for over 25 years. He said his longtime experience as assessor, his lifetime of living in Berne, and his state certification are all things that qualify him to continue serving.

“I think that speaks for itself,” he said, of his various experiences.

Crawford said that the assessor must equitably assess properties and treat all town residents with respect.

“Don’t worry about outside influences,” he said.

Crawford was assessor when the town last had a townwide property tax revaluation, in 1997. Although he believes the town’s current assessment rates are fair, he said the residents must decide when a revaluation is needed.

“I think we should do what the people of Berne want us to do,” he said. This would depend on if people came before the town board and proposed it, he added.

“I enjoy the work,” he said, adding that he enjoys serving his community.

Crawford has a wife and two sons. He is a member of the National Rifle Association and Elsmere Rod and Gun Club and enjoys hunting and gardening.

“I’ve enjoyed doing it,” he said, of being assessor. “I’ve enjoyed being part of the process.”