To the Editor:
It does not bode well for a change in the atmosphere of the local government when we read in the Oct. 14, 2021 edition of this paper that two of those who had served on the current Town Board and are seeking election again declined to participate in a public forum to hear their views [“Berne Town Board election: Eight compete for four seats”].

I urge everyone to vote in the upcoming election and to vote for a change in leadership by selecting (Row A) Peggy Christman for supervisor; Timothy Lippert, Jennifer Merrill-Fuller, and Patrick Martin for town board; Jean Guarino for town clerk; and Barbara Kennedy for highway superintendent.

During the tenure of the current administration comprised of several Republicans running for Town office, we have seen:

— The illegal firing of the competent, experienced, and responsive dog-control officer who was replaced with an individual with no experience and who could not fulfill the duties;

— The illegal dismissal of the planning board chair substituting an individual who lost his judicial appointment due to fraud, was convicted for a felony, and had no prior planning board experience;

— The undermining and neglect of a valued community park, including attempts to alienate the property from public use;

— The use of the courts and the taxpayers’ monies for frivolous legal actions;

— The dismissal of valued community volunteers without any rationale;

— Permitting a town official to work elsewhere during hours that conflicted with the town position, resulting in lack of supervision at the town job;

— The maintenance of a code inspector without necessary credentials;

— Poor oversight of the condition of the town’s highways and related work;

— A finding by the state comptroller’s office after an audit of the Town’s financial records that the board failed to provide sufficient oversight of financial records and exceeded its authority; and

— Poor and adverse communications among town officials and with the public particularly by curtailing the opportunity for public participation at town meetings.

While I could go on with a longer list of grievances against the current actors, I am hard-pressed to think of anything positive that they have accomplished.

I am hoping that a new town administration will take steps to:

— Create an open transparent atmosphere that allows for and listens to public comment;

— Welcomes and encourages volunteerism;

— Protects our natural resources including parkland such as Switzkill Farm;

— Carefully uses public dollars for projects that are necessary, legal, and sanctioned by the town;

— Addresses important community issues such as access to health care; broadband; senior services; road safety; and maintenance of town assets;

— Retains and supports competent and humane dog-control services; and

— Employs and encourages the use of mediation to resolve disputes whether they be related to town governance or between neighbors.

I  ask that the voters of the Berne community come out on Election Day, Nov. 2, to vote from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 30 Canaday Hill Road in Berne!  Or vote early on Thursday, Oct. 28 or Friday, October 29 from 9 a.m. to 5p.m., or Saturday, Oct. 30, or Sunday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m.  2 p.m.

Please help restore leadership that is effective, open to its constituency, works cooperatively with each other, and is responsive to us.  In this case, that is the Democratic slate.

Helene G. Goldberger

Berne