To the Editor:

I am writing to express my intent to run for the Westerlo Town Council position in the upcoming election, and I would like to share my vision for our town’s future. My name is Beau Loendorf, I am honored to serve the last two years as our Westerlo Planning Board chairman, co-leading our Citizens Park Committee, and part of our Westerlo Hometown Heroes and Broadband Committee.

I believe addressing key issues like access to emergency medical services, broadband access for all residents, improvement of our town resources including our parks, and leading through representation transparency, we can make our community an even better place to live, work, and call home.

First and foremost, I am committed to strengthening our local EMS services. My husband has served in this industry for over a decade, and access to timely and reliable emergency medical care is a fundamental need for our residents. The safety and well-being of our community are paramount, and I will work diligently to improve our EMS capabilities, especially for our senior residents in town.

In today’s digital age, reliable broadband access is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Our current leadership has made promises over the last few years, but little has been done to expand high-speed internet access to certain areas in our town. And with constant growth in this industry, we need to ensure we are working with service providers and local organizations to bridge the digital divide that exists within our community, and furthermore plan for what is to come.

Efficient management and allocation of town resources are vital to ensuring a high quality of life for our residents. We should identify areas for improvement and find cost-effective solutions to enhance public facilities, maintain our roads, and support local businesses. By focusing on responsible management, we can make our town more attractive and sustainable. I do believe through investing in our parks we can create spaces for all ages to come enjoy, including our dogs with the addition of a dog park in our South Westerlo Park.

Transparency and open communication with any community is important; however in a small town it is the cornerstone of effective representation. If elected, I will strive to make town board meetings and topic discussions more accessible to residents, encourage public participation, and regularly ask questions to protect our residents and this community. I believe in transparent and accountable government that is responsive to the needs and concerns of all residents.

I am committed to working with our other board members on all boards, residents, all town employees, and local organizations to address these critical issues. As someone who is looking to start a family here, I want to ensure I have done my part in creating a vibrant community.

As a coach for the Special Olympics, I want to ensure we have access for any resident with any disability, and we have resources to support them. And as a Rotarian, I want us to continue to have pride in calling Westerlo home by growing our community events and service projects. Together, we can continue to build Westerlo as a town we are all proud to call our home.

Thank you for your support.

Beau Loendorf

Westerlo

Editor’s note: The town of Westerlo was announced as the recipient of a roughly $1.7 million federal grant in the spring of 2022 for the purposes of expanding broadband infrastructure. In September of this year, the Westerlo Town Board awarded the bid to Mid-Hudson Cable, which said it would use the money to lay down nearly 40 miles of cable that would provide broadband access to 301 homes in the town.