To the Editor:
“Knowing and using your resources” is a mantra that needs to be followed by anyone with a level of responsibility. As a former chairman with a 23-member committee we would openly discuss pending expenditures and projects and would routinely seek outside assistance and guidance.

None of us, regardless of our experience, was expected to be an expert in every aspect of our position. Sexual orientation, religion, cultural and ethnic differences, political affiliation — none of it mattered. The combined focus was to ensure projects were successfully completed and we did the most amount of good for the most amount of people.

During my short time in Berne, I’ve learned and read about a few controversial issues. A road was improperly paved (ignoring the report given by an expert in the town), there was a death at the town garage and the state found safety violations (after an initiative for an independent safety audit was turned down), the state comptroller found the town was mismanaging finances (after ignoring a board member’s constant requests for proper financial review), and there is an outstanding request to explain a supposed unaccounted for $90,000 discrepancy in the purchase of a truck for the town (was this reviewed in detail prior to the purchase, or explained afterward?)

It appears that decisions are being made in a vacuum and many suggestions and comments are being dismissed. It will be a few days before the outcome of the town election is known. It could be a clean sweep for either party or can be a mix. Whatever the outcome, elected officials need to reach out to all available resources and consider all comments and suggestions to be able to make informed decisions.

Ken Guarino

Berne

Editor’s note: Ken Guarino is the father-in-law of Jean Guarino, the Democratic candidate for Berne town clerk.