With Kevin as CFO, Berne has no debt and has reduced taxes for five years

To the Editor:

I am writing to endorse Kevin Crosier for town supervisor in the upcoming election. Kevin is by far the most qualified candidate. Under his administration, the town has seen an increase in services; a reduction in taxes; and initiatives that require foresight, analysis, and coordination with the state, county, and other municipalities.

By law, Kevin is the chief financial officer of the town. He analyzes needs to create a viable budget, ensures that budget is balanced, and administers it once implemented.

His fiscal management is noteworthy; the town has no debt, yet has continued to buy new equipment for the highway department, improved the town park, planned for and developed a new library, improved water quality in the hamlet with a new sewer system, and acquired a new town park for our residents.

These are achievements, not accidents. They require considered, detailed planning; careful execution; and constant oversight. Expenses are reviewed, and means other than taxpayer funding explored.

Kevin’s intelligent use of available grants and his willingness to work cooperatively with other government and not-for-profit agencies, has launched many projects that a town as small as Berne could not afford otherwise.

The fact that for five straight years Berne has reduced taxes is remarkable. Each year our residents receive a property rebate check from New York State, a refund, because, under Kevin’s fiscal management, we have remained under the tax cap for three or more years.

The escalating cost of materials, wages, and services requires a manager with experience, vision, and a willingness to consider alternate means of funding them. There are several major fiscal challenges which will need to be addressed in the very near future — the closing of the Rapp Road landfill, and the rising cost of emergency medical services to name just two.

The town will be confronted with expenses that will require all the expertise, knowledge, and informed creativity an experienced supervisor can provide to ensure the costs are not passed onto the taxpayer. Kevin is that manager.

I have worked with Kevin for six years as a member of the town council. The council works cooperatively, coordinating efforts so each undertakes specific issues to research, analyze, and present to the other members.

As supervisor, Kevin supports our efforts, listens as we explain our findings, helps assess the issues, discusses his experience that relates to them, just as we all do. He also researches issues, discusses them with us, and listens as we express our opinions and ideas about them.

He is in regular, daily contact with each and every member of the board, informing us of situations that arise, problems encountered, and decisions that need to be made. We work as a cooperative team, with respect and regard for each other.

All these efforts, coordinated by Kevin in his role as supervisor, require an enormous outlay of time and effort by individual members of the board, and by him, time and effort that occurs well before issues are brought before the full complement of members.

It is a misperception that all the work takes place at the monthly meetings; anyone operating under that premise is sure to be surprised when confronted with the task of serving as supervisor or on the board.

As supervisor, Kevin is the primary contact for many issues. His job does not stop at his role as chief financial officer. If a grinder pump fails, Kevin is called. If the sewer pump station needs cleaning out, Kevin’s on it. If the electricity goes out, Kevin is there, checking the generators.

Residents call him without hesitation; they know and trust that, if there’s a problem, he will be there to help in any way he can. His phone rings constantly, no matter the time of day — 24/7. Few people recognize the extent, the depth and breadth, of his work. It is far more than the part-time job for which he is paid.

The role of supervisor is a complex amalgam of tasks. It requires an individual who is readily available, knows and understands the laws under which the town operates, and has the intellectual capacity to assess, analyze, and creatively resolve issues facing the town. The candidate who best meets that criteria is our present supervisor, Kevin Crosier.

Karen Schimmer, member

Berne Town Council

Editor’s note: Karen Schimmer and Kevin Crosier are Democrats. The Republicans have fielded a full slate of candidates for every post in Berne, including supervisor.

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