To the Editor:

I am Jim Kaufman and I am seeking your support for the office of tax collector for the town of Berne. I have owned property on Warners Lake since 2001 and made it my home since 2011.

I chair the Berne Democratic Committee. I, and other Row A candidates, have been trying to meet our neighbors face to face through public gatherings and home visits. Our committee also mailed over 1,500 letters to households in our community. The mailing contained information to help voters exercise their rights and protect their ballots. There was also a card identifying Row A candidates and a web address to allow voters to read up on the candidates.

When I heard that our current tax collector, Deb Flagler, was not seeking re-election, I met with her to learn the functions of the position. I learned that her duties relied heavily on record keeping, data entry, financial integrity, attention to detail, and personal responsibility.

I did not want to enter a position if I could not perform the tasks. It was clear to both of us that I could indeed perform the duties of tax collector. And Deb has agreed to stay on as my deputy tax collector should voters elect me.

My experience includes serving the Albany County Central Federation of Labor in the role of trustee for a period in the 1980s. Verifying expenses, filing reports, and record keeping were a significant part of that role, which also required financial integrity.

I was employed for 30 years by the United States Postal Service in various positions including Mailing Requirements Clerk, Bulk Mail Technician, and Dock Expeditor. All of which required skills of data entry, record keeping, attention to detail, and personal responsibility. While serving in the Mailing Requirements office, I created and presented training programs to train employees and customers alike.

During the 2008 national elections, the Albany District of the United States Postal Service, which served 705 Post Offices in the Northeast Region, appointed me Political Mail Coordinator. In that role, I assisted customers and employees in the preparation and processing of political campaign mail and ballot mail.

In 2015, retired from the USPS and, unhindered by the Hatch Act, I was elected treasurer for a statewide political action committee for a candidate seeking the office of the president of the United States. This role required knowledge of federal election regulations and proper reporting and filing of financial activity.

I spent many years on the executive board of Albany Local 390 of the American Postal Workers Union as its legislative director. Executive Board members are responsible for safeguarding the reputation and preserving the integrity of the local. In one of the three unions of which I am a member, I have also served on election committees and auditing committees.

Currently I serve as vice president of the Capital District Area Labor Federation and am running unopposed for executive secretary of the Albany County Central Federation of Labor, a position I will assume on Nov. 5, 2025.

I have been married for 51 years to my amazing wife, Elizabeth, and we are the proud and loving parents of James R., Angela Dio, and Joseph D. Kaufman. I am also the grateful person of Heidi, the loudest German shepherd on Earth.

Even though you know enough about me to make a choice for the office of tax collector for our town, I still want to meet as many of my neighbors as possible. And, if you have a dog, I hope you are not offended if I play fetch.

Jim Kaufman

East Berne