To the Editor:

Campaign signs sprinkle the hills of Berne, marking the start of another election season. Once again, we are blessed with many fine candidates.

As Election Day approaches, I wish to get people like you to take a closer look at  Joel Willsey and James Cooke who are both seeking positions on the Berne Town Board. For me, these two individuals stand out from the rest.

Joel Willsey will always hold a special place in my heart. I first met Joel when he was a little tyke, jumping up on the back of my husband's milk truck when it pulled in to pick up cans of milk from his family’s dairy farm. He later told me that Pat, my husband, was his first friend.

Less than a decade later, I was pleased to have him as a student. Joel was then much as he is today — bright, fearless, caring, and with a strong sense of fair play. Years later, I served with him as a trustee on the Town of Berne Library Board and was happy to see the man he had become.

Joel Willsey dedicates himself to selflessly serving his community and his family. When Berne needed someone to help design a transfer station, he was there. When his mother was ill, he was there to help care for her. When his mother-in-law passed, he was there and welcomed his father-in-law (Norm Smith) into his home.

Joel is a man who is both willing and able to serve our community. He is a long-time attendee at board meetings and up to speed on all the issues. We can trust Joel Willsey to be there for us!

Jim Cooke is also such a man. He grew up in Albany, attended Philip Schuyler High School, and went on as a Buck Sergeant (E-5) in the United States Army Infantry to serve in the thick of things in Vietnam. This combat veteran now wants to continue to “fight” for us.

Those of us who attend the Berne Town Board meetings regularly see a knowledgeable businessman with a deep understanding and love for the community he represents. He has an honest, practical approach and is an outspoken and fearless voice of reason.

For most of the 36 years Jim has lived on “The Hill,” he has worked tirelessly for all of us — notably on the comprehensive plan. His familiarity with planning and land use, in particular, will be particularly important to all property owners in the coming years.

He has been in the forefront of those fighting to protect the value of people’s homes and to decrease potential government restrictions on the use of private property. He is also a strong proponent of cable access throughout our community.

James Cooke is not a “yes man.”  Those of us who know Jimmy Cooke know that he never “plays politics.” He is an independent thinker who always puts the citizens of Berne first.

The above-mentioned reasons are just some of why I support the candidacy of both of these men. I believe their love for Berne and dedication to seeking solutions for strengthening and improving our community would be an asset for all of us.

Thank you for your time, and I hope you’ll join me in backing Joel Willsey and James Cooke on Tuesday, Nov. 7!

Helen Marie Lounsbury

East Berne

Editor’s note: Helen Lounsbury’s brother, Joseph Golden, is retiring from his post as Berne councilman.