To the Editor:

I have lived in the town of Berne my entire life. My family settled here, I’ve raised my children here, my family, and it’s a place I could never imagine leaving.

Family to me is something you build. Whether human or animal, someone or something you put that much care and love into becomes your family. This community, the one I’ve spent my entire life surrounded by, has become my family. That is what drives me to run for highway superintendent — my family. 

Over the past several years, this town has been turned upside down. We have witnessed violations, political feuds, lack of supervision, mismanaged financials, and loss. This is not the way someone protects their family.

I believe I have what it takes to change that, to manage the highway department to make sure that we are taking care of both my family, and yours. To do it, we need to work together.

Safety. The safety of our team members — our neighbors — is paramount. We will work together to instill a culture of safety into our department and our town. One where we take road specifications, procedures, and precautions seriously — with annual training (including lock out/tag out); personal protective equipment; state Department of Transportation compliance; and road standards, up to, or better than, code. 

Being present. A department cannot run efficiently, or effectively, when the department head is not present. There needs to be continuous training, monitoring, leadership, and management. I will be present. Onsite: working, supervising, and supporting our team — or, at the highway garage, responsibly managing the taxpayers’ money, and overseeing our team in the garage. I promise the people of Berne that I will be present. If I need to take on additional employment, I will do so outside of the normal operations hours of the highway department.

Shared services. A taboo phrase for too long — we have spent dollars battling over pennies for too long. We need to build stronger bonds with our neighboring towns to lower budget costs and implement a solid shared-services agreement. Building substantial professional, and personal relationships will result in even stronger community roots. 

I look forward to running for office and hope that the people of this beautiful town are ready for a positive, responsible change. My charge is to make sure that the family of the town of Berne is safe. 

Barbara Kennedy 

East Berne