To the Editor:

My name is Jennifer Merrill-Fuller. I moved to Berne with my family in 1969 when I was starting third grade. A 1979 graduate of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school system, I moved back to Berne in 2000 with my husband so we could raise our daughter here, in a small, cohesive community. I just love our beautiful little town of Berne.

I have my parents to thank for inspiring the values of community participation and service. Over the years, I have become involved with the Berne Auxiliary, Friends of the Library, and most recently, the Switzkill Valley Volunteers. My career experience includes working for people with developmental disabilities in both the private and public sectors. I have been a case manager, clinician, and a standards and compliance analyst.

Now I am running for the Berne Town Council.

There are many issues facing our town. Taxes must be kept in line while providing quality services. We must care for the needs of our seniors and families. We must support agriculture and agri-tourism. We must provide our youth with social and recreational programs. We should foster park programs for our citizens’ outdoor enjoyment, and we must provide business opportunities appropriate to the vision of our citizens as defined in the town’s comprehensive plan.

Listening and kindness are fundamental to achieving these goals. Decisions must be based on what is right, not what benefits the few. Taxpayers need to know that their representatives in town government are willing to hear their concerns at meetings and be responsive to them. They need competent officials who carry out their duties with the highest degree of professionalism.

Our government representatives must appoint committed individuals to positions addressing public needs. When a dog is lost, the public must know there is a responsive, caring individual eager to respond to their needs.

They must be confident that projects undertaken benefit the town and its residents, save money, are not allowed to languish, but are completed in a timely fashion. They must know that pressing fiscal issues, such as the deficit of monies for the hamlet sewer system, will be shared to those affected, and solutions to remedy the problem immediately sought with regular updates.

Issues that might impact the financial well-being of the town must be shared with the public. The PESH [Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau] report and the LED [light-emitting diode] streetlight project are two examples.

I am eager to work for the town based on the Democratic platform of principled leadership, comprehensive land-use planning, a stronger rural and agricultural economy, sound fiscal management, and enhanced community strength and cohesion.

I am not a politician but a concerned citizen who wants our small town to be governed with compassion and a commitment to getting things done. I believe that participation by all is fundamental to the well being of our community.

I would like to do my part and contribute as a member of our town council. I hope you will endorse my candidacy with your vote in November. 

Jennifer Merrill-Fuller

Berne