To the Editor:
This is in response to my June 30 letter to the Enterprise editor [“What recourse do taxpayers have?”]. I take objection to the editor’s decision to add a note to describe my relationship to someone of a particular political party. [The note stated the letter writer is the father-in-law of a Democratic candidate for town office in the last election.]

The notation added no relevance and turned this into a partisan us-against-them issue which can no doubt further split this town. Drive through any of our neighboring towns and there are no examples of large signs obscuring the landscape. The town of Berne has a historical district and signage laws for a reason, to preserve the look and feel of the community.

When my house was being built, the town had the builder replace over $5,000 worth of windows because the ones chosen did not meet the aesthetics of the town. But an oversized sign does? When my concerns were not handled privately, I was advised to go public.

As for Mr. Lyons’s statements, I am sure, if he had access to the town supervisor’s email account, his memory would have been restored. [Former Berne supervisor, Sean Lyons, responded to the allegations in the June 30 letter, also in the editor’s note.]

I do have all the relevant emails, showing what was tried, as well as the actions taken by the building code administrator. Mr. Lyons and his board did attempt to correct wrongdoing.

It is my opinion that closure was not obtained because a new board would soon take over; it would be their headache. And it appears, to me, these in-progress items were not turned over to the new administration.

As an aside, Mr. Lyons mentioned one complaint was made in regard to this sign. I know of many who do not approve of it, and honestly, for aesthetic rather than political reasons.

Just one complaint? Why?

I already reached out to thank the new town clerk to praise her on the excellent town board minutes she produces. We need to give credit where credit is due and also speak up if something needs correcting. It makes the town better for all of us.

Kenneth Guarino

Berne

Editor’s note: The newspaper’s policy on political letters, like yours about a Trump sign, is to note close personal relationships if the author doesn’t.