To the Editor:
Election Day, Nov.7, is just around the corner! Your votes for the future of Westerlo and the re-election of Supervisor Matt Kryzak and Councilwoman Amie Burnside are important.

In order to cast your vote, it is important that all voters are aware of the facts. Opinions and emotions have no place in the voting booth.

In a climate of increased inflation and the uncertainty of our country’s and state’s economy, it is important to elect those with the experience, knowledge, and skill necessary to navigate, implement, and plan for difficult financial times. Supervisor Kryzak and Councilwoman Burnside have the necessary experience and history to lead the way and carry Westerlo into the future.

Councilwoman Burnside has a long history in the town as well as history serving on the town board. In addition, her work experiences have lent her the insight necessary to lend sound financial advice and insight on financial matters.

Supervisor Kryzak has decades of experience managing and budgeting for a multi-million dollar company and negotiating contracts with the federal government. It takes a highly educated and skilled individual to be successful.

They have both put their experience and knowledge to work for the benefit of Westerlo, bringing our fund balance from almost $700,000 to $2.4 million in just a few short years. This is achieved with sound and conservative fiscal management.

They have planned for the future with a proposed Multi-Year Financial Plan and have planned to take care of, preserve, and maintain town buildings and keep all equipment safe with a Capital Project Improvement Plan. Together they have a common-sense approach to all fiscal responsibilities. Their combined prudent management of town finances has seen the tax levy under the tax cap for the past two years with a proposed levy of 0.03 percent this year!

They both are open and receptive to public comments and suggestions. Together and individually they met with, took phone calls, and answered emails from residents with suggestions and questions as well as employees and members of the town’s boards. They have and will continue to welcome appointments with anyone to discuss any matter or answer any questions. Communication is a two-way street.

In addition, Councilwoman Burnside proposed, and Supervisor Kryzak initiated the reading of all department and committee reports as well as all financial reports at town meetings. As a result, the public can hear the actual numbers pertaining to investments, interest, and a summary of reconciled bank accounts.

This information is also included in the meeting minutes and published online for anyone to read. During their tenure, the public has been and will continue to be made aware of the matters of finance concerning the town.

They have invested time, energy, and talent into developing programs and initiatives for the benefit of all residents.

Some of these include the partial funding of a UTV [utility task vehicle] for the fire company to use in rescues and firefighting in difficult terrain; volunteering for fire-company events, Hometown Heroes banner program and ceremony, and the development of the Veterans Garden to honor those who have and are currently serving; the development of a monthly Senior Lunch and Learn program with the help of the Hilltowns Community Resource Center, providing an educational opportunity and complimentary lunch for our seniors; and park improvements that include new equipment, repair, and cleanup and the addition of a pickleball court in the spring.

On top of all that, they have initiated other programs for all residents, which include Fall Festival, Christmas Tree-Lighting and pictures with Santa, and an Easter Egg Hunt and pictures with the Easter Bunny.

Their commitment to our town goes beyond the duties of their office. They also volunteer to be active members of town committees.

But what many do not know is that privately they donate to and volunteer for other local and town organizations and benefits serving their community. They do this out of the goodness of their hearts and because they are committed to each resident and not for the glory or recognition. They are good and honest people who have the best interests of all residents in mind.

With the full support of Councilwoman Burnside, Supervisor Kryzak picked up where the previous administration left off and continued regular and relentless communication with the USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] concerning the broadband development grant Westerlo received.

Because of the supervisor's daily experience in his business, he knows full well how to work with the federal government and was able to renegotiate the terms of the awarded grant and was successful in eliminating the $500,000-plus the town would have to contribute as its portion of the matching grant. 

He worked hard to keep the USDA on track so that the town would receive the necessary paperwork to put the project out to bid and it has been successfully awarded. He has had several meetings already to move on to the next phase and is keeping the USDA on track to forward the next phase of paperwork to proceed.

The town of Westerlo can look forward to more fiscally sound decisions that benefit all residents, initiating more programs for the community, continuing to grow public safety and well-being initiatives, more programs for seniors and the community.

They also plan to research and develop opportunities to grow agri-tourism and continue to develop a business-friendly atmosphere. They will continue to make Westerlo a place where life-long residents can stay and their children and grandchildren will want to live and raise their children.

These are the facts. These are proven reasons to cast your vote on Nov. 7 for the re-election of town Supervisor Matt Kryzak and town Councilwoman Amie Burnside.

God bless Westerlo!

Lisa DeGroff

Westerlo

Editor’s note: Lisa DeGroff chairs the Westerlo Republican Committee.