To the Editor:

Miracles happen.

Did I think at the close of the polls I had won the election for Berne’s tax collector with a mere 10-vote lead? No, I didn’t.

Did I think I lost the day after when I was trailing by 12 votes? Not exactly.

The count would not be official for eight days, so I hung on checking each day, waiting for a small miracle to come. What did come was Nov. 13 and the final count still showing me 12 votes behind.

Congratulations to Stephanie Audino. I wish you success in your position as tax collector for the town of Berne. 

I want to thank some people who made this campaign a most rewarding experience. Thanks to Congressman Paul Tonko (D- CD 20) for his warm support and words of inspiration at our “Meet the Candidates” event. Thanks to Alison Mclean Lane, Albany County Board of Elections Commissioner, for her guidance and Jake Crawford, Albany County Democratic Committee Chair, for his support.

Thanks also to the hard work and talents of the Berne Democratic Committee and the Berne Republican Committee who with members of the Conservative Party concluded that it is better to be allies in our struggles to place our town on a firm path forward. 

To those who supported our campaign through financial contributions, displaying our lawn signs, greeting us warmly when we showed up at your doors, and ultimately supporting us at the polls, thank you so much. You made it happen!

To our tremendous candidates who worked hard to bring about a desperately needed change in our town, thank you. Through your efforts we will have a productive town board; an intelligent, mature, and competent town supervisor; and a responsible, qualified, and diligent highway superintendent.

I met a lot of my neighbors, made some new friends, and got to spoil some good dogs but there is something else to be thankful for, I did get that miracle. I may have lost the election, but the town of Berne won.

Jim Kaufman

Chairman

Berne Democratic Committee