Editor, The Spotlight:
Bethlehem residents voted in record numbers recently to elect rather than appoint our town highway superintendent. Now, in the upcoming Sept. 10 primary voters will choose their party’s candidate for this important position.
I strongly support Democrat Brent Meredith for highway superintendent. As a professional engineer (PE) with outstanding engineering experience on highway management and projects and the leadership abilities demonstrated as a military officer, Brent is uniquely qualified to be the highway superintendent that Bethlehem needs. He has also served our community for years as a volunteer fireman, as a coach of our young people in the town’s athletic programs, being a member of the PTA and in other ways. I appreciate that Brent has volunteered, quietly, for years – this is the kind of true public service our town needs, because it was not done for name recognition or adding a line to a resume.
Brent brings three additional important assets to the position, beyond his unmatched professional competence and skills to best lead the Highway Department’s myriad program’s, $7 million budget and 60 employees. First, he has the all-important people skills to work well with the highway staff, Town Board and other town staff. Second, he has the right public service perspective, to deliver the highest quality services and responsiveness taxpayers expect and deserve (and was the hallmark of retiring Highway Superintendent Greg Saggendorph’s years of service). And third, Brent’s strong environmental management and engineering background will bring unique expertise and advocacy to the highway superintendent position regarding expanding and maintaining sidewalks, pedestrian friendly walking and trail systems, recycling, beautification and other areas where the Highway Department should have a valid a role.
As a former Bethlehem supervisor and Town Board member, I have some insight into what our town needs in a highway superintendent position. Brent Meredith is clearly the best choice for our town.
I respectfully ask Democratic voters to please vote in the all-important Sept. 10 primary, and I hope you will consider my opinion that Brent Meredith is the best candidate for Bethlehem highway superintendent.
Sam Messina
Former Bethlehem supervisor