Editor, The Spotlight:
I write to express my thanks to those who voted for me for Highway Superintendent in the Sept. 10 Democratic primary. I am very appreciative and grateful for your support. Your support affirms my belief that we need a qualified candidate to be the next Highway Superintendent. I can promise Bethlehem residents that I will continue to work hard in the upcoming weeks to secure success in the General Election on Nov. 5.
I also want to thank my Democratic opponent in the highway superintendent’s race – Frank Zeoli. While we have different backgrounds, we share a commonality – we both put ourselves out there to seek the opportunity to be on the ballot. Seeking public office is not easy – and while rewarding and energizing – it is a humbling experience. I appreciate Frank’s efforts and commend him for running a great campaign.
I will now continue my campaign to convince Bethlehem’s residents that I am the best candidate to serve as highway superintendent. I am the only engineer in the race and am a former Army officer. I believe I have the technical knowledge, leadership experience and background to best run the Highway Department. I have also been involved in the community and have spent countless hours volunteering in Bethlehem, as a coach, as a BC schools volunteer and as a former Delmar firefighter.
I also have a vision about how Bethlehem’s quality of life can be improved through the proactive efforts of our Highway Department. I believe that roads and infrastructure are a vital part of our quality of life and can be a catalyst for positive change. First, I want to improve road safety for pedestrians, riders and drivers. I believe we should prioritize improvements to make Bethlehem a safer, more pedestrian and rider friendly community. Second, I believe the Highway Department should work closely with other departments in town government as well as local organizations to improve our aesthetics and beautify our town. We need to prioritize beautification projects that also enhance our safety and create a stronger community feel. This is also a smart investment that strengthens our property values and makes Bethlehem a more desirable place to live. Third, I will maximize the use of technology to deliver services and create efficiencies. Specific areas to focus on will be to tap web-based and GPS technologies to improve existing services and reduce costs. Last, I will focus on creating partnerships to make improvements and enhance services. I will do this by leveraging county, state, federal resources and engaging policymakers at all levels. It is essential to maximize our collective resources to improve our safety, strengthen our infrastructure and beautify our town.
Again, thank you Bethlehem voters for supporting me on Sept. 10. I look forward to working hard in the next seven weeks to secure your support on Nov. 5.
Brent Meredith
Candidate for Bethlehem superintendent of highways
