Editor, The Spotlight;
The New York State Comptroller recently released results of his annual fiscal stress monitoring for all municipalities in the state. Not only did Bethlehem receive the best marks among the 19 municipalities in Albany County, but the town received a perfect zero percent “fiscal stress” score, which is a measure of short- and long-term budgetary solvency. This is attributed to talented town employees and the professional management and prudent decisions made by Supervisor Clarkson and the town board.
The town’s budget will be lower this year than it was four years ago – and that was accomplished without layoffs or elimination of services. Last year Standard and Poor’s cited the town’s strong financial status and farsighted budgeting by upgrading Bethlehem’s credit rating to AA+. In 2013, Bethlehem was awarded a $776,107 Local Government Performance and Efficiency Award from the State of New York, which the town has used for tax relief, sidewalk expansion, and other civic improvements. While there is always room for improvement, it is clear by numerous objective measures that the state of our town is extremely strong and the envy of our region.
Some of the budgetary decisions made over the past few years have been opposed by special interests – such as the police unions’ opposition to rein in overtime spending. Now two candidates with direct ties to the police unions, Jim Foster and Dave Harrington, are running on the Republican line for supervisor and town board, respectively. Neither Mr. Foster nor Mr. Harrington has any experience in municipal management. Mr. Foster has never even voted in a town election, and Mr. Harrington only sporadically. This lack of knowledge – or interest – in town governance shows.
Mr. Foster, a 32-year-old attorney, has taken a leave of absence from a job in Manhattan to pursue an alternative career in politics. Mr. Foster asserts that the town can increase the size of our police department without raising taxes by “finding efficiencies” (which he never specifies). The town is already operating with extreme efficiency, and the idea that the size of the BPD can be increased without raising taxes or cutting core services elsewhere is either naïve or evasive, but it clearly is not good management.
Mr. Harrington’s main campaign issue appears to be his claim that the town has “refused” his attempted donation of a surplus dog from his business. In my four years on the town board, no one from the BPD has ever suggested a need for a canine unit. Canine units are a significant expense, especially for a relatively small suburban force – with the cost of kenneling, food, veterinary care, equipment, training, insurance, and special vehicles dwarfing the cost to merely acquire the dog. The Albany County Sheriff’s Office provides canine services to the BPD without charge when needed, which is an appropriate way to provide a specialized and infrequently needed resource.
Bethlehem is a town of approximately 35,000 with an annual budget of over $40 million. The town is responsible for core services that contribute a great deal to our high quality of life. Town Hall is no place for amateurism, silly proposals or catering to special interests. Management of the town requires the kind of serious professionalism, expertise and integrity demonstrated by Supervisor John Clarkson over the last four years.
Jeffrey Kuhn
Bethlehem
Editor’s note: Jeffrey Kuhn is a member of the Bethlehem Town Board and Chairman of the Bethlehem Democratic Committee.
