Editor, The Spotlight:
I support Dan Morin for Bethlehem superintendent of highways. I have known Dan since Boy Scouts. Dan’s kindness, work ethic and insight into identifying waste at the highway department impresses me. His advocacy of simple solutions to the highway department’s problems of excess supervisor overtime, lack of employee cross-training and poor paving project management that resulted in the late or nonexistent leaf pickup are noteworthy. Savings created by better department management could be used to reduce highway taxes or build more linear feet of sidewalk.
It helps in the effective management of the highway department if the highway superintendent has performed all of the department’s laboring jobs, as Dan has. Regrettably, it appears that the party ringleaders in town hall would rather have a $97,999-per-year minder than a talented construction project manager as their Democratic nominee for superintendent of highways.
What bothers me the most about the department’s poor management is its lack of leadership. Good leaders find a way to use effectively the talents of their subordinates for the benefit of those they serve. When challenged in a primary election, poor leaders slam doors, refuse to communicate with their subordinates and spitefully forbid them from eating lunch with a fellow town employee.
We don’t need an engineer for highway superintendent in a department that subcontracts what little engineering services it uses; we need someone who can manage construction projects and will respond to citizens’ communications. Who today agrees with the 20/20 Advisory Group survey of Bethlehem citizens in 2009 that found leaf pickup and snow removal to be the two town services most exceeding citizen expectations (p. 18, 20/20 Advisory Committee Report)? I am proud of Dan’s courageous candidacy in standing up for department employees and Bethlehem citizens.
I also support the write-in candidacy of George Harder for receiver of taxes. George is a retired taxpayer services specialist from the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. George’s meticulous attention to detail, his understanding of the importance of accurately reporting tax payments to the town supervisor and Albany County finance director and his charming personality are desirable characteristics in a receiver of taxes. We should have an individual of the highest integrity in this office because that person is responsible for the transfer of millions of dollars of tax payments.
Supervisor Clarkson has claimed at town council meetings that Key Bank’s lockbox collection of taxes is “free” to the town. However, there is no free lunch in this world. Obviously, the bank is subsidizing this service with the profit associated with other services provided to the town. Receiver of Taxes Harder will compare other bank offerings to see which option is best for town taxpayers.
We need an honest candidate for receiver of taxes that understands state tax law and procedure. We need a candidate who is independent of the influence of those that control the town Democratic Party and their often-regressive policies. On Election Day, cast a write-in vote for George Harder to be receiver of taxes.
Jared King
Delmar
