• We do not support appointment of an officer of a political party committee. Town board members should represent all the citizens of Bethlehem, not just those enrolled in their party and the presence of a political party leader on the Board conflicts with that expectation. In addition, the appointment of a party officer also creates the potential for pressure and undue influence, because other Board members will eventually need to seek his or her endorsement for any future run for office.
• Similarly we are concerned about the potential conflict of interest in appointing someone who holds a top position in a neighboring municipality, one that could compete with Bethlehem for economic development investment as well as state and federal grants.
Lastly we urge you to arrange for a public forum to vet candidates with respect to their background, qualifications, and ideas, which would also allow the public to hear from those wishing to be considered for this interim appointment. Such an open and transparent process would be an excellent way to begin your work together as a new board.
Achieving success for our town’s residents will necessitate each of you to work together based on principles of mutual respect, cooperation and collaboration. Filling this board vacancy provides an opportunity to put those principles into practice right from the start. With that accomplished we have confidence that you can continue to move forward operating within this framework, resulting in many positive outcomes in 2012.
Sincerely,
Keith W. Bennett
Delmar
Patrick J. Bulgaro
Slingerlands
Paul and Maureen Cagino
Glenmont
Lisa Callahan and Mark Bryant
Delmar
Lois Dorman
Slingerlands
Lisa and Bruce Finkle
Delmar
John Guastella
Delmar
Susan and Tom Hager
Glenmont
Linda Jasinski
Selkirk
Judi E. Kehoe
Delmar
Mark Joseph Kelly
Delmar
Jean Kerr
Delmar
Kathleen L. Martens
Glenmont
Maureen McLeod
Delmar
Jan and Sam Messina
Delmar
Robert P. Miller
Delmar
Terry Moskowitz
Delmar
Chan Noether
Delmar
Ellie Prakken and John Smolinsky
Delmar
Ross and Marge Prinzo
Glenmont
Joseph P. Richardson
Slingerlands
Pam and Don Robbins
Slingerlands
William Seyler
Delmar
Hank and Carolyn Steadman
Delmar
Judy Thompson
Delmar
Keith Wiggand
Glenmont
Lois Wilson
Glenmont
Barbara Zaron
Slingerlands
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