by David Flint
[private]Cross Endorsed Or Running Unopposed
Rob Jaeger, Town Supervisor
Rob Jaeger, Project Manager/Engineer retired, Real Estate Broker and School Bus Driver, is running for a fourth term as Town Supervisor. He said that during his three terms in office the Town Board has tried to maintain a minimal increase or zero budget. “But this approach has left us in a situation where we have not kept up with expenses. The 2% cap as imposed by the State has not been complemented with any relief on mandates from the State. This leaves the Town Board looking like the bad guys if they have to override the cap.
“The largest portion of our budget is the Highway Department. This is what the public gets the most benefit from, and it is the hardest to achieve a balance of cost reduction while still providing service. Our equipment in this area takes a beating, and the life expectancy before major repair bills occur is 6 to 7 years. The last thing people want to hear is that a truck is broken and they won’t be plowed out or their road cannot be repaired.”
Anne Maxon, Town Clerk
Anne Maxon, a lifelong resident of the Town of Berlin, has been Town Clerk for 32 years and is now seeking another 2 year term. She does not see any major issues facing the Town Clerk at this time, but she does plan to explore with the Town Board the possibility of increasing Town Clerk hours to better serve the public. The transition from keeping the Clerk’s hours and records in her home to offices in the new Municipal Center, she said, has gone smoothly, equipment installed and everything set up to serve the public efficiently. Maxon’s goal is to help keep the Town running within a reasonable and realistic budget. “I look forward to serving the people the best I can,” she said, “and will always try to be there when people need me.”
Jim Winn, Highway Superintendent
James Winn is running for re-election with endorsement from both Republican and Democratic parties for a seventh two year term as Berlin’s Highway Superintendent.
Winn graduated from Berlin High School in 1978 and has experience in farming and logging aside from his 12 years maintaining the Town roads. Winn could not be reached for comment on current issues pertaining to the Highway Department.
Pamela DeShane, Tax Receiver
Pamela DeShane would like to welcome all new property owners to the Township of Berlin. She would also like to thank all property owners of Berlin for their support and dedication to her elected position as Tax Receiver for the past 22 years. “I feel I have been a dedicated individual as your Tax Receiver,” DeShane said. “I enjoy serving the public in the Township of Berlin.”
“One of the current issues I see running as the Tax Receiver,” she said, “is that there is no local bank here. This makes it difficult for me due to the laws regarding bank deposits. The Town, however, is working hard at establishing a new bank. Another problem that has increased over the years is change of addresses among property tax owners. I am asking anyone that has changed their address to please contact me or the Town assessors. I want to thank you for your support. I will see you in 2014.”
Town Council
(2 seats open)
Richard deLeon, appointed in January 2012 to fill a vacancy on the Berlin Town Board and then elected in November to a one year term, is now seeking a full 4 year term on the Board. His family was originally from Long Island, but deLeon was born in Texas where his father served in the Navy. DeLeon grew up in Berlin, later served three years in the Army including one tour in Iraq where he was awarded the Purple Heart. For the past seven years he has worked for the family business, a water treatment company based in Berlin. DeLeon said that the issue he cares most about is keeping taxes at a low level while still having a well functioning government. In addition to that he is concerned about getting the new municipal complex in order for the whole community to enjoy.
Stephen Riccardi is a lifelong resident of Berlin running for a 4 year term on the Town Board. He has for many years been involved in his family’s businesses. In the late 1980s he was appointed to the Berlin Land Use Committee that subsequently prepared the first set of land use regulations for Berlin. During the 1990s he was a member of the Town Council. During that time they closed the Town landfill and started the transfer station. Riccardi filled in as Town Supervisor for a short time when the Supervisor had to move away. He left the Board in August of 1999 for personal reasons. “If elected I would work to see that the Town’s vacant or under used properties become assets for the Town, look for ways to bring businesses into the Town and encourage the Town’s citizens to become more involved with the Town’s affairs,” Riccardi said.
John Winn, running for a 4 year term on the Berlin Town Board, has lived in the Town of Berlin all his life. He lives here with his wife Stacy and their two children, son Jordan and daughter Kylie. He works for the New York State Department of Transportation and previously worked for the Town Highway Department before going to NYS DOT.
He is seeking re-election to the Town Council “to continue trying to attract business to our scenic valley. I think this can be done, but it isn’t easy.”
Winn said he would also like to see in the future “something in the Town for the veterans that gave so much for us. I have suggested earlier that a memorial in the lot of the old highway garage would be nice.
“The Town Board we have now I think works well together,” Winn said. “We are elected to do what is best for the Town’s people, and as a Board we try to do just that. I would appreciate your support in the election.”
Assessor
(2 seats open)
Patty Baretsky has been a member of the Town of Berlin’s Board of three Assessors for the past nine years and is running for another 4 year term. She was named Chairman of the Assessors last month due to the resignation of the other senior member. Baretsky said she enjoys the job and hopes to continue to work for the people of Berlin. “I will continue to help everyone get the exemptions they deserve and keep a fair tax roll,” she said. “I have continued my training so I have the latest information I need to do a good job.”
Stanley Pettibone is a NYS Certified Assessor and has been an Assessor for the Town of Berlin for three years. He is now running for a full 4 year term. He is also the 2nd Assistant Chief in the Berlin Fire Department. “Along with Patty Baretsky I have been continually keeping the proper exemptions applied to whoever qualifies for them and keeping the tax rolls fair and equitable,” Pettibone said. “Thank you for your consideration.”
Patrick Soroka is running for a 4-year term on the Berlin Town Board. He is a graduate of La Salle Institute and Schenectady County Community College and a former realtor in the Capital District. Soroka could not be reached for comment on current issues pertaining to the Berlin Board of Assessors.
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