Letter to the Editor: 'Proven Experience and Commitment to the Community'

To the Editor:

Now that summer is behind us, we are seeing things begin to heat up on the National political stage. I am so relieved that, in Bedford, we do not elect our Town Board members on the basis of party rhetoric. Instead, we look to proven experience and commitment to the community. On November 3rd, citizens of Bedford will have an opportunity to vote for the candidates who have both -- Lee Roberts and Don Scott.

As a former councilwoman and Town Supervisor, Lee has a proven record of serving with strength and grace and has earned the respect and esteem of this community for her ability to listen and collaborate. She has racked up a long list of accomplishments and has helped Bedford become one of the best places to live and work. I have worked closely with Lee on the Town’s environmental goals, since 2007. She is a founding member of Bedford 2020 and is responsible for positioning Bedford as a model of environmental action in the county and the State. I know Lee to be the best kind of public servant – one that has the unique ability to bring people together and who makes decisions by looking at all sides of an issue. There is no one more qualified for this job.

Although I have known Don Scott for many years from his work on numerous community organizations, I really got to know him while “in the trenches” together during the 2013 campaign season when we both ran for office for the first time. I have also had the pleasure of serving on the Town Board with Don for the past year. He is one of the most knowledgeable, effective, committed and hardworking individuals I have ever met. In his short time on the Board, he is already making an impact, helping to keep Bedford fiscally strong and the quality of services to residents high. He has initiated a number of improvements, including simplifying and streamlining the wetlands permitting process, urging a 5 year budgeting process and ushering the adoption of a local law that gives Bedford more control of our elections.

Both Don and Lee understand that local issues should be non-partisan and the role of the Board is to represent everyone. Both welcome the views and concerns of all residents with an open mind. Lee wants to return to service after a short retirement because she misses the work and knows she can make a difference. Don is running for election for the third time in three years – a grueling task - proving that he wants nothing more than the ability to continue to serve the people of this Town.

Please join me in voting for Lee Roberts and Don Scott for the Town Board on November 3. They are the candidates we know, with the experience we need. We all deserve Lee and Don as leaders of our Town!

Sincerely,

Mary Beth Kass
Katonah, NY