To the editor:

My name is Kevin Rode, and I would like the opportunity to serve the residents of the town of Lysander as their town clerk. I have been a resident of Lysander all but two years of my life and currently live in Highland Green in Radisson with my girlfriend and her daughter. 

I have been a regular attendee and have actively participated at Lysander Town Board meetings for the last five years. I have paid close attention to the issues facing the town, as well as the actions of our elected officials in response to those issues. I have also written letters to our local papers encouraging other Lysander residents to attend meetings and take an active role in their local government.

I am running for town clerk because I believe the residents of Lysander deserve an elected official that will work for them regardless of political affiliation. In my years of attending our town government meetings, I have grown tired of seeing service to the people take a back seat to party politics. As town clerk, I can also help provide checks and balances to the town board. One of the town clerk’s many duties include attending all town board meetings to record the board’s activities in the minutes. These minutes become part of the historical record of the town, and in order to maintain their integrity, the clerk has to follow local law with regard to what’s required of them and the town board.

I will work to increase the efficiency of the town clerk’s office using my experience with record-keeping and the management skills I have developed throughout my career.  I have held many management positions throughout my work experience. I have worked for both large and small companies, and I have managed anywhere from three to 45 employees. My goal is to have a town clerk’s office that is efficient, non-political and whose main priority is to serve the citizens of the town of Lysander.

I feel the residents of Lysander deserve an elected official in the town clerk’s office that understands that the monies that pay for our local government are hard-earned, should be used conservatively and the office should be run as efficient as possible.

I would also like to encourage the residents, voters and taxpayers of the town of Lysander to pay close attention to the budget work sessions during October.  After attending the last four years of budget work sessions, they definitely give you a greater understanding of our local government. I thank you again for your time and consideration.

Kevin Rode

Lysander