Melodymoments

These shoes are made for walking!

Balloons, confetti and bubbles!  We have reached our 2,000 home!!!  Now with only 99 days left until the election, we need to step up our efforts and get the lead out!  The goal is to reach 7,000 more homes by the end of October.

Last week we picked up our lawn signs and started distributing them all over town. What a flurry of activity those signs have caused. People are calling asking for their own sign to display on their lawn.  At this rate, I'll go through all the signs ordered and will have to place a second order before they mysteriously disappear. Being an optimist and only thinking positive thoughts, I know I will only have to replace those signs that actually grow legs and wonder off.  I would hope the old strategy of "borrowing" an opposing party member's sign is dead.  To me, taking someone's sign is like stealing their property - you wouldn't "take" their car from the lawn, so why would you "take" their sign?   

In addition to walking, we had the most fun making ice cream cones and shakes on Friday evening for the Glenmont Fireman's Fair. They had a great turnout.  The rain held off until most people were able to get their meals so the ice cream window slowed down early.  But we'll be back this Friday mixing and dishing again.  Volunteering for the fair is fun and easy.  I encourage everyone to get involved with a local organization and help make a difference.  This is the second year we have volunteered at this fair and look forward to many more.

We attended a few more meetings and listened to our neighbors discuss the issues they feel are most important to them.  As an elected official - it is important to actively listen to all the concerns and issues and help find the right solutions to those issues.  Most importantly, every neighbor needs to be treated with respect when they come before you with a concern.  It is imperative for the representative to find a solution and let the neighbor know the outcome.  Common business sense, right?  If a customer has a problem, you actively listen, determine what it is you can do to find a solution and respond to the customer quickly. I can assure you - as a Town Board Member - finding solutions and responding quickly will be first on the agenda. if the neighbor took the time to bring the problem to my attention, then it is important enough for me to find a solution.

This week, we are back out there, walking and talking. Looking forward to meeting new neighbors and sharing some solutions with them.  Always ready to listen - burns4townboard@yahoo.com.

Mel

The Howl of the Weather

The last week on the campaign trail reminds me of the great oil on canvas by non other than Frederic Remington, "The Howl of the Weather".   The painting was completed in 1906 and depicts three men in a canoe, rowing against the waves of the mighty St. Lawrence.  His brush strokes and use of color really give you the feeling that the water is extremely rough and not a very friendly place.  But in fact, that body of water is a great place for swimming, boating and enjoying a jet ski ride. In the winter, it tends to rear it's ugly head, but most of the time it is rather friendly and inviting.  Despite the weather we had last week in Bethlehem, every home we visited and resident we met, were friendly and eager to learn more about the campaign.  There seems to be an overwhelming feeling that it is definitely time for some change in our community.  I should point out that not only did we visit the homes of neighbors who are registered in this party but all of the neighbors on the street!  It doesn't matter what party you belong to, this is our community and I will be representing every neighbor. If I can't knock on the neighbors door who is not in the same party and listen to what they have to tell me, then I should not be running for a community-wide position. I should be running for my political party leadership.

In addition to walking the neighborhoods, standing at the Post Office, supporting the VFW campaign to bring "The Wall That Heals" to the Elm Avenue Park in August by attending their benefit dinner, to attending a rousing interfaith service at the Delmar Reform Church, to meeting with the Blue Star Mothers, to hosting the Bethlehem Chamber Women's Business Council Pot Luck Dinner, (had to relocate due to torrential downpours to my home), to attending the CACC Meeting, to attending the Planning Board Meeting, to meeting the volunteers at the Fire Station on Glenmont Road, to enjoying lunch with a group of women business owners from all over the capital region, the grand total of neighbors we have met is now over 1,600.  This week is well on the way of putting us over the 2,000 mark!

If you have a question or a particular topic you would like to discuss with me, call me at 518-475-0942 or email at burns4townboard@yahoo.com.