In answer to Tom Prendergast’s letter in last week’s newspaper, the town board majority voted to establish a bookkeeper appointed by the full Town of Tusten Board. The full board traditionally voted as a whole in agreement with the appointment; however, Supervisor Harrison took it upon herself to fire the previous bookkeeper and to take upon these duties herself. The supervisor has now changed her mind on assuming these duties and now wants to appoint a bookkeeper herself, after recommending that this position not be either established or funded in this year’s budget.

The board majority feels that it will be impossible to reliably fill the position with a competent individual who will be subject to both the term and whim of a sitting supervisor. If the job is not stable and the employee can be terminated every two years, who would take the position in the first place? The board majority recognizes this, and is taking the vote to the people on July 12 for them to decide and to take the decision out of any one person’s hands. The board majority understands the tough times all taxpayers are having, and will make every effort to make the position of bookkeeper the least financial burden possible, which now all board members realize is crucial to the operation of the town.

Carol Ropke Wingert

Narrowsburg, NY