To the Editor:

Guilderland Town Supervisor Ken Runion is retiring this year. But I did not want Mr. Runion to go forth without telling him and Guilderland residents how much better Guilderland is because of Ken. 

A comprehensive list of town projects completed during Mr. Runion’s years as town supervisor would be quite long — from the very small (a new stop sign on Valley Drive) to the very large (the purchase of the golf course).

However, it is Ken’s overall accomplishments that I want to call attention to in this public thank you message — partly in hope that our next town supervisor will make sure that these improvements are preserved and enhanced:

— Fair treatment: Guilderland is about 50 square miles in area, strung out on both sides of Western Avenue for nearly 13 miles. Ken gave recognition — partly by designation of hamlets, partly by “Corridor Studies” but recognition that there are dozens of “settled areas” in Guilderland. Altamont, McKownville, Guilderland Center, Dunnsville, Sharps Corners, Carman Road, Karner Road, Westmere, Three Hills Terrace, and many more, each with unique needs. 

Each is a neighborhood with taxpayers and entitled to “fair treatment” — carefully considered zoning and commercial development, parks, sidewalks, street lighting, and so forth. Ken met with the “settled areas” (Presidential Estates, Guilderland Center Fire Department area, and so forth) neighborhoods and tried to make sure that each was listened to and treated fairly. This was a very significant change in Guilderland town government; 

— Approachable meetings: At board meetings — town board, planning board, zoning board, traffic safety hearings, or whatever — no one was cut-off or cut-down by board members. If you had something you wanted to say, you were invited up to the microphone and given the time and attention of board members. 

Residents were treated respectfully. This is another important change put in place by Ken; 

— Taxes and services: Effective pursuit of state grants to provide better services in the many parts of the town as a way to hold down property tax rates is yet another great accomplishment. Ken did not ignore our state and county elected officials. He showed that working with them could help our neighborhoods obtain services that were needed. 

Moreover, he is a careful administrator of the town’s taxes and expenditures but also of town employees. Frugal. Not wasteful. He knows what is happening inside Town Hall and throughout the town. I never had the feeling that things were occurring in town government that he was not aware of;

— Personally accessible: Not all elected officials have their home phone numbers listed in the public directory. Ken took calls and answered emails, at home and in his office. He met in his office with those that requested a meeting. He listened and was forthright in his answers. If you asked for suggestions, he gave them. He gave you his advice and treated you with attention and respect.

Thank you, Ken. 

Guilderland is a better place because of you — and I think people know it and appreciate it.

Don Reeb, president 

McKownville Improvement Association