To the Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to say how much I love living in the town of Berne, a truly beautiful place, and I am so thankful for the property that I reside on.

Helene Goldberger, Berne

We believe the best way to honor Peter Becker is to prevent deaths like his in the future. Responsible town leaders, including the highway superintendent, must be transparent about what went wrong and must correct the violations as soon as possible. This is essential for restoring public trust. It is also a matter of life and death.

Berne Town Clerk Anita Clayton said that the town’s combative political atmosphere isn’t why she’s retiring, but that she found a recent interview with the Berne Democratic Committee “very upsetting.” 

WESTERLO — Robert Peck, who loved spending time with his family, died on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. He was 60.

He was born Sept. 24, 1960 and raised in Westerlo until he moved to Mississippi.

NEW SCOTLAND — Aaron M. Ross of Westerlo, 41, was charged on Friday, Feb. 5, with aggravated driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, according to a release from State Police in New Scotland.

The conservancy’s attorney argues that the lawsuit is untimely and based on a misunderstanding of New York State Town Law, and that not all relevant parties were included in the demand for relief.

Berne highway employee and former fire chief Peter Becker was killed on Oct. 21 last year when he was crushed by a dump truck he was working on at the town transfer station.

No zoning board of appeals members would need to be removed before the end of their term since, at the same meeting, the town board accepted the resignations of two members, including Chairman Doug Roether.

EAST BERNE — Matilda Mary Nicklas Nagengast “entered eternal life on Saturday, Feb, 6, 2021,” her family wrote in a tribute.  She was 95.

 “Family and faith were a constant strength in her life,” the tribute said.

Born in Albany, she was the daughter of the late George and Matilda Wilpers Nicklas.