Dear Editor:

After a three-year hiatus, Alna had an enormously successful ham and bean supper where members from all parts of Alna worked, ate, and socialized together.

Among those donning aprons and volunteering were Ed Pentaleri, Alna’s first selectman. He spent a good portion of the evening working with Alna’s Fire Chief auctioning off pies to raise funds for the fire department.

Volunteering to help raise funds for the Alna Volunteer Fire Department is only one of the dozens, if not hundreds, of tasks, large and small, that Ed has done since he was elected 1 ½ years ago. He oversaw the rebuilding of part of the Cross Road, raised over $700,000 for the replacement of the Egypt Road Bridge, and launched the fund to Support Historic Alna buildings.

Perhaps even more importantly, he has played a key role in restoring civility and instituting good government practices in town. He made it his practice to reach out to residents across the political spectrum for ideas and advice on virtually every issue that has arisen.

Working with the other Selectboard members, he improved transparency in town affairs by obtaining the technology needed so Selectboard and Planning Board meetings could be broadcast on Zoom.  He provided leadership in instituting new policies to ensure opportunities for public and remote participation in public meetings, and updated the policy on public funds administration.

He also spearheaded the adoption of the town’s first ever ethics and conduct policy. 

After being elected, consistent with the code of ethics, Ed has carried out his sworn duty to uphold the policies, rules and ordinances of the town along with the prior and current Selectboards. Together, both boards have worked to enforce the decisions of the Board of Appeals and follow through on the decisions made by the prior Selectboard. 

One of the goals of both the prior and current Selectboards is to enforce Alna’s ordinances. 

Ed has simply carried out his duty as a Selectman. 

Honor Sage

Alna