I know the man behind the office. Lucas has my vote.

Dear Editor,

Being a member of the North Salem Seniors Club gave me the opportunity to attend their Oct. 13 candidate forum.

At the forum I heard from both candidates running for the position of North Salem Town Supervisor. I left that afternoon reflecting on something that matters deeply to me: the character of the people who serve our town. What stood out to me during the forum was not a clever remark or a political gotcha moment. It was the reminder that public service should be about what can be accomplished for the people of North Salem, not about finding ways to embarrass or diminish an opponent.

I’ve known Warren Lucas and his wife Susan for decades through my wife’s involvement in the North Salem Lions Club. Over those years, I have come to know Warren not simply as our town supervisor, but as a gentleman, a devoted family man, and someone whose love for North Salem is genuine. Warren has never struck me as someone who approaches life through negativity. In all the years I’ve known him, I have seen his kindness, strong moral character and willingness to help others. During the many storms we have had here in North Salem, he feverishly worked the phones calling NYSEG, fighting to get our electric service restored. He worked to be sure the sick and elderly stranded in their homes were not in danger. He coordinated with the highway department to be sure the roads were cleared of fallen trees and debris.

The time Warren puts into being our supervisor certainly qualifies as a full-time commitment. The phone calls, meetings, projects, emergencies, and countless responsibilities do not simply end when the workday is over. He gives an extraordinary amount of his time to North Salem, even while on vacation. This July he dedicated part of his vacation time securing the $7.8 million in grants we needed for the two Croton Falls projects.

The candidate forum did not change what I already knew about Warren Lucas; it reinforced it. I have had the privilege of knowing the man beyond the political office. I believe his kindness, integrity, humility, and a willingness to serve others are qualities that make Warren an exceptional human being. For me, the Oct. 13 forum was a reminder of the character and commitment I have witnessed in Warren Lucas for decades. That is why my choice for town supervisor remains Warren Lucas.

-Howard Hellwinkel, North Salem