Byrne’s emergency services record matters

Dear Editor,

As a longtime Putnam County resident, an NRA certified firearm instructor, a Putnam County Firearm Owners Association founding member and a first responder, I write to strongly endorse the re-election of County Executive Kevin Byrne.

I have known Kevin for nearly 15 years. He was one of the very first members of the Putnam County Firearm Owners Association and has been a featured guest speaker at many of our meetings.

On Second Amendment issues, Kevin’s record is clear and consistent. In the Assembly, he introduced legislation to fully repeal the so-called SAFE Act, passed the law protecting youth shooting safety programs, and opposed bills that would unfairly delay law-abiding citizens from purchasing firearms.

As County Executive, Kevin has openly opposed increasing pistol permit fees and costly mandates on gun shops designed to discourage lawful ownership. These are real issues being pushed by Albany and at the local level in neighboring counties. Kevin has protected the privacy of pistol permit holders and remains a dues-paying member of the NRA, NYSRPA, and the Putnam County Firearm Owners Association.

By contrast, his opponents have no proven track record when it comes to the Second Amendment, veterans or first responders.

Kevin Byrne has shown he stands with the Constitution, the rule of law, and law-abiding gun owners. He believes we should go after criminals, not responsible citizens.

Kevin and I also share a deep commitment to public safety rooted in emergency services. He has more than 15 years of combined service as an ambulance crew chief with Westchester EMS, Putnam Valley Volunteer Ambulance, and the Kent Volunteer Fire Department, where he also served as a firefighter and three-term department president.

As County Executive, Kevin has prioritized our first responders. He invested in better radios and equipment and delivered a brand-new, state-of-the-art Fire & EMS Training Facility named in memory of Lt. Michael Neuner of the Brewster Volunteer Fire Department. In the Assembly he helped pass critical cancer coverage for first responders, and as County Executive he enacted a true 10% property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and EMTs who keep our communities safe and save taxpayers from the far higher cost of fully paid departments. Byrne's opponents? Zero experience in emergency service.

Putnam County needs and deserves experienced leadership with a proven track record on the Second Amendment and emergency services. He is someone who understands both our constitutional rights and public safety. No other candidate brings this to the table.

I urge my fellow residents to re-elect Kevin Byrne.

-Marilyn Miller, Brewster