To the Editor:

I would like to officially announce my candidacy for re-election to the office of town clerk for the Town of Morristown. As a lifelong resident of the town I have had the opportunity to get to know the people of our community. I bring with me a strong record of community service to the people of Morristown. I also bring 16 years of experience as your town clerk.

During that time, I have been part of a significant change in the way government is conducted. The office I work in today would be totally unrecognizable to the one I entered in January 2002.

Today, a large part of what we do is accomplished digitally. I piloted and helped form the tax collection program used across New York State. My contacts throughout state and local government give me access and assistance that take years to build and are valuable to my constituents. My senior constituents know they always can get help filling out exemption forms and various applications with me.

Over my time in office I have written grants for the town totaling fifteen thousand dollars, resulting in the modernization of town records, administered financial oversight for the River Road East wastewater project, at no cost to the taxpayer, a task that spanned three years and was not part of my duties, which saved the taxpayer over ten thousand dollars in administrative costs.

I designed, built and maintain the town website, created and run the town Facebook page, again, at no cost to the taxpayers. I have instituted a travelling rabies clinic around the town. I have my office open thirty hours a week to take care of the varied needs of town residents. My constituents know that if you call my office for assistance we work hard and go the extra mile for you. I will continue to be a strong advocate for local control of government.

Currently, I am working on a multi- year records digitization project that will make records more accessible to the public. I am gearing up for the 2018 Census update and the 2020 Census, and I am in the planning stages for the town’s 200th anniversary in 2021. I want the opportunity to complete these and other projects.

In closing I am asking my fellow town residents to support me in my run for the office of town clerk. In return, I promise to continue to provide the excellent service you’ve come to expect, and to be there to assist you with all the resources my office has.

I look forward to visiting with my constituents to discuss issues important to you during the election season.

David Murray

Morristown town clerk