In 2012, Brian Maher started out as a Constituent Services aide in my office. It did not take him long to become my Director of Communications and Spokesman. He became my voice in the community, and acted as an extension of me in my later years in office.

It took a lot to put that kind of trust in someone but that is a testament to Brian’s personality and character. He shows you immediately who he really is and how much he cares about people. He doesn’t have time for bickering and is always looking to bring people together in an attempt to find common ground. As a combat veteran of World War II and Korea, I know how important it is to surround yourself with people who are competent and trustworthy.

Brian became my liaison to local municipalities. He worked with dozens of local Mayors and Supervisors. He worked on economic development projects, emergency weather events, environmental issues, planning and zoning issues, economic development projects and more. He led my capital grant program and identified major infrastructure projects within municipalities and walked those municipalities through the rigorous application process. It didn’t take long for word to get out that Brian Maher was the go-to guy for local municipal leaders. Brian personally had a hand in addressing more than $8 million in infrastructure improvements throughout the Hudson Valley.

The Town of Montgomery benefited greatly from this program over the past six years. Through Brian’s advocacy over $1 million was secured for municipalities within the Town of Montgomery. The Village of Maybrook invested in new sidewalks. The Village of Montgomery invested in enhancements to their parks and other municipal facilities. The Village of Walden funded a boat launch on the Wallkill River, a pavilion at Bradley Park, and $300,000 for a new community center. The Town of Montgomery received funding to help build a pavilion at Benedict Farm Park as well as other infrastructure improvements to their Town Hall. We were also able to obtain funding for several police departments within the Town of Montgomery to offset the cost of equipment and other needs.

Brian Maher did not take days off. He was on call 24/7. It did not matter what time of day it was or what he might have been doing at the time. The only time off I can remember Brian asking me for was when he made the decision to serve his country and join the United States Navy Reserves.

On Tuesday June 25 vote for a man who I know will carry on my legacy of service. Vote for Brian Maher to be the next Supervisor of the Town of Montgomery. You can trust him to lead the greater Montgomery community for many years to come.