Wants opportunity to serve constituents in a more individual capacity
(Sullivan, Wampsville) Supervisor John M. Becker (R – Sullivan) announced recently that he is running for highway superintendent for the town of Sullivan; he said he’s been filling in since Elwin “Sonny” Centner died earlier this year, while simultaneously continuing to execute his duties as town supervisor and chairman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors.
“There is some misinformation that I’m getting paid for both positions, and I want to clear it up that I’m not,” Becker said. “Between the salary and benefits we’re not paying for the highway superintendent, we will save about $100,000 this year.”
Becker said he wants the job because it is challenging and brings something different every day.
“I worked very closely with Sonny for more than a decade, and I got to know the department and the equipment,” Becker said. “The town needs somebody who knows the job and can step in, and I can do that.”
According to Becker, the additional work has gone smoothly, as he knows the town’s roads, the road schedule and the people.
“I look forward to working with the new town supervisor and working closely with him or her on the projects we already have in progress,” Becker said. “We have a great crew, and I have enjoyed getting to know them better.”
According to Becker, people mistakenly believe he will be filling all these jobs indefinitely.
“If elected as highway superintendent, I have to vacate the supervisor and board chairman positions the end of the year,” Becker said, adding that he won’t abandon the town or county in regard to projects undertaken during his tenure.
“Various large projects I’ve undertaken at the town, I will carry with me, such as the sewer districts and Salt Springs Road water district,” Becker said. “The idea is to move the town toward more of a department of public works model, instead of just highways, and I have a lot of that experience under my belt.”
In addition, Becker said he also would not abandon the county during the court house renovations in Wampsville.
“I plan to be helping out with that in any way I can through its completion,” Becker said.