I am writing this letter on behalf of Mike Hembury, as he runs for re-election as village trustee.

I grew up on Madison Avenue, right across the street from “Mike and Sue,” and their two wonderful daughters.  Some of my earliest memories are of Mike out in his front yard, training his K-9 police dog, “Butch,” and Sue coming over to my house to help, when I cut my eye on the swingset. This is to say that I have known Mike Hembury my entire life.  I can say with certainty that, outside of my father, Mike Hembury is the most honorable and trustworthy man I have ever known.  If you continue to look for a candidate who wholeheartedly has your best interests in mind, look no further than Mike Hembury.  

When I was in fifth grade, my father, Ernie Pettine, was elected trustee of The Village of Montgomery.  He remained village trustee until 2005, when his illness would not allow him to continue.  During my Dad’s time as village trustee, even at a young age, one thing became very clear to me - my father was a very honest politician.  He always looked at village situations in a simple way:  right vs. wrong, and what is best for the village.  He did this even, at times, when it meant that he’d have to go against what was the “popular” thing to do.  I know Dad did this with my sisters and I in mind, always wanting to keep the Village of Montgomery a place he could be proud to say he raised his kids in.  This was the way my Dad approached the job of trustee, and I know that this is also the way that Mike operates.  Mike is very proud of the place that the village is, was, and will always be.  A great place to raise your kids.  Every time I have spoken to him, since leaving the village 12 years ago, I could tell the village was left in great hands.  To me, and to many of you, Mike personifies what living in The Village of Montgomery is all about, and why it’s the greatest place to raise a family.  It’s not often, in politics, that one candidate is the clear choice for office.  This is one of those times, and this is why I felt obligated to write this letter.  Vote for Mike Hembury!