My name is Kaitlin E. Haas and I am a current Town Councilwoman for the Town of Highland, running for re-election. I am proud and thankful to be nominated and endorsed by the Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties for this position.

I am a seventeen year full-time resident of the Town of Highland, but have spent every summer of my life here. The choice to make my life and career here was easy, and one I appreciate every day. I completed my undergraduate studies at Boston University and was awarded a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Marist College. My professional career finds me as an administrator at a large non-profit, where I have been for ten years. Personally, I have been married for eleven years to Jeffrey Haas, and we have a nearly three year old son, Callan James. Two English Springer Spaniels kindly share their home in Yulan with us.

I have enjoyed my first term as Councilwoman, learning and growing with every opportunity, but rooted in my desire to serve the community and keep it a place that is safe, affordable, beautiful and serene for residents and visitors. I serve on the Constable Committee, Emergency Management Committee (completed Emergency Management Certification and Training, Tier 3), Youth and Parks Committee, and Personnel Committee. I spent six days living at Town Hall, our Emergency Operations Center, in March of 2018 when while we endured a ten day power outage. With our team, we led the emergency response, secured resources, prepared meals, provided shelter, provided respite for emergency crews, and protected the health and safety of our residents. We were back again to the EOC with the spring storm that left the town without power for six days. I testified on behalf of the Town in front of the Public Services Commission on the failure of NYSEG’s response.

I look forward to continuing in this capacity, to serving and supporting the needs of the community as we continue to battle through a pandemic that has become an endemic. I am excited to oversee the administration of the Community Impact Grant-Silver Feather Award from Sullivan Renaissance after I successfully wrote and submitted the grant proposal and comprehensive budget. The multi-faceted project will focus on the hamlets of Barryville and Pond Eddy, but beautify the entire town.

I thank you for your support during my first term and look forward to the next four years.