by Bea Peterson
Ideal weather conditions didn’t add to the numbers at the polls in the Town of Hoosick this past Tuesday. Voter turnout was more than 250 shy of what it was two years ago. None the less, Republican incumbent Supervisor Keith Cipperly defeated Democrat Laura Reynolds by more than 200 votes.
Twenty year Democrat Councilman Bob Ryan and first time candidate Marie
O’Neil were also defeated. With the victory of newcomer Bruce Patire and eight year Councilman Mark Surdam, the entire Board is now Republican.
On Wednesday evening it was business as usual as the Board met for a final review of the 2012 budget, Councilman Ryan making his voice heard on a budget for the last time. Reynolds and Patire were also at the meeting. Afterwards Supervisor Cipperly and Reynolds commented about the election.
“It was an off year election,” said Supervisor Cipperly. “A lot of people got out to vote, and I appreciate that.” He added, “Laura can run circles around me when it comes to the budget, but I think my support was based more on the other decisions I make.” Cipperly sees many issues ahead. “There’s the water problem with the Town and the Village,” he said. “We have to talk.” The Town Hall is also a large issue. He added, “Personally, I feel I haven’t done enough for the people along Woods Brook.” A possible problem came up during the budget meeting. Now that Ed King has been elected Pittstown Supervisor, will he still want to be the Hoosick Building Inspector? That may be another issue.
Laura Reynolds said she will continue to attend Town Board meetings. She said she was disappointed, of course, that she lost. “I tried, and I got beat. And I know I could do the job.”
She added, “I want to thank Bob and Marie for campaigning with me. I would like to thank the Democrats for endorsing me and everyone who helped during the campaign.” As former Hoosick Falls Mayor, Reynolds understands the stress that comes with holding public office. “It’s a thankless, difficult job,” she said. “You always hear the negatives.” She was sorry to see Ryan go out after serving the community for 20 years. With her background in government, budget and finances, she said, she will continue to attend meetings and to keep the people informed about the issues.
In the past it has been easy to tally the votes from the seven Hoosick districts. With the new voting machines, however, the totals are all sent by disc to Troy without stopping first at the Town Clerk’s office.
