by Bea Peterson
With all the hoopla over the National and State political races, the Town of Hoosick had to add a little something to the mix. In August Town Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland unexpectedly retired from his position after 25 years. [private]The position is an elected one and there was one year remaining in his term. Bill Shiland III, who has worked for the Highway Department for 17 years ran for the position on the Democrat ticket. Town Councilman Louis Schmigel, owner and operator of a general excavating and paving company started by his grandfather, Schmigel Excavating, has worked in the business for almost the same number of years as Shiland. He ran on the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines.
Schmigel won by 106 votes.
The breakdown of Districts follows. C = Conservative line, I = Independence line, otherwise votes are Shiland-Democrat, Schmigel-Republican
Districts Shiland Schmigel
1 – Village (Armory) 197 136 (C-17, I-11) 164
2 – Hoosick 194 285 (C-22, I-31) 338
3 – Buskirk 88 114 (C-23, I-14) 151
4 – North Hoosick 156 125 (C-14, I-17) 156
5 – Village (Armory) 173 107 (C-15, I-20) 142
6 – Town (CEO) 179 133 (C-23, I-22) 178
7 – Village (Armory) 234 151 (C-31, I-16) 198
Total: Shiland 1,221, Schmigel 1,327
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