by David Flint
[private]Republicans
Larry Eckhardt, a resident of Stephentown for 54 years and member of the Town Board for 14 years, is seeking election to a third 2 year term as Town Supervisor.
He believes that our State government has made New York one of the most expensive places in the United States to make a home, raise a family and conduct business and that we should all work together to educate our elected representatives and bureaucrats in the County, State and the federal government about how unfunded mandates, hidden taxes and increased fees make it costly to live in our rural towns.
“Also important,” he said, “are “the many community activities throughout the year that enhance the spirit and sense of pride in our small town, sponsored by organizations like the fire department, veterans, the library, Scouts, local churches or by local businesses or individuals. I believe we can all serve our community by volunteering, being supportive and committed to helping these wonderful events succeed.
“Thank you for your support of my leadership efforts of the past. I will continue to serve to the best of my abilities.”
Jason Guilbeault, running for Town Council, is a lifelong resident of Stephentown and has been an active volunteer firefighter for over 15 years with a degree in Fire Protection Technology from Schenectady County Community College. Following two years in Iraq as a combat firefighter, he started on a career as a State Corrections Officer at Greene County Correctional Facility. He has been a volunteer for the Rensselaer County Search and Rescue squad, an umpire for the Shatford Park Little League, basketball coach for the Stephentown Youth Commission and is a member of the Stephentown Trail Riders Association.
Foremost among Guilbeault’s concerns is securing the Town a bright and prosperous future. He hopes to serve Stephentown by taking a multifaceted approach toward providing needed services and ensuring that current and future residents may remain and prosper in Stephentown. His goals include attracting and encouraging new business, using his education and experience in emergency services as a professional EMT and firefighter to improve disaster response plans, ensuring the efficient dissemination of public information, expanding youth activities and services to seniors and coordinating community-wide activities to encourage greater community involvement from residents.
Ruth Rieger, running unopposed for Tax Collector, lives in the one room schoolhouse on Garfield Road where she once was a pupil some years back. She later attended New Lebanon schools. If elected she will start on her 18th two year term in January.
Rieger pointed out that the job of Tax Collector has increased considerably in time and complexity over the years and there are always changes being made in the process of receiving taxes. “This position requires that I work with various offices to keep updated on numerous changes,” she said. “That I have been happy to do through all the years that I’ve had the pleasure of coming to know the people of our town and community as close friends.”
Bob Parisi has been a Stephentown resident since 1986. He and his wife, Lorri moved from Pittsfield, MA and have raised their two children in the Berlin School District. Now, as married adults, they also live with
their spouses and growing families in Stephentown
Bob is a family man and works hard to provide for his family, as a long time employee of Lane Construction. Bob is interested in working hard for the families of Stephentown to help make decisions as a member of the Town Council and to represent the wishes and opinions of the residents. He feels that with his life experience, he can provide a new perspective and bring new ideas and insight to the Town Council of Stephentown. His job schedule allows him to attend the monthly meetings consistently, as required if elected to this position.
Democrats
Philip “PJ” Roder, running for a third 4 year term on the Stephentown Town Board, believes that the Transfer Station is one of the major issues now facing the Town. The current 25 year contract with the Eastern Rensselaer County Solid Waste Management Authority is set to expire in October of 2014. Although he believes the association with ERCSWMA has been a long and rewarding one for the community, he would like to see this relationship part ways. “ERCSWMA was good for our community during the 90s when the push to dissolve Landfills was underway,” he said. “This organization put the pieces together for many communities, including Stephentown, trying to stay in compliance with State and County legislation. However, I believe we can now take over full control of our transfer station and conduct business ‘in house.’ I feel that we can thereby create a new position in town, maintain and improve services and still reduce costs to the taxpayers. There will certainly be hurdles to overcome, but the current Board has been working together the past couple of years in anticipation of this positive change to our community. Please allow myself and the current Board to complete this transition.”
Chris Demick is a lifelong resident of Stephentown running for a third 2 year term on the Town Board. Demick graduated from Berlin High School and later attended Hudson Valley Community College, studying Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning.
Demick says that over the past several years he has worked with fellow board members to keep the budget within the tax cap levy while maintaining services. “We will need to work together as a team over the next several years to stay on track,” he said. “We have a major decision coming up with the Transfer Station next year with the ERCSWMA contract coming to an end. The goal is to make the Transfer Station fund neutral while providing a service that benefits the whole community. We also need to continue working on a Master Plan if we want the Town to grow. The Land Use Update Committee has made its initial recommendations and the next step is to begin Comprehensive Planning to develop a vision for the future of Stephentown. I look forward to being a part of this effort.”
Running Unopposed
Cyril Grant will be completing 3½ terms as Stephentown Town Justice this year and is now seeking a fourth full term with the endorsement of both Democrats and Republicans. “It is truly an honor to serve the community that has helped shape my life for so many years, he said.
Grant feels that the most important issue facing the Stephentown justice system today is a significant increase in the number of criminal matters coming before the court on an almost daily basis. Positions held by court personnel are only part-time, and resources are limited. “In the end, the only way to deal with this issue is to treat each court matter individually and with equality and respect for all of the parties involved,” he said. “I believe the accused are entitled to due process under all aspects of the law, but, should be made to know and accept the seriousness of the matter at hand.”
Aside from that, he sees the demands of being Town Justice continuing to increase, with almost constant change in laws and regulations being experienced along with more and more policies and procedural amendments being passed down through the court system. “Luckily, the Office of Court Administration 3rd Judicial District provides Advanced Level Training and has a staff that is an exceptional resource to assist Town and Villages Justices cope in this regard,” Grant said.
Aldie Goodermote is running with the endorsement of both Democrats and Republicans for a third 2 year term as Stephentown Highway Superintendent. A lifelong resident of Stephentown and Berlin Central School graduate, he first worked for 18 years at Sykes Store and then joined the Stephentown Highway Department in 1992. He was appointed Highway Superintendent in October, 2008 and was elected to the position the following year. “I think the biggest challenge the Town Highway Department faces right now,” Goodermote said, “is balancing the Town budget without having to raise the tax levy or the taxes of paying taxpayers.”
Stephanie Wagar, a lifelong resident of Stephentown, is seeking a second 2 year term as Town Clerk. Having served as Deputy Town Clerk for one year, she was appointed Town Clerk by the Town Board in August 2011 upon the resignation of Patty Gallup. She won election to the position the following November. “I enjoy assisting the residents as Town Clerk,” Wagar said, “I am grateful for all the support I have received over the past couple years and hope my fellow residents will continue to support me in the future.”
[/private]