by Thaddeus Flint
It should be an interesting Election Day next Tuesday in New Lebanon with the Town Supervisor running against a Town Councilman and the Town Highway Superintendent running against yet another Town Councilman.
[private]There are two candidates for Town Supervisor – the incumbent, Mike Benson (Republican, Conservative, Independence) and Councilman Matthew Larabee (Democrat). If Larabee wins, this will create a vacancy on the Board which could then could be filled by that Board for a term to expire December 31, 2014. In November 2014, there would then be a special election for that position. Should Benson win, Larabee will remain in his current position as Councilman.
There are two seats up for grabs on the Town Board. Councilmen Doug Clark and K.B. Chittenden have both decided not to seek re-election. Six residents have campaigned for those positions: Irene Hanna (Democrat), Trina Porte (Democrat), Dan Evans (Republican, Conservative, Independence), Chuck Geraldi (Republican), Josh Shuster (Conservative, Independence) and Kevin Smith (Voice of the People).
While Chittenden has decided not to run again for Councilman, he is however seeking to take over the position of Town Highway Superintendent from the incumbent, Jeff Weinstock.
Running unopposed will be Tax Collector Tammie Darcy (Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independence), Town Clerk Colleen Teal (Republican, Conservative, Independence), and Town Justice Jessica Byrne (Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independence).
The Eastwick Press asked each candidate to submit a brief profile of who they are and what they hope to achieve should they be elected to the position they seek. Those who responded are as follows:
Town Supervisor
Mike Benson
“As a candidate for Town Supervisor two years ago, I committed myself to working with other Town Board members toward the resolution of issues that were potentially harmful to residents and taxpayers or had plagued the Town for many, many years, in some cases decades. Using the skills I have developed in the private sector I also vowed to bring fiscal responsibility to the office of Supervisor and run a very tight ship. To that end I am proud to report the following accomplishments: reduced property taxes in the 2013 Town budget, completed renovation and expansion of the Town Hall with project on budget and reducing operating costs, resolved the decades old dispute over closure of the Town landfill with the Town receiving major State and County funding and support, supported existing and attracted new businesses to the Route 20/22 business corridor, improved fiscal management and operations to protect taxpayers, implemented a strict maintenance plan for Shatford Park and other Town assets.”
Matthew Larabee
“I am a lifelong resident of New Lebanon and a 30 year member of the Fire Company. I know our town inside and out; now I can best serve you as your next Supervisor. Currently a member of the Town Board, Town Director of Emergency Management and liaison to the Columbia County Traffic Safety Board, I’m also a member of The Columbia County Hazardous Materials Response Team and a Certified Propane Responder and Instructor. I work as Vice President of my family’s business, a business I am proud to say has served many generations of people in our community. As an organizational representative for the Cub Scouts and a proud father and grandfather, I know our youth are our future, and one of my main goals is to work towards creating a Community Center that can serve as a safe space and recreational hub for our town’s youth.”
Town Board
(two seats open)
Trina Porte
Trina Porte said she “is running for Town Council because New Lebanon needs leadership that asks your opinion before spending your money.” Porte said she “is that kind of leader.” On the Planning Board for six years, Porte said, “I’ve made decisions affecting the Town’s land, economy and liveability. This requires careful consideration and the ability to balance complex, sometimes conflicting, interests to reach the best outcome for the most people. New Lebanon’s Town Council needs this skill,” and, Porte said, she has it, “even when put under pressure to make decisions too fast or with too little information. Porte said, “I have resisted that pressure and made Planning decisions with integrity.” She said, “Every resident has a right to hear all the facts before decisions are made that affect their lives and property.” Porte adds that she “knows our most valuable assets are our residents and the ideas they want to share. We should listen to them.”
Irene Hanna
“I hope to serve the citizens of New Lebanon by being an open and accessible member of the Town Council. I will strive to create opportunities for responsible Town growth that will help give our children a chance to live and work here. I am a long-time resident of New Lebanon, retired after working as a teacher in area schools for 29 years. My husband and I raised our daughter here, and she’s a proud graduate of the New Lebanon School District. I have been active in many town organizations, including the Fire Dept., PTA, Parent Advisory Forum, and I helped organize the Fall Festival and the Herb Fest with the LVBA. I am currently volunteering for Hospice and the Berkshire Talking Chronicle (reading for the blind).”
Chuck Geraldi
“The reason I am running is simple – I believe very strongly in this town and want to be a part of its future. I believe that I am well qualified for this position. I am a long-time resident and homeowner and have always taken an active interest in Town issues. I am also a local business owner and employ other Town residents. I started my business with my brother Stuart and partner Jeff Hattat. We currently own and operate DreamBuilders of Lebanon Valley, LLC/Chuck’s Automotive. As part of our business and personal life, we strongly support other local town businesses. We have invested in improving our properties and strive to build a thriving business. I believe that strong community involvement is vital to the development of our Town. I have served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and Town Planning Board for over 20 years; having been the Chairman of the Board of Appeals for several of those years.”
Dan Evans
Dan Evans is a member of the Lebanon Valley Protective Association, coaches varsity soccer for New Lebanon High School and is a Civil Engineer with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Born and raised in New Lebanon, Daniel Evans is continuing his family’s tradition of community service. Dan is seeking to serve as Town Councilman to give back to a community he and his family love. As Councilman, Dan will focus on fiscally responsible policies to protect taxpayers, safeguard freedoms and quality of life, ensure open, honest government and continue efforts to revitalize New Lebanon and attract new growth to town. Dan also has valuable experience in emergency services, transportation and infrastructure and working with youth in our community that will also help him be an effective Town Councilman.
Kevin Smith
“I am a life-long resident and attended Lebanon Schools. I have been a business owner in Lebanon since 1997, attend at least 85% of all Town Meetings and am a present member of the Ethics Board. In addition, I am well versed in the planning and zoning codes locally having lost a home and business to fire and experiencing the rebuilding process. My reasons for becoming a candidate are many, but the most important are: I would like to see our Town government be more open and transparent and to respect and consider the wishes and needs of the constituents. For many years the Town has focused solely on the section of Rt. 20 known as the “Miracle Mile” for economic development. I would like to see us look at the entire town…for development and business.” Smith also cited improvements in communications, safety on roads in the Business District, an increase in youth programs and Senior support and the return of a supermarket as projects he will endorse should he be elected.
Highway Superintendent
Jeff Winestock
“I live in the Town of New Lebanon and was born and raised here. I have two girls who attend New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School. I’ve worked for the Town for 28 years, 24 of which I’ve been Highway Superintendent. I have always taken great pride in maintaining the Town roads.”
K. B. Chittenden
“I am 52 years old and have lived in New Lebanon my entire life. I grew up on the farm that I purchased from my parents and currently operate. I am a member of County Farm Bureau and County Cooperative Extension as well as many other farm and cattle associations. I grow hay, corn and soybeans for sale and raise beef cattle that are sold privately and at the Lebanon Farmers market. I have served on the New Lebanon Town Board for over five years. My experience of equipment and budget work will work well in managing the Highway Dept. I would like to integrate the Town Park maintenance into the highway for cost savings. I would also like to work more with the public for the repair and improvements on the Town roads.”
Tax Collector
Tammie Darcy
“I am the current Tax Collector for the Town of New Lebanon and a long-time resident. I have been privileged to serve as the Tax Collector for the townspeople of New Lebanon for the past four years and sincerely appreciate the support that I have received during this time. I take pride in providing superior customer service to everyone that contacts the office of the Tax Collector, and my experience helps me to operate this office in a professional, fiscally responsible way.”
Town Justice
Jessica Byrne
“I am a long-time resident of New Lebanon, where I make my home with my family – Casey, Christopher, Madeleine and William – and have served diligently as your Town Justice for four years. I am a graduate of St. John’s School of Law (JD) and the University at Albany (MS Criminal Justice). I am a practicing attorney and run a busy firm. My experience, steadfastness and knowledge of the law and its application have served New Lebanon and its people. Over the past four years, I have worked hard to create a Court with increased accessibility to the public, kind and courteous service, collaboration and prompt resolution of cases in a fair and impartial manner. Public service is an honor that I have accepted and a responsibility I do not take lightly.”
Town Clerk
Colleen Teal
Colleen Teal has been the New Lebanon Town Clerk for 11½ years and said she believes the three most important issues facing New Lebanon are ”the lack of a supermarket, taxes and the lack of truthful information from government to the residents. I would like to see the publishing of the Town newsletter re-established.” Teal said she is most proud of “working to make the operations of the Town government as open, transparent and easily understandable to the residents as possible, developing the Town website and the Town newsletter to help get information out to the residents, obtaining grants for records management that reduced the paper records stored in the Town’s vault by half, continuing to work to make retaining, managing and retrieving Town records easier and less costly, restructuring and reorganizing several different programs to comply with State and County regulations.” The programs became models for County and State use, she said. She is also proud of expanding the office hours to accommodate the needs of the residents.[/private]