submitted by Rich Crist, Majority Legislative Liaison
The Rensselaer County Legislature held its organizational meeting for the new 2014-2017 term on Thursday, welcoming three new legislators and electing officers to preside over the lawmaking body.
The Legislature voted to re-elect Martin Reid as Chairman, Stan Brownell, who represents the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, Grafton, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, as Vice Chairman, Phil Danaher as Vice Chairman for Finance, Ken Herrington as Majority Leader and Peter Grimm as Minority Leader. Each served in those positions during the 2010-2013 legislative term.
“We are looking forward to a productive term of service and working to protect taxpayers, quality of life and services our residents rely on every day,” said Reid, one of three representatives from District 4.
“The Legislature has played a key role in important job creation projects like the Regeneron expansion, and I am excited about again serving in a leadership role and helping our county grow,” added Brownell.
The meeting was the first for three new legislators, including District 1 (Troy) representative Leonard Welcome, District 2 (East Greenbush, North Greenbush and Poestenkill) representative Rob Bayly, and District 3 (Brunswick, Pittstown and Schaghticoke) representative Todd Tesman. They succeed, respectively, Kathleen Cassidy, Michael Cristo and Richard Salisbury, who decided not to seek re-election.
The Legislature now includes District 1 (City of Troy), Peter Grimm, Mark Fleming, Edward Manny, Gary Pavlic, Cindy Doran and Leonard Welcome, District 2 (East Greenbush, North Greenbush and Poestenkill), Leon Fiacco, Phil Danaher, Kelly Hoffman and Rob Bayly, District 3 (Brunswick, Pittstown, Schaghticoke), Ken Herrington, Thomas Walsh Sr. and Todd Tesman, District 4 (Schodack, Sand Lake and Nassau), Alex Shannon, Judith Breselor and Martin Reid, District 5 (Hoosick, Petersburgh, Grafton, Berlin and Stephentown), Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote, and District 6 (Rensselaer), Mike Stammel.
The make-up of the Legislature will remain the same, with Republicans holding a 13-6 super-majority. Republicans have been in the majority since 1993, and have held super-majority status since 1997.
The Legislature also reappointed Jenet Marra as Clerk of the Legislature along with Tyler Sawyer as County Auditor and adopted rules of procedure and other house-keeping issues. The regular monthly legislative meeting will be held the second Tuesday of each month except when there is a conflict with the September primary.
The Legislature will continue to maintain a website, www.rensselaercounty.org, and schedules of meetings and agendas will be posted on that website along with other information.