compiled by Alex Brooks; photos submitted (or not) by the candidates
[private]For Town Council
Ingrid Gundrum
With the exception of 4 years in Louisiana and Florida, Ingrid Gundrum is a lifelong Grafton resident who purchased the Gundrum family homestead on Stuffle Street in 2012 with partner Andy Crandall.
Ingrid volunteers at the Grafton Town Library and works with Creekside Kennels on their Rescue Dog program. She has 3 rescue dogs herself.
Professionally, Ingrid helps run Gundrum Logging & Lumber, which has been in business in Grafton since 1968. The Gundrum Family owns and sustainably harvests approximately 1,500 acres of woodlands in Grafton. Gundrum Logging achieved its Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification, which recognizes sustainable forestry initiatives and fair labor standards practices on a global level in 2012.
Ingrid’s previous employment includes 15 years of County Government experience including as the Confidential Assistant to Sheriff Keating for 12 years, Administrative Assistant to the Rensselaer County Civil Service Commission for two years and Confidential Assistant to the Director of Central Services for a year.
Ingrid graduated from Emma Willard School in 1982, Trinity University in Washington, D.C. in 1984 with a degree in business and the American College of Switzerland in 1986 where she studied international business.
Gundrum said, “I am running for Town Council out of a deep passion for protecting the values of our mountain community. Grafton residents deserve elected officials who possess a sense of urgency and purpose not only for the business of Town government but for preserving the character of our Town and the quality of our life.”
Eric Buckley
My name is Eric Buckley, and I am running for a seat on the
Grafton Town Council. I bring to this position a commitment to listen and advocate toward a fair and respectful government in Grafton, regardless of where you live or how long you’ve lived in this town.
I was raised in Grafton, graduated from Tamarac High School and worked during the summer at Grafton Lakes State Park when I was a young man. Since 1998, I have operated a communications company within the Town. The experience as a business owner has prepared me to build relationships and work together with others to obtain positive resolutions. I have served in many volunteer capacities for 10 years and have coached children in sports at various levels.
If elected to serve on the Grafton Town Council, I pledge to serve as an impartial member and will work “across the aisle” for the betterment of the community. Everyone should have the opportunity to be heard and concerns and suggestions considered when decisions are made. I will work to promote Grafton as a nice place to live and raise a family in the 21st century. Everyone can work together for the greater good of Grafton. With your vote we can restore the order. And I promise to be the voice of reason.
My public servant pledge is to serve with dignity, respect and thoughtfulness, promote the Town in a positive and professional manner, support property owner’s rights along with sportsman’s and recreational use of their property. I also oppose the NY Safe Act.
Lastly, I can assure the residents that Grafton will be a better place after my time of service on the Town Board.
For Town Justice
Becky Snyder-Greene
Becky Snyder-Greene has served as Town Justice for over 12 years and before that served as Court Clerk for five years.
She pledges, “To exercise my role as Justice in a fair and dignified manner, to respectfully serve the people of Grafton with integrity, honor and thoughtfulness and serve as an impartial citizen.”
Pierce Hoyt
Pierce has lived in Grafton for thirty five years. With his wife, Lisa, they built a home in Grafton and have raised two sons who have graduated from the Berlin School District.
Both Pierce and Lisa have been involved in community issues involving youth services and natural resource conservation. Pierce has served as Department for Youth Director for Rensselaer County for the past 18 years. He served in the United States Coast Guard with an emphasis on search and rescue and maritime law enforcement.
Pierce served honorably as Grafton Town Justice from 1982 through 1985. He was appointed Town Justice in 2014 and brings with him his years of experience, community involvement and common sense practicality to the Bench to serve the people of Grafton with honor, dignity and respect.
“I look forward to continuing as Grafton Town Justice and serving with integrity and honor,” said Pierce Hoyt.
Ken Bruno
Ken Bruno served in the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s office for over ten years. He started working as Assistant DA in Rensselaer County in 1993 and about five years later was elected as Rensselaer County DA. He was re-elected Rensselaer County DA twice, serving in that position for six years before resigning to take a job with the law firm Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman and Dicker.
At that time he created a program to expose elder abuse, recruiting a team of investigators to look into cases of elder abuse and provide information to police.
Bruno has lived in Grafton for 13 years. He said, “I fell in love with this place and the people here, and I’d like to serve this community.” In his leisure time, he has been involved with the Brunswick Sportsman’s Club and the Grafton Trailblazers Snowmobile Club. He is a supporter of the Grafton Volunteer Ambulance and the Grafton Historical Society.
Bruno said he has worked as a prosecutor and a defense attorney, as well as doing corporate work and recently being in general practice from his Brunswick office. He said he hopes this broad background in the law will serve him well if he is elected as Town Justice. He pledges to do his best to give everyone in his court a fair hearing and to judge their cases fairly.
Pat Ivory
The most important part of Election Day is your vote. The right to a free vote has been provided to us through The United States Constitution and protected by all that have served in our military.
I have voted and lived in Grafton since the late 1960s. My background has been working as a professional in law enforcement, corporate security and public safety. I have been involved in the New York State Court system, from trial preparation to witness. My career has allowed me to get an insight into the court system while working with District Attorneys.
I have instructed law enforcement personnel on New York State Laws and the United States Constitution.
My goal is to insure the serenity and safety of the Town of Grafton and insure everyone’s rights are protected. I realize that our youth are our future and will work with them to avoid recidivism and the Criminal Justice System.
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