Ingrid Gundrum
Candidate for Supervisor
Except for four years, Ingrid is a lifelong Grafton resident who purchased the Gundrum family homestead on Stuffle Street in 2012 . She lives with her partner Andy Crandall and has recently added her grandmother Alta (“Nana”) to her household to enjoy the rural mountain lifestyle.
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Upon the death of her mother Lois, she returned to Grafton to help run the family business that has been in Grafton since 1968.
She has 16 years of county/local government experience including current Grafton Town Board member, Confidential Assistant to Sheriff Keating (12 Yrs.), Administrative Assistant for Rensselaer County Civil Service (2 yrs.) and Confidential Assistant to Director of Central Services (1 yr.).
She was educated at Emma Willard School, Trinity University in Washington, D.C., studying business, and the American College of Switzerland, 1986 studying international business.
She has volunteered and done fundraising for the Grafton Community Library, and volunteered at Literacy Volunteers of America while in Key West, FL.
Ingrid said, “I am running for Town Supervisor 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. If elected, I pledge to uphold the dignity of the office of the Grafton Town Supervisor, dignity that is deserving of that office.”
Frank Higgins
Incumbent Supervisor
I am running for re-election as Supervisor of our beautiful town in this year’s election. I have been a resident of our town for more than 45 years, serving our community in many capacities, not the least of which is 30 years of service to the Grafton Fire District as Commissioner and Treasurer, as well as, Town Justice and Supervisor.
As your appointed and subsequently elected Supervisor 2 ½ years ago, I have been fortunate enough to make many improvements in our community. These improvements include securing a cable franchise for our town, negotiating a new lease for the town senior center giving our community an income from this property for the first time, infrastructure improvements including town garage and salt shed roof, handicap ramp at the post office and energy saving LED lighting to reduce energy costs. I have also restored a number of Town Clerk functions in the absence of our elected Town Clerk including sporting licenses, residency certificates and notary services.
My most recent accomplishment is securing a $150,000 grant to be used to replace our fifteen year old ambulance. I wish to thank Joe Allain, Herb Hasbrouck, and Barbara Messenger for assisting me on this project. We have worked over a year with Senator Kathy Marchione’s office to obtain this grant.
If re-elected, I would like to complete the energy saving project by installing solar panels on our Town buildings to further reduce energy costs. I am currently reviewing several lease option proposals from various solar companies with no cost to our taxpayers.
I remain committed to work for the betterment of the Town seeking options to update Town services at little or no costs. I look forward to working with all departments and restoring full services to our community.
Herbert Hasbrouck
Incumbent Highway Superintendent
Herbert Hasbrouck has been Rensselaer County Highway Association President for the past 18 years. He has set up and shared services for the town and county to save money. He worked with crew members in storm Irene, opening roads, with FEMA paying over $750,000 to the Town. He has marched on the Capital for years to build and keep CHIPs revenue. He has served Grafton as Highway Superintendent for over 30 Years.
Candidate for Town Council
I’m seeking the Town Council seat. In these days of increasingly irritating politics, where you can find a candidate that is looking out for the town as a whole and not just their party or self-interest? I believe I am that candidate.
Grafton is a beautiful place and has been my home since birth. I worked at the Grafton State Park as a teenager and currently own and operate a business in the town. Serving in leadership roles for the youth organizations and with the Elks has provided me the experience and the opportunity to bring people together for the good of all.
I grew up on Blue Factory Hill Road in the hamlet of Cropseyville and am now raising my family with my wife Lisa of 22 years and two kids on Jay Hakes Road. We love this town and are proud to call it home. There is no place better than Grafton.
I will bring to this job what I have learned through life and that is to be respectful of people and their opinions at the same time being able to listen to ones point of view even if it is different than my own. Be kind, generous and thoughtful for all have something to offer to help within this community.
I have the enthusiasm and the work ethic for this job which I have demonstrated by putting signs up around town taking ads out in local papers and most important going on the campaign trail to your house to listen to your ideas and concerns about the issues that affect your family. This town is in need of leadership and new ideas. And I promise to be my own man. I will work across party lines so we can get back to doing the people’s work of this town.
Lastly, I can assure the residents that Grafton will be a better place after my time of service.
Barbara Messenger
Incumbent Town Council
The citizens of Grafton deserve representatives who are willing to look beyond “reality politics” and work across the aisle for the betterment of Grafton. This election is critical as it represents a continuation of a movement started four years ago to modernize services and connect with future generations. That is why I am asking for your vote on Tuesday November 3rd.
A new generation is now making Grafton home. These folks have come to expect access to high speed internet, cable TV and eco-friendly solutions. Although Grafton is changing, I remain committed to the principles of fiscal responsibility, preserving voters’ rights and an impartial assessment process. My commitment to these principles has not wavered. After our voting rights were taken away by a previous administration, ending our long proven elected assessor system, I voted in favor of an impartial assessor to maintain fairness to all property owners. Currently, I am in support of cutting Town Board salaries to balance the 2016 budget and if reelected would continue advocating for CHIPS funding, expanding youth programs and installation of solar energy on Town buildings.
I remain committed to serve as a non-partisan Town Board member, with integrity and willingness to work across the aisle. My position as a public servant is to meet any challenge head on, by creating workable solutions and preserve our quality of life.
Jarod Bouchard
Candidate for Town Council
Jarod Bouchard is a lifetime resident of Grafton. After graduating from Catholic High School he began building his strong work ethic operating heavy equipment for local construction companies. After twenty years in the construction business he recently brought his talents to Vivint Solar as Lead Service Technician.
Jarod is very involved with the community spending his free time enjoying the trails of the mountain. He has been an active board member of the Grafton Trailblazers for almost 10 years.
Jarod is eager to help make a positive change in the town that he calls home. If elected, he will look to appoint Grafton residents to the various jobs in town before going outside the town’s borders.
Lisa Dooley
Candidate for Town Council
Lisa Dooley has been married 33 years and has 3 daughters. She is a 29 year resident of Grafton.
Her professional career has included positions at Gardenway where she served as a Market Research Supervisor to her current role as Assistant Director of Student Accounts for The Sage Colleges.
A dedicated volunteer, Lisa is currently Co-Treasurer for the Grafton Baptist Church. Additionally Lisa hosts financial aid nights at local high schools to help families and students afford higher education.
Her past volunteering includes service as the Grafton PTO president, with the Berlin Jr/Sr High School Booster Club, as a Girl Scout leader and troop organizer for over 10 years, as a Class Advisor for Berlin Jr/Sr High School class 2007 and 2010, and as a Class Advisor for The Sage Colleges Class of 2014.
Lisa has a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies as well as a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA). She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Accounting with completion expected in May of 2016.
Kathy Mason-Wagar
Candidate for Town Clerk
My name is Kathy Mason-Wagar and I want to be your next Grafton Town Clerk. Many of you know me from my 34 years of service as a nurse at Berlin Central School District with 20 years at Grafton Elementary. As your Town Clerk, I promise the residents of Grafton the same quality service, time and commitment I have provided to you as your Town Court Clerk (14-years), Summer Program Youth Director (10-years) and various secretarial positions, including Deputy Town Clerk for four years. I believe my many years of public service have prepared me for the position.
As a lifelong resident I have lived and seen the changes Grafton has been subjected to over the years. Most of those changes have been good, others not so good for our Town. The spirit of Grafton appears to be broken. It is my hope to help restore that spirit we once had with a commitment to work together and serve the public proudly. As your Town Clerk, I shall offer consistent appointed hours, to help Grafton citizens with licensing, marriage certificates, permits, maintaining all Town records and keep a complete and accurate record of all proceedings while maintaining confidentiality.
I support the quote “United We Stand, Divided We Fall!” I truly believe we can RESTORE GRAFTON to its hometown charm and feel with solidarity.
Jessica Rose Crandall
Candidate for Town Clerk
Jessica Rose Crandall is 28 years old and newly engaged. She has lived in Grafton her entire life and will continue to make Grafton her home on the mountain with her fiancé Scott Fontaine.
Jessica received her Bachelor’s Degree in Management from RPI in 2009 and will be completing her Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Sage College this December.
She has gained customer service skills and business knowledge working her way through college, with experience in both family owned and corporate settings. She previously held the position of Planning Board Secretary in Grafton for eight years. She currently works as Property Tax Supervisor for Rensselaer County and runs a successful business as a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant.
As a youth Jessica earned her Girl Scout Silver Award and held various class and athletic leadership positions. She was previously a Sunday school teacher at St. John Francis Regis Church, is an active member of the choir, and has been a member of the Grafton Fire Ladies Auxiliary for over 10 years.
If elected, Jessica will immediately work to improve and upgrade the technology aspects of the office of the Town Clerk and provide office hours that would better serve Grafton residents.[/private]