Glenville officials facing contests

80

SHARES

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Save

Share

A Democratic newcomer is challenging two Republican incumbents and a veteran office holder is seeking her third term as town clerk in this year’s Glenville town elections.

Gina Wierzbowski and John Pytlovany are seeking re-election to full four-year terms on the Town Board. Wierzbowski was appointed to the board in January 2010 to replace Chris Koetzle, who became supervisor, and won election last November for the remaining year of the term. Pytlovany was appointed to the board in March to fill out the term of Mark Quinn, who resigned to take a county job.

John Lockwood is the lone Democratic challenger for the two Town Board seats up for election. Lockwood said he is running because he is concerned about escalating taxes.

The current administration has not come up with any new ideas for raising revenue, according to Lockwood. Lockwood also said the town has turned down a chance to save $100,000 by failing to join the countywide dispatch plan.

Lockwood also says the all-Republican board needs some political balance. He pointed out that Koetzle had a hand in appointing the two Republican board members.

“They’re pretty much doing whatever his agenda is at this point,” he said.

Lockwood said his top priority would be to stay under the state’s 2 percent tax cap without eliminating jobs.

Incumbents

Pytlovany said he was first interested in serving on the board when he found out there was a position open. After retiring in 2010 from the Scotia Police Department, serving the last 12 years as chief, Pytlovany said he was looking for a different way to give back to his community.

“I saw this as a perfect opportunity,” he said.

Since his appointment in March, Pytlovany has used his law enforcement experience as liaison to the town Police Department.

Pytlovany cited his fiscal experience preparing budgets for the police. He plans to stay under the 2 percent tax cap while preserving core services. He wants the town to reduce the amount of surplus it uses in its budget and continue efforts to attract new businesses to the community.

Wierzbowski said she wants to continue the work she has done on the board, including preservation of the town’s bulk item and leaf pickup programs. As liaison to the Public Works Department, she helped with redesigning plow routes to save the town $50,000 and building a new leaf composting facility to save the town $10,000 in disposal costs.

“I’ll always look for ways to save money and improve services for our residents,” she said.

Wierzbowski said she is also is committed to staying under the 2 percent tax cap. She cited efforts to bring new economic development to town and clean up abandoned properties. She also supports continued efforts to make government open and transparent.

Clerk race

In the town clerk race, Republican Linda Neals is seeking her third full four-year term. She is being challenged by Democrat Michele Fazio-Draves.

Neals said she loves the job and wants to continue to serve.

“I like being here for the residents, and I have the knowledge to answer any questions they have,” she said.

Neals pointed to the work she has done to modernize the office and do more work on computer than before. More vital records are stored electronically so people can call up records dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, she said.

She said she is looking into accepting debit cards for people paying their dog license fees. “Writing checks is sort of outdated.”

Neals said her prime asset is her experience. She served as deputy town clerk from 1996-2002, when she was appointed town clerk. Before that, she was deputy village clerk in Scotia from 1989-96.

“It’s something new weekly here. Things are changing — state laws, county laws. You have to keep on top of that,” she said.

In addition, her office has no deputy town clerk since the retirement of longtime assistant Rose Mercurio, so Neals is filling both jobs.

Fazio-Draves said she is running because the office needs to update and modernize through technology. She believes more forms, applications and information should be posted to the town website.

“You can’t get a form online for a marriage license. You have to go down to the clerk’s office, fill it out and apply for a marriage license.”

She would also like the clerk’s office to be open more nontraditional hours, such as one night at week or one Saturday a month, instead of just from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“It’s not convenient for those that work,” she said.

If elected, Fazio-Draves said she would also work with Schenectady County Clerk John Woodward to implement new programs like applying for a passport at town hall.

She said her strength is that she is extremely detail-oriented.

“I have a lot of experience with computers and the Internet, working with families and getting interactive forms so people can use them.”

Paul Davenport is running unopposed for another four-year term as town justice.

80

SHARES

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Save

Share

Categories: Schenectady County