It will be a battle for the majority this November with two open positions on the village of Scotia board of trustees. With two Republican nominees and two Democratic nominees in the running, the race is shaping up to be a competitive one.
Democratic nominees Joseph Rizzo and Tom Gifford are both endorsed by the Democratic Party and running on a platform that supports a 100-day plan, which will center on issues such as the aging infrastructure in the village and maintaining the small town atmosphere that some fear is diminishing.
Democratic campaign manager Louise Gundrum said the candidates are eager to address the concerns they have heard from friends and neighbors in the community.
We promise decisive action that will result in real solutions for our community, said Gundrum.
Gifford, 55, of 103 Lincoln St., is a local businessman and president of Gifford Abstract. He has been active in the fire department for 25 years and treasurer of the department for 15. He is a member of the planning board and a registered emergency medical technician. Gifford and his wife, Nancy, have three daughters, all of whom are enrolled in the Scotia-Glenville Central School District.
Rizzo, 53, of 116 Sixth St., served as a village trustee from 2000-2004. He is active in the Cub Scouts of America, the Association for Retarded Citizens, the Children’s Museum and the village special events committee. He is the chairman of the Scotia Traffic Safety Committee and a former volunteer firefighter. He and his wife, Vicki, have three children and four grandchildren.
Both Rizzo and Gifford are endorsed by Progress for Scotia, the Glenville Democrats, the Independence Party, Save the Geese and the League of Humane Voters.
Both candidates say they represent the need for a more `open and receptive government.`
The Republican Party’s endorsed candidates are Tom Neals and Richard Gibbons. The Republican Party’s platform is to exhibit `fiscal conservatism through cooperation and leadership,` according to Republican candidate for mayor, Armon Benny.
Benny said he, Neals and Gibbons plan to focus on the budget and village finances.
`The committee has selected these individuals because they are the candidates with the ideas for progress in Scotia. Through cooperation and leadership, they will do what is best for the village as a whole,` said Benny.
Neals, of 39 S. Washington Ave., is a local business owner who has lived in the village for more than 36 years. He is a member of the Scotia Rotary, a trustee at St. Joseph’s Church and a member of the Scotia Auxiliary Police since 1973. He also serves on the D.A.R.E. advisory board and the Scotia-Glenville Rowing Club.
The second Republican candidate is Richard Gibbons. Gibbons is a local homebuilder who specialized in universal design. He is a member of the newly formed Scotia Waterfront Development Committee and a certified aging in the place specialist.
The Conservative Party is endorsing both candidates, and Neals has received the Independence Party endorsement as well.
The two open seats on the board are a result of Kris Kastberg and Benny ending their terms. The two are candidates in the mayoral election.“