Let the games begin, again.
It’s been less than six months since Town of Ballston political rivals put down their weapons of choice election signs littering roadways and front lawns, political mailings to residents, and allegations of unfair campaign practices.
Last November, in what may go down in town history as one of the most contentious, vocal, and muddy races for town council, Republican candidate and incumbent Mary Beth Hynes nosed out her opponent, Democrat Patti Southworth, by a margin of six votes.
But don’t write those history books just yet.
The fires are once again being fanned in the political climate in town. The strongly vocal opposition between Republicans and Democrats moved from a slow simmer on the back burner, to a steady rise in temperature that could reach the boiling point by this November’s elections.
Up for grabs are the town supervisor’s position, as Ray Callanan will retire after 20 years of service, and council member Robert Boice prepares to give up his seat.
Callanan has said the job has become much more complicated over the years, a point that can’t be argued by anyone who has attended a board meeting in recent years and witnessed the steady stream of dissenting points of view on everything from water to commercial construction. Voices have been raised, and many of the emotional debates have brought the media into the hot, cramped meeting room to capture the drama firsthand.
At issue: planning board appointment
The town board’s appointment this week of an alternate planning board member has drawn criticism. Lee Ramsey, owner of Capitaland Glass, was selected from among four candidates for the seat.
Another candidate, David Stern, a member of the Independence Party and a vocal supporter of town Democrats, decried the board’s decision, citing political affiliations for the selection of Ramsey.
The bottom line is that they went with a Republican with very little experience,` said Stern, who operates a computer support business. `I’ve attended the planning board meetings religiously for the last two and a half years. I paid my own way to attend a planning and zoning conference last fall. I’m involved in Junior Achievement and the Friends of the Kaydeross Creek. My record of pubic service is strong.`
Callanan dismissed the notion that politics were involved.
`We interviewed people and chose the most qualified,` said Callanan. `Lee is a business owner and represents the Burnt Hills business community. I don’t even know what party he’s registered with.`
Ramsey said his lifelong residence in the town shows his commitment to Ballston’s future development and proliferation.
`I’ve lived here all my life, and have many interests in the town,` said Ramsey. `I bought property for my business on Route 50, and went through the process of sitting before the planning board for about six months. I became more interested in how the whole process works, and since I’ve been on the other side, I have a good sense of the process.`
Ramsey said he is a registered member of the Republican Party.
Dems speak out
The head of the town’s Democratic Party, Patrick Southworth, husband of candidate Patti Southworth, said he’s watching events very closely as the party sets a roster of candidates for the November elections.
`Of course party affiliations are part of the process of appointing committee members,` said Patrick Southworth. `There’s a Republican enclave here controlled by the county Republican Party. Honesty is the best policy, and the town board should be ashamed.`
Southworth said work is underway to recruit Dems to get on the ballot for supervisor and town council member, but would not specify names.
`We’re keeping a tight lid on this; we don’t want to tip our hand,` said Patrick Southworth. `I can say this; right now we have eight candidates under consideration. There’s definitely a Democratic movement under way.`
Stern said he’s toying with the notion of getting on the ballot.“
