Monday morning, Sept. 10, at a press conference at councilman Cliff Lange’s home in Malta, senior Malta Town Board members Gerald Winters, Sue Daley-Nolen and Lange announced their endorsement of two candidates facing incumbents in the town’s Republican primaries Tuesday, Sept. 18.
The candidates are Peter Klotz, the town’s planning board chairman and council member Donna Gizzi, who are running for seats on the board.
We have worked with both Klotz and Gizzi and have witnessed firsthand their knowledge, experience, dedication and integrity, said Winters, who serves as deputy town supervisor.
The town board’s nod of approval comes a week after current town Supervisor Paul Sausville announced his support for the third candidate vying for a board seat, Tara Thomas.
`As a volunteer public official, I was especially stung by the town supervisor’s endorsement last week that failed to recognize my demonstrated commitment to the town,` said Klotz. `I thought he was a supporter of volunteerism, and I’m disappointed that he would let partisanship come before sound discernment.`
The campaign partnership between Klotz and Gizzi, which was discussed but discarded earlier in the season, has also been cemented.
`After our first meeting, Peter (Klotz) and I made the decision to go our separate ways on the campaign trail, talking to folks and gathering our own support,` said Gizzi. `We promised to revisit our relationship closer to the primary election. It became crystal clear to me at the onset that we carry the same values. We are both Republicans who are not very ‘political.’ I am happy to say we have met again and have decided to run as a team for the two town board seats.`
Klotz echoed Gizzi’s satisfaction over the board’s endorsement.
`It’s certainly affirming to have the support and endorsement of the majority of the town board,` said Klotz. `I’ve been working closely with them for several years and I’m confident we can work together well in the future. Our work has been shaped by many meetings involving many people from the community who have collectively shaped a common shared vision for Malta.`
Lange, who will be stepping down as a town council member after 24 years of service, said the endorsement announcement came after much deliberation.
`We’ve worked alongside Klotz and Gizzi on some innovative milestones, and we’ve chosen to endorse them based on their past involvement, knowledge of Malta’s master plan and zoning ordinances, commitment to no town taxes, open space and balanced economic development,` said Lange.
The town of Malta republican primary will take place Tuesday, Sept. 18, from 12 noon to 9 p.m. at the following polling places: Malta Ridge Firehouse, 5 Hearn Road; Town Hall, 2540 Route 9; Round Lake Firehouse, Round Lake Road; Chango School, Chango Drive; Old Town Hall, 2538 Route 9; Malta Town Garage, 2538 Route 9; and the David Meager Community Center, 1 Bayberry Drive. For information, call the Saratoga County Board of Elections at 885-2249.“