New Scotland Supervisor Ed Clark has been in public service since he first became mayor of Voorheesville more than 20 years ago, and now he said it is time to step down and retire to pursue other interests.
In his six years serving as town supervisor, Clark won handily in three elections. He said in the 17 years he served as mayor of Voorheesville, he had an opponent once.
Other than that, it was an easy win, he said.
Clark attributes his victories to one thing ` having the pulse of the people.
He said every time he ran, he went from door to door to ask voters what they wanted and what their concerns were, at one time actually handing out a survey.
`I wanted to preserve the rural character and atmosphere of the community and keep it much the same,` Clark said. `I believe that is what the people in the community want.`
He said he has fought against growing pressure for development in order to prevent urban sprawl.
Clark said the second major public issue is water. Approximately half of New Scotland has public water, the other half doesn’t.
`Many do not have adequate water but because they are dispersed so widely it is extremely difficult to bring water to them if you had it,` Clark said.
`Our best sources of water are in the village of Voorheesville, the town of Bethlehem and various reservoirs. But you cannot reach the people who need water,` he said.
Former Bethlehem Supervisor Terri Egan said that Clark showed grace when dealing with neighboring issues.
`Ed was always open to discussions that would benefit both communities,` Egan said. `He always followed through to benefit both communities.`
Both Bethlehem and New Scotland often worked on common water and sewer issues together. In particular, Vista Tech Park, currently being constructed, lies in both towns.
Clark became active in village government early on in his political career by serving on the planning board. His chance to show real leadership presented itself when the mayor of Voorheesville relocated to Florida for work, and the village board of trustees appointed Clark to fill out the remainder of his term.
Clark said he is not a typical politician, since he never enrolled in a political party.
Clark said in New Scotland everything is managed by loyalists of the two major parties.
`Voorheesville candidates did not run on political parties, they ran on their own local parties such as the Citizens Party, things like that,` Clark said. `In Voorheesville, there were no politics. In New Scotland, there is nothing else.`
Clark said he was grateful to the town residents and town employees for supporting him throughout his tenure, especially his support staff whom he inherited from his predecessor.
`I am sure he is pleased to get away from the obligations of running a town, and I wish him a happy New Year and a happy retirement,` Supervisor-elect Thomas Dolin said.“
