The Clifton Park Republican Committee has announced its endorsements for November’s town elections that include a new Town Board candidate.
The GOP endorsed James Romano to run for the seat being vacated by Councilman Sanford Sandy Roth, who is retiring after 16 years on the board. Romano serves as a co-chair of the town’s Open Space Committee.
A 30-year town resident, he’s also served on the Planning Board, the Riverfront Committee, the Green Committee and the Recreation Committee. The retired National Grid worker has also worked with the Southern Saratoga Chamber of Commerce.
Romano said he’d like to continue the work he’s done on the Open Space Committee if elected, and would also take a look at improving the town’s infrastructure.
`It’s something I think we need to take a hard look at,` he said. `The town is getting older in certain areas.`
According to Chairman Robert Wilcox, Romano’s background impressed the committee.
`He’s been significantly involved in volunteer efforts and governmental efforts for the last 20 years in Clifton Park,` he said in a telephone interview.
The remaining endorsements are all incumbents. The committee endorsed Anita Daily to serve as county supervisor, Philip Barrett for supervisor, Linda Walowit to sit on the Town Board, Patricia O’Donnell for town clerk and Rick Kukuk for highway superintendent.
Barrett will be running for his sixth two-year term. A year ago, however, there was some question as to whether he would receive his own party’s nod in 2009.
In April of 2008, the appointment of John Ryan to the Clifton Park Water Authority caused a row between the GOP Committee and the all-Republican Town Board. The GOP publicly disowned Barrett and Walowit along with Councilmen Scott Hughes and Tom Paloucci. Roth spoke out against the vote, for which he was not present.
The committee endorsed the candidates unanimously this year, said Wilcox.
`There was ongoing discussion during the time that’s gone by as far as mending fences,` he said. `At the end of the day what the committee most wants is effective Republican government in Clifton Park.
The Clifton Park Democratic Committee will be having its endorsement meeting on Monday, April 27, according to Chairman Todd Kerner.
`It would be premature to say anything before the committee has taken action,` he said.
Check next week’s edition of The Spotlight or www.spotlightnews.com for details of the Democratic endorsements.“