Across Schenectady County, elected officials were sworn in on Jan. 1, 2010, bringing new faces to town politics.
In Rotterdam, Democrat Frank Del Gallo and running mates Bob Godlewski, Nicola DiLeva and Matthew Martin were sworn in amongst applause during their 1 p.m. organizational meeting.
I’m humbled to be voted in and I can’t wait to get started, said DiLeva. `I can promise you this- we are a team and our main goal is to move the town of Rotterdam forward.`
Del Gallo stated during the meeting that the town board will have tough times in the beginning as they start the new year but that he is hopeful they will bring change to the town. `Wait two years,` he said. `If we don’t do anything, off with our heads.`
Town justice Kenneth Litz and Receiver of Taxes Dawn Pasquariello were also sworn in at the ceremony.
In Glenville, Republicans Chris Koetzle, Alan Boulant and Sid Ramotar were sworn in and took their place on the town board during their 11 a.m. ceremony at the Glenville Municipal Center. Alongside the town board members, running mates Highway Superintendent Tom Coppola and Receiver of Taxes Joan Menhinick were also sworn in by Republican New York State Assemblymen Jim Tedisco.
`We’re excited to get started, we have a lot of support for the community,` said town board member Ramotar. `We’re not going to be shy about getting the community involved so we understand whats on their minds.`
Koetzle stated that he has created a six month plan to cut costs and realign services for the town more efficiently and ways to create smart economic development in the town of Glenville with new revenue outlets.
`It was a fantastic turnout today, a lot of energy and excitement and we’re looking forward to starting,` said Koetzle
`Its going to be a tough year, I mean from a economic standpoint there’s a lot things happening for the country, but to make a difference we got to start right here, locally, to be effective,` said Ramotar.
In Niskayuna, Democrats John McKinney and Denise Murphy-McGraw were sworn in and join town Supervisor Joe Landry, who was re-elected for another term. Also sworn in at the event was Town Justice Paul Zonderman and Receiver of Taxes Diane Percy.
`There’s a lot of work to be done,` said Murphy McGraw. `Whether its trying to build up some of the commercial space in town, that our recreation programs should be for all the families in town, and really making sure the budget is in line and we hold the line on taxes, I think people expect a lot from us but I think we also expect a lot from each other.`
`We have a really good team behind us, we have some good people behind us` said Landry. `I look forward to working with Denise and John.`
Glenville will hold their first town board meeting of the new year on Jan. 13, while Niskayuna will hold theirs on Jan. 14.“