Democrat incumbents garner multiple endorsements
Niskayuna Republi-cans are looking to paint the town red, even though Democrats have been at the helm of town government for years.
The party recently made its endorsements for the 2011 election. Bidding for the supervisor seat is Republican Anthony Pennacchio, who is the program manager for Health Research, Inc. Joining him will be two candidates who ran unsuccessfully in the 2009 election, Republicans Linda Rizzo and Richard Fisher. Janna Gaylord-Czernicki is running for town clerk.
[Pennacchio] seemed to be the most perfect fit for the two other candidates that had committed, said Niskayuna Republican Committee Chairman Michael Mansion. `It is important to have a good qualified candidate as well as one that is enthusiastic and hard working and we got that with Tony.`
The Town of Niskayuna has historically seen Democrats consistently winning elections and four incumbents are returning in the upcoming race. Democrat Joe Landry is seeking his third term as supervisor and fellow Democrat council members Liz Orzel Kasper and Julie McDonnell are looking to retain their seats. Also, Democrat incumbent Steve Swinton is running for town justice, while newcomer Michele Martinelli is seeking the vacant town clerk position. The supervisor serves a 2-year term and the other positions are for four years.
A Republican Supervisor hasn’t been elected in Niskayuna since 1997. The Republicans also haven’t held a majority on the Town Board since losing the supervisor seat and two councilmember seats in the 1999 election.
`We have the message and the vision that resonates with the voters,` said Geoff Hall, acting chairman of the Niskayuna Democratic Committee. `I think the party and the candidates that we have put forth have had a successful record and have worked hard to move the town in the right direction and I think the voters agree.`
Mansion said he believes the Democratic majority is going to come to an end soon.
`It is becoming more and more apparent that something has to be done and that the one party ruling is crippling us,` said Mansion.
This year, he said, has seen a record number of people interested in running for the supervisor position. Before making a selection, the committee interviewed almost a dozen potential candidates.
`I have never experienced anything like this in my life, with the amount of interest and the people that want to run for the town supervisor position,` said Mansion. `It is setting the tone for the concern the residents of the town have with the ever-increasing tax burden.`
When the Republicans gained control of the Town Board in the 1997 election, Mansion said there were a lot of similar issues, so he is hopeful the public will embrace the party again this year.
`What is going to make it different is we keep to our theme of less government and therefore reduce our tax burden and therefore be a more responsible government,` said Mansion. `There has to be a focus on the town and I just don’t see that unfortunately happening right now and we are out to correct that. These candidates are committed to working hard and getting their message out this year.`
Hall is confident the Democratic candidates won’t see an upset this year. The Working Families Party, Conservative Party and Independence Party are also endorsing all of the Democratic candidates, giving the party dominance on ballot lines.
`They have done a great job over the past several years of putting the town on the right course. They have controlled taxes and attracted economic development to the town,` said Hall. `I think that we have a very strong slate of candidates and I think they are moving the town in the right direction and I think the voters will agree and we will be victorious.“
