Former town supervisor Jack Cunningham announced he has ended his bid for the Bethlehem Town Board seat left empty by Mark Jordan at a recent League of Women Voters forum held to educate the public about the board’s future appointment decision.
Just hours before the event, Cunningham emailed a statement to Albany County League President Mary Berry informing her of his decision. The announcement left some people in the packed meeting room of the Delmar Presbyterian Church stunned.
“As Supervisor (John) Clarkson begins his term, we as Democrats and residents of the town all want him to succeed at solving the many problems we face, including the structural budget deficits. And we all want to do what is right to support him in this effort,” Berry read from Cunningham’s letter. “It has become apparent that placing my name into consideration to fill the Town Board vacancy has become an impediment to that goal.”
The former supervisor was expected to join the forum’s panel of applicants who wish to be appointed to the vacant seat. There were eight known candidates following Cunningham’s announcement.
Then, Supervisor John Clarkson asked Jeremy Martelle if he wished to participate in the forum. Martelle accepted, explaining to the public how he had sent his resume to Clarkson that morning. Martelle, a Republican, ran in the November general election.
Cunningham still plans to run in November’s special election if he is nominated by the Democratic Party, as does Martelle.
Clarkson has said he would not support the bid of anyone who planned to run for re-election because he wished to appoint a “non-political individual.”
“I think it’s probably for the best,” said Clarkson of Cunningham’s decision. “His statement was very gracious and will help with the betterment of the town.”
Cunningham said on Friday he felt it was appropriate to remove his name so the board could focus on the issues at hand.
Martelle said he doesn’t agree with Clarkson on the issue, because he is “publicly excluding people within the town who may wish to run for the appointment.”
“My biggest problem is the fact that he is saying, ‘Don’t want to be interim, need not apply.’ I don’t think that it’s right to make running an issue,” he said after the event.
After the announcement, the forum’s panel consisted of Martelle, Kevin Crawford, John Hudacs, Donna Giliberto, George Lenhardt, Ted Putney, Michael Burgess, Loretta Simon, and Christina Kidera.
Each person was given two minutes to tell the audience about themselves. They then took turns answering questions submitted by the audience.
“Tonight is different for many reasons, one being you will not be voting on any candidates,” explained Berry to the audience. “You will be hearing from people who have applied to be appointed for a vacancy on the Town Board.”
League of Women Voters members explained that a majority vote by the board is needed to elect a new member and there is no deadline for the decision to be made under state law. Clarkson said the board is planning to vote on the issue at the organizational meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
A letter signed by nearly 40 residents addressed to the board asked for a candidate to be selected that has the appropriate qualifications and knowledge of the Town Board and its services. It also urged the board not to select a representative of a political party who would seek reelection.
“Serving for a year via appointment creates an overwhelming advantage for the incumbent, making it more difficult and possibly discouraging others to run. This could result in Bethlehem voters being denied a choice among candidates competing on a level playing field this November,” the letter read.
Martelle questioned the motives of the letter writers, saying many have political ties.
Clarkson, however, said he plans for this seat to be non-political through and through.
“This November will be an election which will run through the usual process and that’s the way it should be. The voter will have a clear choice from a level playing field and no party or person will have an opinion,” he said.