Bethlehem Town Supervisor John Clarkson spoke out in favor of the newly formed Bethlehem Reform Democrats group during an informational meeting held on Tuesday, May 22.
The group, which is legally a political action committee, was formed in April by several residents claiming to be frustrated with how the town committee functions. Clarkson said he feels encouraging people to get involved with local politics and become better informed about those who represent the community is “wonderful.”
“I think the party is in need of invigoration,” he said. “It’s hard to get people to come and be involved (in the committee) and stay. If there was a more engaging process, people would be interested. This group is proof that people do care about getting involved in their party.”
Clarkson said the party should be about more than “carrying petitions and ratifying decisions made by the party leaders.” He said the party should be more engaged with the public and he doesn’t feel that is happening.
Bethlehem Democratic Committee Chairman Matt Clyne, who said he could not attend the meeting because of other obligations with the County Legislature, said Clarkson had ulterior motives for lending his support.
“He is the one instigating it, so it’s hardly a surprise that he is in favor of it,” he said. “He is recruiting these people and agitating it, so it’s hardly surprising. See, this is all about ensuring John Clarkson is re-elected. Just like his proposed ward system in the town and extending the terms to four years. It’s about ensuring he is ensconced in the supervisor’s office, and as much removed from public scrutiny and accountability as possible.”
Clarkson is a Democrat, but he won office after successfully challenging Councilman Kyle Kotary, the party’s endorsed candidate, in a primary last September.
At Tuesday’s meeting, group spokesperson Ted Smith said after the previous election cycle many Democrats in town felt the Democratic Committee to be “out of touch with the electorate” and that more grassroots level participation was needed.
“If we can get things to work correctly, we will be out of business here in short order,” said Smith.
Members of the group said they are not trying to create a new party but a more open process within the one that already exists. However, at the meeting Bill Reinhardt, a volunteer with the Bethlehem Reform Democrat movement, unofficially announced he would seek the Town Board seat that will be left vacant by appointee George Lenhardt at the end of the year.
Reinhardt is retired from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and currently working on the town’s Budget Advisory Committee, and said he wants to make a difference and give something back to the town.
“I want that something to be a Democratic Party both in principal and practice, not just in name,” he said.
Clarkson said he is supportive of Reinhardt’s campaign, adding he has “an excellent background to be a board member.” The supervisor said he expects to formally endorse Reinhardt at a later date.
The Reform group is attempting to get more town Democrats involved in running for committee seats within their election districts.
There are 31 election districts within the town, each with two committee representatives. Elections for committee seats are held if more than two people petition for a spot. Any vacancies are filled by appointment by the committee chairman.
Smith said the group feels the party could be more informative about when committee meetings are held so Democrats could attend, be more helpful to those wishing to volunteer with the party or run for committee spot and provide a list of who is currently on the committee so part members know who is representing them. Smith said when he asked for more specifics about the committee and meetings, he relieved an email in return that didn’t include the information.
Some in the audience said they were sick of the committee’s “club-like” mentality.
Former town supervisor and Bethlehem Democratic Committee Vice Chairman Jack Cunningham said at the meeting he was the one who answered Smith’s email.
He said some of the information requested was not available because new district lines were recently drawn and they do not know who represents which district. Cunningham also said the committee no longer provides the names of committee people because in the past the information was used against them “by members of the community and Republicans.”
“That information is available to anyone through the Board of Elections,” he said.
After the meeting, Cunningham said the public is welcome at committee meetings despite what some in the community may believe and what Clyne previously told The Spotlight.
Cunningham said key meetings are closed so committee members can discuss strategy, but most are open to Democratic residents and the committee is always eager for more people to volunteer with the party.
