New Scotland Democrats are winding up to stand behind incumbents this local election season, and pointing to their accomplishments.
The town Democratic Committee has endorsed incumbents for the upcoming election, but party members are scheduled to hold a nominating caucus on Thursday, June 20, to solidify the slate. The caucus is open to any registered Democrat in the town and will be held at 7 p.m. in the New Scotland Community Center. Town Democratic Committee Chairman Michael MacKey said there aren’t any party members seeking to challenge incumbents.
The incumbents seeking reelection are Town Supervisor Tom Dolin, Deputy Supervisor Douglas LaGrange, Councilman Daniel Mackay, Town Clerk Diane Deschenes and Highway Superintendent Ken Guyer.
Attempts to reach the town Republican officials were not successful. GOP officials on the county level did not have information on the party’s slate.
Dolin said he initially ran for office because he saw it as an opportunity to get out of retirement and contribute to his community. He is seeking his third two-year term as supervisor. He was formerly a confidential law clerk for the Albany County Court system.
“I have some projects that I hope to accomplish that are unfinished and I think with one more term I would be able to accomplish that,” Dolin said.
Some of the projects he is looking forward to seeing through include the completion of the New Salem Water District project and breaking ground on the Kensington Woods housing development.
Dolin said he is “fiscally prudent” and will keep taxes low, while maintaining cash reserves at a “healthy” level.
“I recognize the economy hasn’t fully recovered … so it is important we try to manage the government to keep taxes as low as practical,” he said.
LaGrange, who is seeking his third four-year term on the Town Board, said an important issue for him is continuing “to strive to find the best way to provide the services the town provides with the least impact on the taxpayers’ wallets.”
Among building up cash reserve to around $2 million, Dolin pointed to other accomplishments such as the recent rezoning of more than 200 acres of Industrial-zoned land, demolishing unsafe buildings and relocating the town court to a “safer” building.
“There are so many things we have done but we have to continue doing them and continue to fine tune them,” LaGrange said. “We have been well below the 2 percent cap every year and there was even a year or two where we actually had a (tax decrease).”
Guyer, who was elected last year as highway superintendent to fill a vacancy, moved his way up through the ranks at the town’s Highway Department during the last 15 years.
“I lived in the town my entire life,” Guyer said. “I had a very good turnout last November … and I hope that continues and I feel it will.”
Mackey was confidant incumbents would be reelected. He said the supervisor and Town Board candidates ran on stopping big box development in the town and accomplished their goals through zoning law changes.
“I think the public, which overwhelming supported them four years ago, will give them credit for having done what they said they are going to do,” Mackey said. “I think they have all done a great job and the prospect of all of them being elected is very high.”