BETHLEHEM — Two Highway Superintendent and three Town Board candidates gathered for a two-hour forum at Town and discussed their platforms on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.
The forum, sponsored by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters and Spotlight News, was moderated by the latter’s managing editor Michael Hallisey and publisher John McIntyre. Each candidate answered around two dozen questions and gave rebuttals to their opponents, allowing the packed hall to hear their approach regarding numerous town issues.
Town Supervisor David VanLuven, seeking re-election this year, was not involved in the forum though as he is running uncontested.
Highway Superintendent
For the open Highway Superintendent seat, John Anastasi, the incumbent seeking re-election, is running on Republican, Conservative and Independence lines. Marc Dorsey, a newcomer, is running on Democratic and Working Families lines.
Issues these candidates discussed included:
- Each candidate’s professional background and their skill sets
- Each candidate’s management style
- Delaware Avenue Road Diet
- Aging infrastructure
- The relationship between the Highway Department and Department of Public Works
- The Albany County Rail Trail’s impact on residents, connectivity and business
- Fiscal management
- Maintaining transparency and open communication with town residents
- Highway Department staff aging out in time and attracting new workers
- Handling sidewalks, paving, leaf pick-up, potholes
Below are two filmed videos of the forum concerning the Highway Superintendent seat:
Town Board
For the two open Town Board seats, Daniel Coffey is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines; Joyce Becker is running on the Democratic, Working Families and Independence lines; and James Carriero is running on the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines. The former two are incumbents seeking re-election while the latter is a newcomer.
Issues these candidates discussed included:
- Each candidate’s professional background and their skill sets
- The town’s upcoming comprehensive plan
- Addressing rising development
- Farms and Forests Fund
- The Albany County Rail Trail’s impact on residents and business
- Intra-town connectivity
- Aging infrastructure
- Fiscal management and budgeting
- Maintaining transparency and open communication with town residents
- Port of Albany’s expansion plans
- Preserving town history and historic landmarks
- Maintaining adequate town staffing levels
Below are two filmed videos of the forum concerning the Town Board seats:
According to the Albany County Board of Elections, for the first time in state history, Bethlehem residents can vote in-person early before Election Day (Nov. 5) on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 85 Elm Ave. in Delmar.
Photos by Diego Cagara / Spotlight News
