The Columbia County Republican Committee, including Committeemen from the Town of Claverack, gathered Monday night at Kozel's restaurant to hold their annual Nominating Convention. At this year's convention, candidates for Congress (NY-19), New York State Senate (District 43) and New York State Assembly (Districts 106, 107 and 102) were nominated. (L-to-R) Candidate for Assembly Dean Michael, Assemblyman Jake Ashby, Senator Daphne Jordan, Columbia County Republican Party Chairman Greg Fingar, Candidate for Congress Kyle Van De Water, Columbia County Clerk Holly Tanner) Of note to Claverack, the following candidates were put forth and unanimously endorsed at the Convention:
FOR CONGRESS: Kyle Van De Water FOR NY SENATE: (Our great!) Senator Daphne Jordan FOR NY ASSEMBLY: Dean Michael Kyle Van De Water is an Army Veteran and Attorney who promises to bring the fight to Antonio Delgado. Senator Daphne Jordan is our wonderful New York State Senator who has done much for Columbia County and our Town of Claverack! Dean Michael is local businessman who has lived here for 50 years and will restore our voice in Albany when he replaces Didi Barrett. Please join us in supporting these great candidates!
0 Comments
With all ballots now counted, George Duntz has come out on top in the race for two open seats on the Claverack Town Council. Duntz was top voter getter, receiving 967 votes.
The second open seat was too close to call on election night with Lisa Bowe leading incumbent Katy Cashen by 24 votes. That lead was overturned when absentee and early voting ballots were finally counted, with Cashen receiving 929 votes, Bowe 865 and the fourth candidate Ian Solomon receiving 757. As in other areas of Columbia County, second homeowners from downstate accounted for large numbers of the early voting and absentee ballots in Claverack. These are typically democratic voters who support democratic candidates. It was these votes that tipped the race for the second seat in Cashen’s favor. “I’m honored to receive the votes and endorsement of so many of my neighbors to represent them on the Town Council,” said George Duntz. “As I said during the campaign, I will approach all issues with an independent mind and seek common sense solutions. We needn’t work against each other. Let’s work toward consensus and common goals,” Duntz added. Lisa Bowe thanked her supporters saying, “I sincerely appreciate the strong support I received from everyone throughout the campaign, and everyone who took the time to cast a vote for me. The campaign was an amazing experience that afforded me the opportunity to meet and visit with neighbors that I may not have otherwise gotten to know. I plan to stay active and involved and will continue to support our great community in any way that I can.” The Claverack Republican Committee applauded both candidates for their hard work and commitment throughout the campaign. The committee encourages anyone interested in volunteering on future campaigns, or running for office, to contact them at [email protected]. Republicans from Claverack and Philmont gathered recently at the Town Hall on Route 217 to hold their annual caucus to endorse candidates for the General Election. Two positions for Claverack Town Council will be on the November ballot.
Nearly 50 energized Republicans attended the caucus and enthusiastically endorsed Lisa Bowe and George Duntz for the two seats. The nominations for Bowe and Duntz were made by Maryanne Lee and PJ Keeler, respectively. Both received unanimous support from the caucus goers. In nominating Lisa Bowe, Maryanne Lee - a Councilwoman herself - spoke of Bowe's commitment to the Claverack community and her experience and interest in town government. "Lisa is very in tune with the business of the Town Board," Lee said. "She attends every Town Board meeting and is a member of the Board of Assessment Review, and is very active in the community, including the annual Philmont Thank-a-Vet Celebration and the Claverack Summer Concert Series," Lee added. Bowe told those attending that she wants to be “the voice of all Claverack residents.” Bowe is a Columbia County native and has lived in Claverack the past 24 years. She has served the public as a Registered Nurse all of her adult life. Town resident and County Treasurer PJ Keeler endorsed George Duntz for the second Town Council seat. In making his nomination, Keeler spoke of Duntz's family history of community service, including that of his Grandfather, former County Coroner and County Clerk Don Tkacy. Duntz, a registered Independent, was the Independence Party liaison for former Assemblyman Marc Molinaro and worked on Molinaro's most recent campaign for New York State Governor. Duntz told caucus goers that he "looked forward to working for the common good" and "achieving common goals for all Claverack and Philmont residents." Also attending the caucus and supporting the candidates were Town Supervisor Kippy Weigelt, Town Councilmen Stephen Hook and Brian Keeler, Town Clerk Mary Jeanne Hoose, Town Highway Superintendent Lou Lamont, and Town Assessor Charlie Brewer. For more information on Lisa Bowe and her campaign, please visit www.LisaBoweforClaverack.com, and to learn more about George Duntz, visit www.GeorgeDuntzforClaverack.com. The Claverack Republican Team will sponsor a community steak bake Saturday, October 14 at the Claverack Town Park, off Church Street, Mellenville.
The menu will consist of rib eye steak, baked potato, beans, cole slaw and a drink. There will also be music for dancing with a local deejay. The doors will open at 2 p.m. with the steaks served at approximately 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and are available from the Claverack Republican candidates – Kippy Weigelt (Supervisor), Stephen Hook and Brian Keeler (Town Councilmen), Mary Jeanne Hoose (Town Clerk) and Louie Lamont (Highway Superintendent). They are also available from members of the Claverack Republican Club or online. Interested persons are encouraged to get their tickets before October 1 to assist the cooks in ordering an appropriate number of steaks. ![]() Republicans from Claverack and Philmont gathered Tuesday night to endorse candidates for town offices in the upcoming November election. Picking up unanimous endorsements at the caucus were Claverack Town Supervisor Kippy Weigelt, Town Councilmen Stephen Hook and Brian Keeler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector Mary Jeanne Hoose, and Town Highway Superintendent Lou Lamont. Supervisor Weigelt addressed the crowd following the vote, thanking all for attending and reviewing some of the many successes and accomplishments the team of officials have had over the past term, including investments in infrastructure, improvements to the town park, development of a new town website, and the consolidation of town departments and services to reduce the cost of government. Mary Jeanne Hoose, who has served as Claverack Town Clerk/Tax Collector for more than 20 years, remarked how well town government is operating since Weigelt took the helm back in 2014. “Claverack is working,” said Hoose, noting how “cooperatively and effectively the Supervisor and bipartisan Town Board work.” Also attending the event and speaking with caucus goers were Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett, who is seeking reelection, and Republican candidate for County Coroner Roy Brown. ![]() Claverack Republicans gave a unanimous endorsement to Town Justice Michael Cozzolino at their annual Caucus, held August 3rd at the Claverack Town Hall. Cozzolino, an attorney and former Chief Assistant Columbia County District Attorney, was appointed in June 2016 to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Town Justice Charles Hoag. The appointment was made by unanimous vote at the May meeting of the Claverack Town Board. “We couldn’t be happier to have someone with the experience and qualifications that Justice Michael Cozzolino has,” said Claverack Republican Committee Chairman Kevin Johnson. “He is an impeccable attorney and jurist,” Johnson added. Cozzolino, a life-long resident of Claverack, is a graduate of Columbia-Greene Community College, Marist College in Poughkeepsie, and Albany Law School. He began his career in 1987 as a Columbia County Deputy Sheriff. After graduating Cum Laude from law school in 1996, Cozzolino worked for 15 years as an Assistant District Attorney, including eight years as Chief Assistant District Attorney, at the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office. In 2011, Cozzolino left the District Attorney’s Office to pursue a career in private practice, specializing in criminal defense and Family Court matters. “It is truly an honor to be able to serve the residents of the Town of Claverack as Town Justice. I am grateful for and humbled by the unanimous endorsement of the Town of Claverack Republicans to run for this position in the November General Election,” said Judge Cozzolino. “I am confident in my qualifications and ability to continue to serve as Town Justice for the next four years,” he added. Cozzolino has also received the endorsements of the Conservative and Independence parties. The General Election is Tuesday, November 8, 2016. The Claverack Republican Club will sponsor a Meet the Candidates night Wednesday, September 16 from 7 to 9 pm at the A.B. Shaw Firehouse, Route 23.
The free program will give Claverack residents a chance to meet the Republican candidates for town and county offices in the November 3 election. Each candidate will give a brief speech followed by a question and answer period. Participating will be the three incumbent county candidates P.J. Keeler (County Treasurer), Paul Czajka (District Attorney), and Jim Bertram (County Coroner) and the two Republican candidates for the Claverack Town Board, Bill Gerlach and Maryanne Lee. Refreshments will be served following the program. The program is a joint effort of the Claverack Republican Club and the Claverack Republican Team. |
Archives
May 2024
Categories
All
|