In the Rosendale Town Board race, three incumbents are running uncontested: John Hughes, Ernest Klepeis and Chris Pryslopski. All three names will appear on the Democratic line, and Klepeis and Pryslopski on Republican and other lines as well.
John Hughes
What party nominations/endorsements have you received for your current run?
I have received nominations from more than one party, but only accepted the nomination from the Democratic Party.
How long have you served on the Rosendale Town Board? Why do you want to continue?
I am in my fifth year on the Rosendale Town Board, and am seeking another two years by running for the seat vacated when Jen Metzger (hallelujah!) won her State Senate bid. I wish to continue in order to work toward completion of much of the infrastructure rebuilding that we have undertaken during my time on the board. After a few years in the role, one gains a fuller understanding of the job’s tasks and duties, and the honor and deep responsibility in representing the people of Rosendale and our shared interests. Also, the board has enjoyed a multiyear run of very high functionality, efficiency and productivity. I think I can help keep that going a bit longer, and then happily pass the baton.
What specific roles, such as committee liaison, do you fulfill on that board? How do these align with your personal skillset, experience or fields of interest?
I am liaison to the Planning Board, ZBA, Building Department, Water and Sewer Department and High Falls Water Department, and also chair the ad hoc Solar Committee. My 40-year career in the building trades directly informs my liaison work.
Of the issues that the board is addressing at present, or expects to in the near future, what are your highest priorities to see resolved early in the coming term? What strengths do you bring to those tasks?
We are doing a major revamping of our Wastewater Treatment Plant. That project has been fully engineered, and is set to begin very soon. We are also replacing our water storage tank. We are still in the design phase on that one. We are also replacing some critically important backup power generators. We also expect our Solar Committee to bring forth a Solar Code that our board and the public can consider for adoption.
What future challenges or opportunities do you envision the board addressing over the longer term? What would you like to see the board take on, once shorter-term concerns are resolved?
I am interested in updating our Comprehensive Plan, revising some of our Zoning Code and its application and enhancing Rosendale’s resiliency and sustainability via renewable energy and strengthening our local economy.
Ernest Klepeis
What party nominations/endorsements have you received for your current run?
I am supported by the Democratic Party, the Working Families Party and the Republican Party. I was also endorsed by the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation and the Upper Hudson Central Labor Council.
How long have you served on the Rosendale Town Board? Why do you want to continue?
I was appointed in January of this year. In my first ten months, I’ve had the opportunity to get my hands in everything from economic development issues to recreation-space management and basic infrastructure needs. The work of a Town Board is extremely immediate: We are solving problems for residents on a daily basis that directly affects their quality of life. Who wouldn’t want to dedicate themselves to that?
What specific roles, such as committee liaison, do you fulfill on that board? How do these align with your personal skillset, experience or fields of interest?
I serve as liaison to the following: Economic Development Commission, Assessor’s Office and Assessor’s Board of Review, Tax Collector, Recreation Commission, Helicopter Committee, Town Historian, Chamber of Commerce and the Streetlight Replacement Project. I like to work on things. I like to solve problems and I like to bring people to the table to get involved. My experience organizing in politics and working across party lines within government has shown me the amazing work that gets done when residents get involved in their communities. If I can point to one thing that makes me a good fit for a Town Board seat, it’s this: I’m willing to show up, figure out the facts and take action on priorities for our residents.
Of the issues that the board is addressing at present, or expects to in the near future, what are your highest priorities to see resolved early in the coming term? What strengths do you bring to those tasks?
Some of the largest priorities for me are supporting new recreation programming, guiding the Economic Development Commission in proposing new commerce aids for the town and building the membership of residents on our advisory boards and commissions. A lot of the work we want to accomplish involves navigating the different levels of government; my experience working in and around county, state and federal government allows me to know who to talk to, to get the right people involved.
What future challenges or opportunities do you envision the board addressing over the longer term? What would you like to see the board take on, once shorter-term concerns are resolved?
After amazing work by our current board and supervisor improving our water, sewer and stormwater systems, I would like to put some focus on the Route 32 business corridor in the town and hope to see businesses interested in investing in our town. Besides geographic-specific improvements, I also see Rosendale as a leader in the Valley’s necessary transition to a resilient community, looking at the triple-bottom-line of sustainability and focusing on improvements that will last a long time. As a board, it’s our responsibility to be thinking about what 10, 20 or 50 years will bring to our town and how best to prepare for it.
Chris Pryslopski
What party nominations/endorsements have you received for your current run?
Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independent.
How long have you served on the Rosendale Town Board? Why do you want to continue?
Six years. We have a board that works, and works well together; it is a privilege to work with them and an honor to serve our community. We would all like to be sure that the many infrastructure and recreation projects underway are seen through to completion.
What specific roles, such as committee liaison, do you fulfill on that board? How do these align with your personal skillset, experience or fields of interest?
Liaison to: Bookkeeper, Justice Court, Environmental Commission, Transfer Station, Dog Control. As for how they relate to my personal interests…I was raised with a love and respect for nature; I’ve been a customer and fan of the Transfer Station since I moved here 20 years ago (it is one of the happiest places in town!) and some of my favorite people are dogs. I’ve only ever visited the court as liaison, but have a great respect for the knowledge, effort and humanity of our judges as they hear the people, not just “cases,” who come before the bench.
Of the issues that the board is addressing at present, or expects to in the near future, what are your highest priorities to see resolved early in the coming term? What strengths do you bring to those tasks?
I’ve tried to bring a sense of curiosity to my service: to ask questions before offering answers. We each have our own strengths and experiences, and by working together we’ve been more helpful and effective than if any one of us tried alone to solve the issues before us.
What future challenges or opportunities do you envision the board addressing over the longer term? What would you like to see the board take on, once shorter-term concerns are resolved?
Like most towns, we need more people to come forward and serve for the common good of our community. The world might keep getting faster, louder, more isolated and divided, but we all still live within communities that need us to give something back in order to move forward. The other challenge that I see is also an opportunity: People want to visit Rosendale, to return, to move here…so how can we build on our wayfinding projects, to increase interconnectivity and accessibility, to support and encourage business, and still remain affordable for our residents? These are not easy questions to answer, but they are compelling and someone needs to try. That’s why we are here.
Join the family! 
