We’re reaching the end of August and lo and behold, it’s election season, turning full swing. It’s like waiting for the beginning of basketball season, or for the end of spring training. We have significant community events over the next two weeks and more to look forward to.
First off, there is a Woodstock Democratic Committee meet the candidates night 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 1, at the Woodstock Community Center on Rock City Road. Three candidates for two seats for town board, incumbents Ken Panza and Jay Wenk, and current deputy supervisor Laura Ricci are all seeking the party’s nominations for the two seats. So you can get to hear them, along with the party’s other nominees for office including Jeremy Wilber. Take note of the fledgling public appearance by Jon Heppner, the Democratic candidate for county legislature, who is unopposed for the nomination.
Two days later we have the election to approve or deny the Woodstock Library budget for 2016, along with the choice for four seats to the board of trustees. There are five candidates for the seats, and who they are and what they are standing for are outlined on Page 7. You know about all the past year’s turmoil surrounding the Library and after the election there will be some new faces on the board. You make the choice. All we’ll say here is that the budget deserves your approval, with its hold the line modest increase.
The following week will find us at primary election day. Somehow it has fallen on a Thursday, September 10, when everybody is used to election days being Tuesdays. There seems to be some reason why it couldn’t have been on Tuesday, September 8…the day after the holiday, Labor Day. Haven’t figured it out, but being on a Thursday is sure to lower the turnout. Here, if you are a Democrat, you can choose two of the three aforementioned candidates for town board. That’s about it for Woodstock. The real barn burner is in Kingston’s race for mayor between incumbent Shayne Gallo and challenger Steve Noble. Both are from venerable Kingston political families, and the Democrat has a big advantage in the general. And that sinkhole isn’t finished being fixed yet. That primary is September 10.
In Shandaken, the Democrats have spoken and the Republicans have said that they will caucus on that same Thursday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m. at town hall on Route 28. The race there will be for town board, as supervisor Rob Stanley, a Republican, has the Democratic nomination.
Over in Olive, both the Dems and GOP have chosen and we’ll have a pair of town board contests though no race for supervisor, as Democrat Sylvia Rozzelle is the only candidate.
And in Woodstock, the Republicans, only about one third of the size of the Democratic electorate, will, as usual, wait until the Dems are done slugging it out, survey the lay of the land and then make their choices smartly.
Ah yes, it’s the season again. And we don’t even have to mention Donald Trump.
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