STUYVESANT — The Stuyvesant Democrats met Tuesday, August 13, at the historic Stuyvesant Depot to nominate the first full slate of candidates in over 20 years. Committee Chair, Lee Jamison, noted that all the candidates are mature campaigners who also have years of experience in their respective professional careers.
Lee Jamison will run for Town Supervisor. Ms. Jamison is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving people with Developmental Disabilities. As past Day Services Director for COARC, she managed budgets over $1 million. She currently serves as a Trustee of the Kinderhook Memorial Library, a Columbia County Community Services Board Member and has exhibited with the Columbia County Arts Council. Because of her concerns about developmental disabilities, she has been an outspoken advocate at public hearings about St Lawrence and La Farge Cement, Nutten Hook public access, hydro-fracking and the TCI fire.
Peter Donahoe and Ed Kiernan will be running for two Councilmember spots.
Mr. Donahoe works for NYS Labor Department as an IT trouble shooter. He is an internationally exhibited, photographic artist specializing in pinhole camera works. A resident of Stuyvesant Falls, he was instrumental in the committee that saved the historic Stuyvesant Falls Bridge, Columbia County’s largest, at a cost less than demolition and modern DOT replacement.
Mr. Kiernan works at BSENY and is a pro at explaining Medicare benefits and plans to our local seniors. He and son Ian are involved in local acting groups.
Nancy Thomas vies for Town Clerk/Tax Collector. She has office management skills having been a Supervisor at the Times Union and was most recently involved in a start-up organic pork farm. A problem-solver, she even hand-raised a runt piglet at home until it was old enough to join the herd. Ms. Thomas believes in friendly and accessible service to the public.
A lawyer, Nancy Trichter, was nominated for one of two Town Justice positions along with Ned Depew. Ms. Trichter, with her husband, is doing a “green” restoration of one of Stuyvesant’s Victorian homes.
Ned DePew has been an environmental advocate for decades in Columbia County and worked as a Home Inspector. Some may remember his VOX POP home repair advice on WAMC. Mr. DePew is also a freelance writer whose work on local issues can be read in various media.
Martin Roby has decided to run for Highway superintendent, a position where the same incumbent has run unopposed for nearly a quarter of a century. Mr. Roby has attended nearly every town board meeting for the past 4 years. He has brought up the issue of routine maintenance of the Stuyvesant Falls bridge, and questioned the fiscal sense of a sand mine operated by the town of Stuyvesant with the board. In addition he has suggested the Town Highway garage heat with firewood as is done by the Highway Department in Hillsdale.
