Germantown Democrats

2011 Election Returns for Germantown

2011-11-08T10:58:00.000-05:00

2011 Germantown Candidates

2011-09-29T14:03:00.002-04:00

For Town Board:
Donald Westmore (D) and Michael Mortenson (R)
Both candidates are running also on the Republican line, both being cross-endorsed.

Don Westmore and his wife, Adrienne, moved to Germantown in 2006. He has spent 30 years as a Foreign Service Officer in the Asia-Pacific and in Washington DC. He has been active in Germantown as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, the 300th Committee and the Germantown Neighbors Association. He also serves as President of the Library Board of Trustees.

Mike Mortenson was raised in Germantown, then went into the Navy where he served for 7 years. He returned to Germantown where he lives with his wife Shannon, and their two sons Tyler and Kaiden. He is a volunteer coach for Soccer and Little League.
He is the head of the Masonry Department of Williams Lumber in Rhinebeck.

The Year of Competency Is Upon Us

2011-09-23T02:41:00.000-04:00

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This year in Columbia County, voters are going to have a real choice. They can choose whether to support the same old bunch of people, who don't seem to get much done. Or they can chose the incredibly qualified Democrats who are running Countywide this year.

Competency!

(l-r) Richard Koweek, Peter Stoll, Eugene Keeler, Dr George Davis

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Judge Richard Koweek for County Judge

Richard Koweek grew up and has lived is entire life in Columbia County. He raised great kids here too.

He's practiced most every kind of law that is handled at County Court. He was also elected City Judge in 2009 and currently sits in Hudson City Court. That experience will serve him well on the bench. It will also serve the people of Columbia County well. His opponent is sorely lacking the broad based experience that Judge Koweek brings to the bench.

County Court jurisdiction is broad and diverse, and the position of County Court Judge is multifaceted. It requires a person who can deal with emotional family issues with sensitivity and understanding yet is firm and forthright when dealing with people who have harmed others. He also understands the legal complexities of estate and civil practice. But most of all, he is fair and respects all who come before the Court.

Judge Koweek’s background, temperament, and experience uniquely qualify him to be the next Columbia County Court judge

Visit Judge Koweek's website.

Judge Koweek has been endorsed by:
Columbia County Democratic Committee, Working Families Party, and the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation

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Peter Stoll CPA for County Treasurer

Peter Stoll is a Certified Public Accountant licensed and registered in New York State with extensive audit and income tax experience. He also has an extensive knowledge of information technology, financial systems, and internal controls. Skills that have been sorely lacking, as our county has thrashed back and forth from one unthought out scheme after another.
Peter Stoll has managed the finances for several mid-size businesses for the past 35 years. In this way he has developed the skills required to manage, monitor, and control the way public money is spent in Columbia County. He has a record of implementing major cost savings. Something that the next few years are going to require. He is eager to put his skills to work for the benefit of all of us, and to help reduce the cost of managing the County’s government.

These times require that we seek out and hire only the best people we can find to help solve our financial situation. That is what elections are supposed to be about, hiring the best person for the job at hand. We have found the best person for the job. He is Peter Stoll, the only CPA in the race.

Learn more about Peter on his website.

Peter Stoll has been endorsed by:
Columbia County Democratic Committee, Working Families Party, and the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation

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Eugene Keeler for District Attorney

Gene Keeler is an institution in Columbia County. He is a former elected district attorney and has heldthe positions of public defender, conflict public defender, and,currently, director of legal and advocacy services at COARC. Geneholds a J.D. degree from the University of Memphis and a master’sdegree from the University of Tennessee. He is an attorney with 30years of general practice that includes criminal law and elder law,and is a licensed master’s-level social worker.Gene Keeler knows what is wrong with the system, because he has seen it from every side.

He has been telling the people of this county that the system is rotten and broken for years. Everyone knows about the cronyism, favoritism and shoddy work at the DA's office. But only one person was willing to stand up and call it out for what it was. That man is Gene Keeler. Lots of people have no problem with what goes on there. Because they figure that if they ever need to get off of a DWI or a domestic assault, that there familial, business or political connections, will get them off. When they have issues with the police or the DA's office, everything is just taken care of, with easy sentences if it even goes to court and rarely does anyone read about it in the paper.

But the regular Jane or Joe, who work hard, pay their taxes try to be good citizens, get the book thrown at them, in order to keep the conviction rate high at the DA's office. Political connections should not buy you a "get out of jail free card". Gene has promised to end the “get out of jail free” program for the well-connected. Instead he will give all citizens equal treatment under the law. Isn't that what we should all expect?

He cares about justice, not statistics. While at the same time, he will make sure that all evidence gets to court and will ooperate fully with the police and community agencies. He will work full time to save the taxpayers money, and will work especially hard to assist victims and to lock up hard-core criminals.

It's time to clean up the mess at the District Attorney's office and stop playing political games with people's lives. Gene will make it a place where all of the citizens of Columbia County will feel that they have an impartial and fair person sitting in the prosecutors chair. Eugene Keeler is the right person for District Attorney.

Eugene Keeler has been endorsed by:
Columbia County Democratic Committee Working Families Party, and the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation

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Dr. George Davis for County Coroner

Dr. Davis has served one four year term as County Coroner. He is also the only doctor in recent memory to serve as Coroner. Shockingly, the Coroner's position does not require any medical training at all. All that is required is getting the most votes on Election Day.

Not many people understand what a corner does. Most people think that the coroner pronounces people "dead". In fact the coroner often gets to the scene quite a while after a person has died. What the coroner mostly does, is investigate why or how the person died. In essence the coroner is the advocate for the deceased.

Dr. Davis has four years experience as County Coroner. He has 30 years’ experience in family practice medicine in Columbia County. He has done extensive training in death investigation. He has a detailed knowledge of the legal system and ethics, and holds a Master’s Degree in bioethics, along with extensive experience in grief work.

He is the advocate for those who have no voices. He is the compassionate doctor who tends to the grieving families. He is the only candidate in the race for coroner with the education, experience and medical training to do the job properly.

He has earned the thanks and apprecaition from so many people in Columbia County, because he was there for them at one of the worst times in their life. He's earned their respect and he should have your vote. Keep the doctor at the corner's office.

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Germantown Democrats Pig Roast Benefit

2011-09-08T01:37:00.002-04:00

Dear Members and friends,

Below is the poster for our Fall Pig Roast & Rally. This is our main event for the November election and we urge you to participate to the fullest. We need to hear from those of you planning to attend so we can handle the logistics of the event--such as ordering a pig that is large enough for all of you! Don't just "pencil this in"--make the commitment to attend and give your respect to those who have chosen to run in your behalf for better Town and County government. This is a great opportunity to meet and chat with all the candidates, local and County.

Great food and live music!!

Call or e-mail either me or Margaret della Cioppa (see poster above for #s) and make a reservation. You can pay early by check through the mail at: GDO, PO Box 92, Germantown,NY 12526. Or you can pay for your tickets the day of the event if you have made reservations ahead of time. You can also take your chances that there will be tickets still available the day of the event if you won't know until that weekend if you can attend. ( you know we will get you in if we have ordered a big enough pig!) When you make reservations we just need to know if you would prefer a vegetarian meal rather than the roasted pork, and if you will be bringing children with you so we can have enough alternatives to the regular menu. Just look at this beautiful poster and you will decide to attend.

I ask you to show your support for the GDO and the candidates by attending the Pig Roast & Rally. The funds we earn through this event will pay for the campaign materials we will be producing and a portion will go directly to the Candidates' individual campaign expenses. We have an opportunity to achieve some very good news locally and in the County with the successful elections of Democratic candidates. Please support this effort! Thank you!

Kay 537-5404

DEMOCRATS RISING!!!

Germantown Election Returns 2009

2009-12-07T06:43:00.000-05:00

Germantown - 1

Germantown - 2 and Town Totals

GERMANTOWN DEMOCRATS CHOOSE CANDIDATES

2009-08-25T12:32:00.001-04:00

Thanks to an excellent turnout of 61 enrolled Democrats, the Germantown Democratic Caucus held on Saturday, August 22nd, chose a slate of four Candidates for Town Offices: Town Supervisor, David Forman; Highway Superintendent: Lawrence (Larry) Risch; and two for Town Council: Nancy (Nan) Eliot and Joel Craig, who is an incumbent.

“With these excellent candidates on the Democratic line Germantown residents will have a real choice this November. Our candidates offer outstanding levels of experience, integrity, vision, and commitment to our Town”, said Kay Abraham, Democratic Town Chair.

Each nominated candidate made a brief statement about why they wanted to run and what they felt were important issues before the Town. All four were elected by enthusiastic unanimous voice votes.

David Forman, candidate for Town Supervisor, is currently a Germantown School Board member, having served there for 9 years. He was heartily endorsed by Cynthia Smith who praised his contribution to successful efforts to improve Germantown Schools. David has four children who attend the local schools. He is a musician, songwriter and businessman who has a music publication firm and runs theatrical production companies. As a producer he has learned how to “make things happen”, and to work with people to accomplish his goals. He has lived here since 1980. “I’ve loved Germantown from the moment I laid eyes on it. I felt it would be a wonderful place to raise a family, and I was right.” said David.

Lawrence (Larry) Risch offers high qualifications to serve as Highway Superintendent, having been Deputy Highway Superintendent in Clermont for 8 years before leaving for a managerial job at a large Campground. At the campground he was responsible for supervising the maintenance and improvement of the grounds and over 500 campsites. He is qualified to operate all the large machinery related to highway work and has a high level of expertise in machinery repair. He is currently running a machinery repair business and counts many Germantown residents as very satisfied customers. He is married and has three children, two of whom are currently in Germantown schools.

Nancy (Nan) Eliot has made Germantown her home since 1977, raising her three sons who all graduated from high school here. Communication and marketing skills have been at the heart of Nan's career. She has worked in that field for the state government for 10 years, ultimately becoming Director of Tourism Marketing for NY State. Since then she has used her considerable skills in both governmental agencies and private firms, including her own business: the Eliot Group (1992-2004) an international marketing firm specializing in tourism. Her extensive experience will certainly contribute to our efforts to improve Germantown’s prosperity.

Joel Craig has been on the Town Board for the past two years. He will now run again on the Democratic line, as well as the Republican line, which underlines the wide-spread respect he has from Germantown residents. Joel was the Chairman of the Planning Board and now, in addition to Town Board duties he is also Chair of the Rezoning Committee, charged with revising the current Zoning Law to better reflect the goals of the Germantown Comprehensive Plan. He has two children in the local schools, and one in college.

The Candidates responded to questions from the caucus members, among the topics raised were the Town’s fiscal status, property assessments, and the new taller poles installed by National Grid to supply the new power line to Taconic Farms. Voters expressed dismay that a plan for the new lines had not been run past the Planning Board for review and perhaps, modification.

The Caucus was completed within an hour and at the close of the meeting those attending remained for more informal questions for the candidates and conversations about community issues.

“We will have an exciting campaign between now and November!” said Kay Abraham.

2008 Election Results From Germantown and Columbia County

2008-11-07T22:30:00.002-05:00

For Election Returns from Germantown and all of Columbia County Click Here

Democratic Family Picnic Saturday September 20th

2008-08-05T13:02:00.000-04:00

Germantown Democrats Website

2008-04-04T12:44:00.001-04:00

For the most current information on the Democratic Party in Germantown NY and Germantown Town Government click
Germantown Democrats Website