Stammel to chair county Legislature

Hoffman, Loveridge chosen as vice chairs for GOP-led body

TROY, N.Y. » Longtime county Legislator Mike Stammel was chosen Tuesday night to serve as the next chairman of the Rensselaer County Legislature.

During its annual organizational meeting, the Republican- dominated Legislature also selected Wynantskill Legislator Kelly Hoffman as vice chair and Robert Loveridge of East Schodack as vice chairman for finance, according to a news release. Ken Harrington will continue as the GOP’s majority leader, as will Troy’s Peter Grimm as Democratic minority leader.

Stammel, who has represented the city of Rensselaer on the Legislature since 2001, replaces Stan Brownell as chairman after Brownell decided not to seek re- election. Stammel has been a volunteer firefighter for more than 40 years and also volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Rensselaer County, Rensselaer Little League and other local organizations.

“I look forward to working with the new and the reelected county legislators and our new county executive, Steve McLaughlin, in continuing to make Rensselaer County a great place to live, work, and play,” Stammel said in the release.

Hoffman replaces Alex Shannon as vice chair after Shannon also decided not to seek another two-year term. Hoffman was elected in November to a second term representing District 2 and becomes the first woman to serve as vice chair of the Legislature.

“I am honored and humbled that my colleagues have chosen me for this important position,” Hoffman said in the release. “I look forward to working with Chairman Stammel and the majority and minority members of the Legislature to continue the good work of the Legislature.”

Loveridge replaces Phil Danaher as vice chairman for finance after Danaher gave up his seat to run unsuccessfully for Rensselaer County Family Court judge. Loveridge was appointed to represent District 4 in the Legislature in December 2016, replacing Martin Reid, who gave up his seat amid allegations he failed to report the salary he received as the group’s chairman while collecting unemployment benefits in 2013. Loveridge, who has nearly four decades of experience in law enforcement, serving as superintendent of the Rensselaer County jail from 1994-2010, was elected to his first full term in November.

“Rensselaer County has a history of conservative budgeting that stays under the tax cap,” Loveridge said, “and I intend to continue to keep a close eye on county finances.”