Races take shape for town seats

Full field of candidates line up to challenge one another

WILTON, N.Y. » A full field of candidates is lining up in the race for several town positions in this fall’s elections.

In addition to Nancy Dwyer, who is challenging incumbent Republican Supervisor Art Johnson, Democrats have endorsed Paula Tancredi Penman and Ken Garcia for town board.

They’ll be facing incumbent GOP Councilman John McEachron and first-time Republican candidate Duane Bogardus.

Incumbent Joanne Klepetar, who ran as a Democrat four years ago, is not seeking re-election.

Town council terms are for four years, with a $13,104 annual salary.

Penman said she wants to “contribute her experience to this growing community.”

A graduate from the Yale School of Management, she is on the board of Shelters of Saratoga, and has been on Juvenile Diabetes Foundation board. She is also a “soccer mom,” coaching her son’s team.

“I believe in choice and a voice,” Penman said. “More than one candidate should run for office and that person needs to represent all the people of Wilton.”

Garcia, a 25-year Wilton resident, said town government should be transparent and more people should be part of the decision making process.

“I’d like to encourage more people to come to town meetings, to planning board meetings, and help shape the future of Wilton,” he said. “We are a growing community and everybody should be part of it.”

McEachron is seeking re-election to a second term. He owns Relia-Tech Auto Services,

a vehicle repair shop previously owned by Councilman John Lant, on Route 9. McEachron is the town board’s liaison to the Highway Department. He wants the Highway Department to get on a regular rotation of replacing vehicles as they age, to save money in the long run.

McEachron is also on a town committee overseeing plans for a $6 million capital project that includes a new court building, new senior center and an addition to Town Hall.

In the community he is first captain of Maple Avenue Fire Department.

Bogardus is employed as a law enforcement officer for the state Office of Mental Health, a job he’s had for 36 years. He is also Maple Avenue Fire Department’s deputy chief and works with the “R.U.OK?” program, a local effort to ensure Wilton residents are safe and obtain needed services in the event of an emergency, such as a largescale power outage.

“I’ve always had a passion for politics, although I’ve never been directly involved,” Bogardus said. “An opportunity presented itself this year so I decided to give it a try. I think Wilton is one of the best-run towns in the area. It’s in good financial shape. I’d like to help keep things going in the direction they’re going.”

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT

The town Highway Department has a nearly $3 million annual budget. The highway superintendent is elected to a two-year term and makes $70,540 per year.

Democrat John Helenek is trying to unseat longtime Republican Highway Superintendent Kirklin D. Woodcock. He is a lifelong Wilton resident who has worked for the town Highway Department for over 28 years. Helenek said he foresees more rapid growth on the horizon for Wilton, which has changed dramatically during his tenure as a town employee. He’s running for highway superintendent because he’s familiar with Wilton’s infrastructure, and wants to work proactively to make sure it’s ready and able to support future growth. Also, he wants roads and other facilities to be in good shape for residents to use safely and conveniently.

Woodcock said the number of town highway miles has almost doubled from 57 to 108 during his 30 years as highway superintendent. This is primarily from the growth and development of new housing subdivisions throughout town.

“I don’t want to retire,” Woodcock said. “I think I can contribute more to the Town of Wilton. My experience has taken me through some very hard times -hurricanes, fires and the like. I want to try to improve things as much as we can. I’ve also done a lot at Gavin Park, working with the Buildings and Grounds Department. I’ve enjoyed working with the different department heads on various projects. We’ve got a good team here in Wilton.”

TOWN JUSTICE

The town has plans to replace its current, outdated court building with a new structure.

Justice terms are for four years and pay $32,270 annually. Democrat Eric Rosenberg is challenging incumbent Republican Gerald Worth. “I see this position as a way to use my legal experience and education for the benefit of my community,” Rosenberg said. “I bought a home and settled in Wilton in the summer of 2016. Prior to that I lived in Saratoga Springs, where I moved in 2012 after having lived in Florida. I have been a licensed attorney in Florida since 1994 and am currently a member in good standing of The Florida Bar.”

He graduated magna cum laude in 1994 from the Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law in Fort Lauderdale, and currently owns and operates a business as a dealer in antiques, collectibles and art.

Worth is in his 40th year as town justice. Both of his parents, Wesley and Lillian, were justices as well -- his father for 28 years and his mother for two, to fill her husband’s term after he passed away.

Worth said Wilton has the second-busiest town court in Saratoga County behind only Clifton Park. It handles almost 10,000 traffic cases, several dozen civil cases and a growing number of small claims lawsuits. Traffic fines generate about $200,000 per year in money the town gets back from the state, he said.

Worth was the town’s only justice when he started out. Now there are two along with five court clerks.

“I enjoy doing it,” he said. “I’ve been just for most of my life. I’d like to continue.”

TOWN CLERK

To date, no one has announced plans to challenge incumbent Republican Sue Baldwin for town clerk.