STRATEGY SESSION
Town Democrats launch plan for fall elections
Commissioner of Elections William Fruci informed those present that this year 113 local town, city and county seats are up for election in Saratoga County.
WILTON, N.Y. >> A large community room at the Ace Hardware Distribution Center on Ballard Road was the site of an organizational and strategizing session held recently by the Wilton Democratic Party.
Committee Chair Pat Tuz introduced Saratoga County Commissioner of Elections William Fruci, who informed those present that this year 113 local town, city and county seats are up for election in Saratoga County.
Instead of prospective candidates waiting until the spring to declare their interest in running for office, they will have had four weeks or less to decide, seek party backing and pull together a campaign team that began circulating petitions by Feb. 26.
In addition, they’ll have less time to gather and turn in the required signatures on their petitions.
Fruci explained the petitioning process in common parlance for those gathered, explaining what is acknowledged protocol as they take their lists of registered voters door to door seeking signatures for each candidate to secure a position on the primary election ballot.
If the canvassers succeed in getting the registered voters in their party to respond to their knock on the front door, there are concrete steps to follow in completing the designating petition.
Many may not be aware of the requirements that include the following:
• DO NOT sign your own petition.
• Identify the signer; the signer has only to place their signature on the appropriate line; all other information can be completed by the witness.
• The signer must sign their own name in the
presence of the witness; NO ONE may sign for another person.
• The witness must actually see the petition being signed.
Fruci reiterated for clarity that this means a spouse cannot sign on behalf of their husband or wife or other household member and that the canvasser “witness” must see the signature take place. He encouraged the witnesses to “bring in twice as many signatures as they need to hold up during the validation process.”
Of the 13 counties in the 4th Judicial Convention District, Fruci said, there are nine delegates and 19 alternative delegates. Judicial candidates get the opportunity to nominate Supreme Court candidates for the State of New York in November.
Town of Wilton Democratic Party candidates preparing to run for the positions of Town Supervisor, and for one of the two Town Board positions are Nancy Dwyer for Town Supervisor, and Michele Davis for Town Board. John Helenek is for Wilton Highway Department Supervisor against long time Superintendant Kirklin Woodcock.
The following quotes present a glimpse into the motivations of each of the candidates to seek office in the Town of Wilton:
Nancy E. Dwyer, Supervisor Candidate: Wilton resident since 1973-Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker, Saratoga Excelsior Group
“I ran in 2017 and am running again this year for Supervisor of the Town of Wilton because it is time to end the ‘good ole’ boy’ network and way of doing things here in Wilton. We have grown to over 17,000 residents and many of us are not being considered, included or invited to be a part of what is going on in the Town or in crafting what the future of Wilton will look like.
“Our board currently consists of all the same gender, same party, and majority from the same firehouse. They’ve lost their sense of accountability to the people who live here.
“Good leaders create the foundation and strategies that prepare us to handle the myriad of issues that face our town; they become informed, then share that information to facilitate conversation with as many interested parties as possible, and then to work collaboratively toward optimum solutions.
“That isn’t happening and it needs to. I am registered with no official party and choose to stay that way, giving up my ability to vote in primaries, because I believe elected officials should be accountable to every single resident, regardless of party affiliation.
“My vote is not for sale. I will not take money from special interest groups, developers or companies doing business with Wilton.
“Our town’s identity and cohesiveness is challenged by a six lane highway cutting us physically in half, our families are split into three school districts and we have two postal zips, neither with a Wilton address.
“Building community here is challenging and something our current administration doesn’t do much to address. Not having a strong sense of community makes us vulnerable. It’s time we move Wilton forward, not stay stuck in the past.
“We need transparent and inclusive governing.”
Michele Hill-Davis: Town Board Candidate
“Running for public office is not about me and the issues I advocate for at the state and national level. This is about Wilton and what’s best for the citizens of Wilton.
“I am for the growth of development and infrastructure in Wilton and bringing in affordable housing and businesses that will keep Wilton’s green space and charm, while bringing in revenue that is economically and environmentally profitable.
“I am for alternate forms of transportation opportunities that will assist those without access to a car. I want to represent Wilton and give those citizens a real choice at the polls.
“I want to expand the political representation; for too long, one party has made all the decisions in Wilton, and at times, behind closed doors. I’d like the citizens of Wilton to know and understand what goes on in our town and the decisions that are made.
“The mother of three children in the Saratoga Springs school district, I’m also a wife, an educator and a public advocate for the last several years. I volunteer for the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York, the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York and I’m a Room Mom at for Dorothy Nolan Elementary School.
“I advocate for mental health issues, affordable health care, women’s rights, climate change and for gun violence prevention at the state and national level.”
John Helenek: Highway Department Supervisor candidate, lifelong Wilton resident, Firefighter, Wilton Fire Department, Highway Department employee:
“When our kids look back years from now, they will see a town that has grown and transformed, but that still has its roots in family and business life. We want to leave our kids a town that is beautiful and well-maintained.
“I have worked on the Wilton Highway Department for 29 years in multiple positions. I understand how the highway department works and feel I can be proactive and more efficient which would save money.
“I’ve seen the town grow and change over the years. The combination of aging infrastructure and the need for new infrastructure means there are issues that need to be proactively addressed to ensure the safety of Wilton residents.
“My approach would be to meet the citizens of Wilton, talk to them about their needs and concerns and solve problems before they occur. “
The polling place for Districts 1, 6, and 9 for the Tuesday, Nov. 5, election this year is the Wilton Senior Center, 18 Traver Road; other residents can vote at the larger gymnasium at Gavin Park, 10 Lewis Road, Saratoga Springs.