ELECTION DAY
Democratic-endorsed candidates seek town seats
WILTON, N.Y. >> With Election Day ahead on Tuesday, residents of Wilton will cast their votes to elect a new Town Supervisor, Highway Superintendent, two new town Justices and town council members and re-elect a Town Clerk.
Democratic candidate Richard Wolfe will compete against incumbents Town Justices David Towne and Matthew Coseo, NOP candidate Nancy Dwyer will vie against Republican John Lant, Michele Hill-Davis seeks a seat on the Town Council, and John Helenek competes with incumbent Highway Supervisor Kirkland Woodcock.
Incumbent Town Clerk Sue Baldwin is running unopposed in the election.
Richard Wolfe for Justice
Wolfe has appeared as an attorney for indigent defendants in many of the town justice courts of Saratoga County, in United States District Court for the Northern District as assigned defense counsel, in Warren County Family Court on behalf of indigent parties and was an attorney for New York State OMRDD for twenty years.
He possesses a broad range of experience in both the public and private sectors in both civil and criminal matters.
“Town Justice Court is the gateway to our judicial system. It can be, for many
criminally accused, an important turning point. As Wilton Town Justice, I will use every opportunity in collaboration with defense and prosecution attorneys to seek justice for the defendant and the community, “Wolfe states.
He became a resident of Wilton in 1993. A recent widower, he has three adult daughters and five grandchildren.
Wolfe is admitted to practice law in the courts of New York State, including the federal district courts. He is a graduate Fordham College, Columbia University Teacher’s College and Pace University School of Law.
He has a lifetime commitment to the service of the developmentally disabled and is actively involved on the Board of Directors of a major regional not for profit.
Although currently an active solo practitioner, Wolfe plans to close his law practice if elected as a Wilton Town Justice.
Nancy Dwyer for Supervisor
Some of the issues that interest Hill-Davis are reasonable and responsible development that is also environmentally friendly; revenue sources that will keep Wilton as a “no town tax” town; and the availability of alternate forms of transportation that will assist those without access to a car.
Nancy Dwyer believes her leadership and business skills enable her to effectively govern Wilton. She is politically affiliated as an NOP, or No Official Party. She had the endorsement of the Democratic and Working Families parties and has officially created her own party line called the
Public Servants.
Dwyer is a graduate of Saratoga High School, earned an Economics degree from SUNY Albany and a Masters degree in Math Education. Her professional experience includes teaching, real estate brokerage, finance and small business ownership.
She plans to work proactively to ensure growth and development that enhances Wilton, adheres to its Comprehensive and Open Space Plans, and which can be supported by our infrastructure. She is committed to maintaining the “No Town Tax” financial structure, increased transparency, and creating greater opportunities to communicate and collaborate with the citizens of Wilton.
“We have a lot of talent living here in Wilton that’s not being invited to the table.,”said Dwyer.
Dwyer is active in the community, including an appointment by the Governor to the Saratoga Capital Region Parks Commission, and is a graduate of the 2018 class of Leadership Saratoga, a program dedicated to the development of leaders who will serve their communities today and in the future.
She is on the Board of Directors for Gateway House of Peace and is an active member of the Friends of Moreau Lake State Park.
Michele Hill-Davis for Councilwoman, Town Board
Michele Hill-Davis would like the citizens of Wilton to know and understand more of what goes on in the town, and about the decisions that are made. She wants to diversify the political representation on the Town Board as “for too long, one party has made all the decisions in Wilton, and at times, behind closed doors. I am looking forward to making a difference for all our citizens,” she stated.
Some of the issues that interest Hill-Davis are reasonable and responsible development that is also environmentally friendly; revenue sources that will keep Wilton as a “no town tax” town; and the availability of alternate forms of transportation that will assist those without access to a car.
Michele is married and is the mother of 3 children attending school in the Saratoga Springs School District. She has been a teacher in the Saratoga Springs
School District for 17 years.
She volunteers for the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York, the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, and is a room mom at Dorothy Nolan Elementary School.
For the last several years she has advocated for mental health issues, affordable health care, women’s rights, climate change and for gun violence prevention at the state and national levels.
John Helenek For Highway Department
When John Helenek sees the transformation Wilton has undergone over the course of his life, and in his 28 years on the Highway Department, he recognizes that changes to the town will be even greater in the years ahead.
“A 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,” he says. Politically affiliated as an NOP, Helenek’s approach would be to meet the citizens of Wilton, talk to them about their needs and concerns, and solve problems before they occur.
Prior to the Highway Department, where he has worked for 30 years in multiple positions, John worked in local businesses and learned how to work with and enjoy Wilton’s public. He is a lifelonlong resident of Wilton, a graduate of Saratoga High School, and a firefighter with the Wilton Fire Department.