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      I don’t know what Schodack’s Republican candidates are afraid of. Lead by Rich Crist, they have declined participation in the Meet the Candidates Night, sponsored by the Schodack Planning and Development Association, and moderated by the League of Women Voters.
     “Everyone’s busy”, was the excuse given, though several dates were offered weeks ago. Mike Kenney didn’t bother responding to either the invitation or any follow up inquiries as to his availability. Just rude, in my opinion.
     They hold all elected and appointed positions in town government, the Supervisor is running unopposed, and the Democrats are running one candidate for Council. The Republican incumbents had nothing to lose yet still snubbed this event, which in the past has drawn crowds in the hundreds.
     Does the Town Board not want to be questioned about the cronyism that has driven the last three appointments they’ve made?
     Mike Kenney, never once spotted at a Town meeting before last year, was appointed to fill Ken Stinner’s Board seat last summer, under cover of darkness (i.e. not on that night’s agenda). His qualifications for office: being nephew to Legislator Alex Shannon and helping Green Meadow build a playground.

     Connections over competence.

     James Church, recent appointee to the Planning Board, was appointed on his credentials as a former Bruno operative. The planning vacancy was never advertised to the public.
     Ex-Planning Board Chair Peter Goold was recently appointed Town Assessor, without serious competition or experience for the job.
     The obvious conclusion: Schodack residents aren’t fairly considered for appointed or salaried posts in town government.      
     Do incumbent candidates fear questions about our taxes continuing to rise or the ongoing spending spree with our money they’ve voted to approve?
     We’ll never know because they are too busy to talk to us or listen to concerns about issues we feel are important.
     The nepotism, cronyism, and lack of transparency and accountability, rampant in our town have gotten us here: highest taxes around, unchallenged spending decisions, questionable appointments.
     As an elected official, wouldn’t you want the opportunity to reach out to those you allegedly represent? Isn’t that what democracy is all about?

Elizabeth Gable

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