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Democrats select town office nominees
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| The Chatham Dems candidates for the contested town elected positions in the upcoming November election. Left to Right candidates Landra Haber, Town Clerk/Tax Collector; Don Hegeman, Town Board; James Forster, Assessor; and Bob Balcom, Town Board. |
At the Democratic Town Caucus meetings Bob Balcom and Don Hegeman gained early support to run for a second term as town board members. The caucus also identified candidates to run for Assessor, James Forster and Town Clerk/Tax Collector Landra Haber both of Valatie.
For the past six years, Bob Balcom and Don Hegeman have been working diligently to create a smart, reasonable comprehensive plan for the town of Chatham. At first, they worked simply as citizen volunteers. Then, sensing that they needed to take leadership roles they increased their involvement in subcommittees and the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee in order to move the process forward.
In 2005, they ran for—and won—seats on the town board so that they could build a consensus for prudent planning in Chatham. As a direct result of their efforts, the town now has a new Comprehensive Plan, passed unanimously by the town board this summer. The plan, which reflects the viewpoints of a wide range of Chatham residents, has one overriding purpose: to protect the rural character of the town from reckless development by outsiders.
The Chatham Dems believe it is imperative to re-elect Bob and Don, to not only capitalize on their experience as town board members, but to also implement the new plan with the same thoughtfulness and balance that they showed while helping to write and pass it. Other points to make about the Balcom Hegeman candidacy are their platform of improving town board communication, putting the budget into plain English, and getting serious about Crellin Park.
James Forster, who has been a town resident and member of the Kinderhook Lake Improvement Association since 2004 and its treasurer since 2007 is the Democratic candidate for assessor. As an attorney he has 25 years experience concentrating on the field of construction law. He is currently counsel to the law firm of DeLuca & Forster. (Valatie, NY and Cranford, NJ)
James was also an adjunct associate professor for 14 years at the Pratt Institute, New York City. He taught construction law and facilities management in both the undergraduate and graduate schools. Forster is also the co-author of the text book “New York Construction Law Manual” (Shepards-McGraw Hill, 1992) as well as numerous other articles.
Mr. Forster’s lead position on running for assessor is that the process of property assessment must be run in a transparent and fair manner. The Chatham Dems believe that James Forster has the training and communication skills to improve public confidence in town property assessments.
Landra Haber of Valatie rounds out the Democratic field selected at the caucus. Upon moving to Chatham with her family in 1993 Landra immediately became involved in the community. She was PTA officer (President, Vice President, and Secretary); school librarian; fund raising chairperson; editor and publisher of the parent newsletter; member of the committee establishing alternative elementary school; and parent member of the Committee on Special Education.
In 1996 Ms. Haber was elected to the Ichabod Crane Board of Education where she served for 13 years as the only resident of Chatham on the Board. Landra worked in various school board committees such as Policy, Labor Negotiations, Strategic Planning, Health and Safety, Communications and Attendance committees, providing Landra a first-hand perspective of the workings of government. This became obvious to the Chatham Dems participating in the candidate interview process.
For more information on the Chatham Dems contact Ernie Reis at 392-3449.
For the past six years, Bob Balcom and Don Hegeman have been working diligently to create a smart, reasonable comprehensive plan for the town of Chatham. At first, they worked simply as citizen volunteers. Then, sensing that they needed to take leadership roles they increased their involvement in subcommittees and the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee in order to move the process forward.
In 2005, they ran for—and won—seats on the town board so that they could build a consensus for prudent planning in Chatham. As a direct result of their efforts, the town now has a new Comprehensive Plan, passed unanimously by the town board this summer. The plan, which reflects the viewpoints of a wide range of Chatham residents, has one overriding purpose: to protect the rural character of the town from reckless development by outsiders.
The Chatham Dems believe it is imperative to re-elect Bob and Don, to not only capitalize on their experience as town board members, but to also implement the new plan with the same thoughtfulness and balance that they showed while helping to write and pass it. Other points to make about the Balcom Hegeman candidacy are their platform of improving town board communication, putting the budget into plain English, and getting serious about Crellin Park.
James Forster, who has been a town resident and member of the Kinderhook Lake Improvement Association since 2004 and its treasurer since 2007 is the Democratic candidate for assessor. As an attorney he has 25 years experience concentrating on the field of construction law. He is currently counsel to the law firm of DeLuca & Forster. (Valatie, NY and Cranford, NJ)
James was also an adjunct associate professor for 14 years at the Pratt Institute, New York City. He taught construction law and facilities management in both the undergraduate and graduate schools. Forster is also the co-author of the text book “New York Construction Law Manual” (Shepards-McGraw Hill, 1992) as well as numerous other articles.
Mr. Forster’s lead position on running for assessor is that the process of property assessment must be run in a transparent and fair manner. The Chatham Dems believe that James Forster has the training and communication skills to improve public confidence in town property assessments.
Landra Haber of Valatie rounds out the Democratic field selected at the caucus. Upon moving to Chatham with her family in 1993 Landra immediately became involved in the community. She was PTA officer (President, Vice President, and Secretary); school librarian; fund raising chairperson; editor and publisher of the parent newsletter; member of the committee establishing alternative elementary school; and parent member of the Committee on Special Education.
In 1996 Ms. Haber was elected to the Ichabod Crane Board of Education where she served for 13 years as the only resident of Chatham on the Board. Landra worked in various school board committees such as Policy, Labor Negotiations, Strategic Planning, Health and Safety, Communications and Attendance committees, providing Landra a first-hand perspective of the workings of government. This became obvious to the Chatham Dems participating in the candidate interview process.
For more information on the Chatham Dems contact Ernie Reis at 392-3449.
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