|
|
Five-time Republican incumbent Philip Barrett is being challenged by Democrat Bill Casey, a 40-year resident, former Shenendehowa school board president and former director of CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services.
Barrett alleged that Casey under-reported the number of donors who gave $99, and Casey charged that Barrett's financial support is from a small group of politically connected people who work for or do business with the town.
The two men squared off along with three of the four candidates running for two town council seats at the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County's Meet the Candidates Night. The event drew about 150 to the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.
In his opening statement, Barrett stressed his administration's high points. He noted the town's debt load had been eliminated, open space land purchases were approaching 1,000 acres, and the town continued to have no general operating tax. He also pointed out that the town surplus fund had reached a point where it was able to help the
yearly budget withstand several years in a poor economy.
In his statement, Casey looked to the future. He spoke of an administration that practiced bi-partisanship instead of one party rule.
He promised an open and transparent government style that listens and responds to residents concerns in a civil manner.
Referring to a number of town land purchases, including a recent bid for the Stoney Creek Reservoir, Casey promised there would be no more purchases made without making a full public disclosure of the potential land deal.
The friendliness between the two candidates lasted only to the second question, when both were asked about political campaign fundraising.
Responding to a press release issued by Casey on Monday, Barrett questioned why so many of Casey's campaign donors' names were undisclosed on the state campaign finance Web site.
Barrett said Casey's press release was "either purposefully deceptive or his records were inaccurate" in claiming to have only five donors who contributed $99, the highest amount that can be contributed without being named.
"I counted 40 to 60 who are not listed," Barrett said. "If you're going to attack me, please get your facts straight."
Asked by the Community News how he came up with the "40 to 60" figure, Barrett replied that this was his guess, based on undisclosed campaign donations and his own calculations.
Those calculations are incorrect, according to Casey's campaign treasurer, Donna Lynch.
Lynch said about 120 people gave between $10 and $90 to Casey's campaign, and that these were grouped as undisclosed, as allowed by the law.
Lynch said some donors are small, and thus undisclosed, because they are limited financially, and fear retribution from the incumbent administration if their names are revealed. She did not say what she meant by retribution, and Barrett scoffed at the suggestion.
Casey used his time at the mike to blast Barrett's campaign for taking in $14,615 from only 19 donors.
"Thirteen people contributed $1,000 each, including seven that represent three families," Casey said.
The Democratic candidate pointed to the perception of favoritism that is created from a town supervisor who takes campaign contributions from those who either work for the town or have business with it.
"Transparency is a wonderful thing," Casey said. "It works two ways. I worry about the perception and the appearance that are given here. We can do better in this town."
He went on to criticize the town ethics policy for not prohibiting political donations.
In response, Barrett said that the town's ethics policy is used as a model for other municipalities and that it had restricted nepotism and lobbying.
"We are not allowed to put in our code that you can't accept donations," Barrett said. "And is it really that terrible that some people in town hall want to see me get elected?"
Town board race
In the race for two seats on the town board, the audience heard from incumbent Republican councilwoman Lynda Walowit, Republican candidate Jim Romano, and Democratic candidate Wanda Zygmuntowicz.
The fourth town board candidate, Margaret Catellier, who is endorsed by the Democratic Party, missed the event due to a family illness.
In her statement, 14-year incumbent Walowit noted excellent planning done by the town board "team" in the face of economic adversity.
Fellow Republican Romano lauded what he said was the current administration's positive financial planning. He pointed to his 32 years of managerial experience, seven years on the planning board, and his numerous committee positions as being beneficial to the town board and residents if elected.
Zygmuntowicz promised to represent all the town's residents and give them a voice in government that has been missing in recent years.
In a statement read at the start of the event, Catellier asked residents to give her a chance to continue the active role she has had on numerous town committees by electing her to the town board.
