Richard Klotz
Richard Klotz. (Photo by Lauren Thomas)
Richard Klotz, 60, also of Highland, has just about every other endorsement and cross endorsement one could imagine.
He’ll be on the ballot as the Conservative, Democratic and Independence parties candidate for highway superintendent, but Klotz also has the blessing of several local unions and the endorsement of current Superintendent Lombardi.
In his professional life, Klotz is a project superintendent for a construction company and works a lot in Staten Island. Some of the construction projects he’s run have included roads and bridges. If elected, he’d rely on his experience at his previous job to help him deal with the New York State Department of Transportation and the Thruway Authority and with tracking costs.
“I just think my experience in the construction field working with the state” would be an asset, he said. “I’ve done that many a year now. I can recognize the problems.”
When asked why he’d like to run, he said “it’s just something I did so that I could give back.”
“It’s a good opportunity to come home and do something here,” he added.
A priority for Klotz is to get crews out on the roads early to deal with small problems that might eventually morph into larger ones.
“A little pothole is not taken care of right away and pretty soon you’ve got a lagoon there,” he said. Along with catching up on basic maintenance, Klotz also stressed that he’d like to work with the Town Board to help facilitate better drainage in town — something which could help avoid a repeat of Hurricane Irene.
Like his opponent, Klotz has never run for elected office before. However, he felt that his construction background would be an asset to the people who might vote for him.
“I’m very well-qualified for the job,” he said. “I’ve got tons of experience with roads.” ++
