As supervisor, Rose would promote a more inclusive approach to local government. “It ought to be more of an open process,” he said. “The town talks (only) to a limited circle of people. I’m not sure they recognize competence when they see it. There are a lot of talented people in this town, but they aren’t invited to participate. This Town Board doesn’t even play nicely together. There is backbiting going on, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We’re supposed to be adults.”
Yes, no, maybe
In an early survey of potential candidates, only Rose and incumbent town justice Richard Husted tossed their hats decisively into the ring. Husted, who since 1998 has served as one of the town court’s two justices — the other is Frank Engel — confirmed in a February 5 interview that he would run again this year. The part-time justices receive a salary of about $20,000.
Councilwoman Cathy Magarelli, whose term expires at the end of the year, said that she was inclined to seek reelection but had not made a firm decision. “I was debating it for a while,” she said in recent interview. “I had to take care of some personal things. Right now I am leaning toward running. There is a good chance that I will run in the fall, but my decision is not final.”
Bill McKenna, the other Town Board member with an expiring term, sounded a similar note. “I haven’t given it any thought or discussed it with my wife, but maybe I will have a decision by next week,” he said, adding that he was “certainly not worn out” from serving his current term and “not opposed to the idea” of seeking a new one. Board members work part-time and earn about $10,000 annually.
McKenna, whom some have viewed as a potential candidate for supervisor, ruled out such a scenario for 2013, stating that the only office he might seek is a Town Board seat. “I like the idea of being supervisor someday, maybe when I’m closer to retirement, but I wouldn’t consider it this year,” said the councilman, who is the co-owner of a construction company. “I think that Jeremy is a great supervisor and I have no hard feelings toward Lorin, who could be a good supervisor.”
As McKenna sees it, the current Town Board is operating congenially and effectively. “The four of us are getting along very well,” he said. “I have enjoyed working with Cathy and Jay (Wenk), and Ken (Panza) has his strong points. The last month or so has been very civil, with no rancor. Also, the board has accomplished some things, like keeping the budget under control.”
Meanwhile, former Town Board member Terrie Rosenblum disclosed in a February 5 interview that she might enter the race for either the supervisor position or one of the Town Board vacancies. “I have been considering it, but I haven’t made up my mind yet,” said Rosenblum, who is chair of the Woodstock Democratic Committee. “I haven’t discussed this with anyone and have not set a date for a decision.”
In 2011, Rosenblum chose to forgo a bid for reelection to the council in favor of seeking the Democratic nomination for supervisor in the party’s primary, which Wilber won in a landslide. Two years later, she looks back on her Town Board service with a sense of satisfaction.
“I really enjoyed being able to help people,” she said. “It was a good feeling to serve. I learned a lot in those four years. I made some mistakes, but not that many. I miss the opportunity to help the Town Board move forward in an open and progressive way.”
Elsewhere, Planning Board member Peter Cross, who received 861 votes as a Republican candidate for Town Board in 2011 — finishing a creditable third, behind Panza (1,214 votes) and Wenk (948) — could not be reached for comment on his current plans. Town historian Richard Heppner, who contemplated a Town Board candidacy in 2011, said in a recent e-mail that he did not intend to seek office this time around. Iris York, a leading opponent of the Woodstock Commons affordable housing project and a close follower of local planning and zoning matters, also ruled out a run.
David Gross, who is chair of the Woodstock Environmental Commission, did not immediately return a call seeking comment. In 2011, Gross withdrew as an active Town Board candidate after failing to secure a Democratic endorsement through the party’s primary, but drew 212 votes in the general election as the nominee of the Working Families Party, which had previously endorsed him.
