Three candidates are vying for two seats on the Rosendale Town Board, one of them vacated by retiring Republican councilman Bob Ryan: Democrats John Hughes and Stacy Lipari and Republican Frank Klepeis.
John Hughes, who was elected to fill out the final year of Bob Gallagher’s term on the Town Board when Gallagher became highway superintendent, is now running for reelection to a full two-year term. A building contractor perhaps better-known as the bassist of the kindie-rock band Dog on Fleas, Hughes’s priorities for a new term include finishing the rebuilding of the Town Pool, seeing the Williams Lake project through its transition and fostering a healthy, vibrant local economy while protecting Rosendale’s environment and quality of life.
Stacy Lipari is a former teacher and currently the director of the Creative Co-op on Main Street in Rosendale. Her priorities, if elected, include maintenance of the town’s aging infrastructure, maintaining affordability for all and balancing the effects of demographic change and increased tourism by fostering community connections for all residents.
An electrician by trade, Frank Klepeis is currently a member of Rosendale’s Zoning Board of Appeals and has worked for the town in many volunteer capacities over the years. His priorities include replacing the town’s water lines in a sustainable manner, upgrading the sewer plant and finishing the new pool.
Town justice
Two candidates are contending for the post of town justice vacated in June by the retirement of Robert Vosper: Democrat Charles Kniceley and Republican Carl Hornbeck.
Best-known in the community as a jazz/rock bass-player and longtime co-organizer of the Rosendale Street Festival, Charlie Kniceley emphasizes the importance of a high degree of judicial fairness for every individual who comes before the town court. He believes that creative solutions that do not include incarceration should be sought in every case where they are a possibility.
Carl Hornbeck was the Rosendale highway superintendent for 20 years and served for 14 years on the Ulster County Traffic Board for the last 14 years. He is also a former police officer and investigator with both the town’s police department and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department, with a total of 21 years’ experience in law enforcement. Hornbeck believes that no changes are needed in the town court at this point in time, except for a second justice. If elected, he plans to sit down with Judge Pape and the clerks to familiarize himself with the court and work together to make any changes that may become necessary with regard to updating technologies and enhancing workflow.
Running unopposed
Running unopposed in Rosendale this November are incumbents town supervisor Jeanne Walsh, highway superintendent Bob Gallagher and Manna Jo Greene, Ulster County Legislature representative for the 19th District, serving Rosendale and a portion of Marbletown.
To read in-depth profiles about all the candidates running for office in Rosendale, visit www.ulsterpub.wpengine.com.
— Frances Marion Platt
