ELIZABETHTOWN — Evelyn Hatch and Michael McGinn are on the ballot for the four-year Town Council seat made available by the resignation of Kenneth Fenimore.
The victor in the election will serve for one year, which is the unexpired portion of the term, and then can apply for re-election in 2013.
Both candidates told the Press-Republican they were grateful to reside in Elizabethtown and expressed desire to devote their energies toward the betterment of the community.
HATCH GOALS
Hatch sees many positive attributes in Elizabethtown.
“Elizabethtown, compared to many small Adirondack towns, is fortunate in many ways. We are the county seat, have a fine hospital in our midst, a museum, golf course, library, the home of Denton Publications, two car dealerships, grocery store, drug store, and on and on,” she said.
However, she has concerns.
“But, at the same time, we have some things to worry about. Our population is declining at the same time it is aging. We’ve lost many of our small shops and businesses in the last 10 years,” Hatch said.
“Now, more than ever, it’s important that we work together. We need to be united, not divided. We need board members who can work well and are on speaking terms with other town departments, boards and organizations, and most especially with each other. It is the duty of a town board member to focus on and to promote the interests of the town and not his or her own agenda.”
Hatch added that she feels Elizabethtown is “well represented and well served by the current board, all of whom have the town’s best interests at heart. I feel my experience in business, on the Planning Board and Chamber of Commerce qualifies me to be a member of this board and to represent and promote the interests of all of the residents of Elizabethtown. If elected, I promise to work hard to do just that.”
MCGINN GOALS
McGinn’s desire to once again serve on the Town Council is largely based on economic stresses that Elizabethtown residents are facing.
“When I was in office, I worked to keep the taxes down. Now is not the time to spend a lot of money due to the economy. Maybe when the economy turns around in a few years we can look at making major purchases again.
“I also don’t think it is right that when someone spends $200,000 to $300,000 for a house and then have an elderly neighbor’s evaluation go up, and thus he or she has their taxes increased.”
In closing, McGinn stated, “I’ve always had the best interests for the town, as I would like my children to stay here. We need to do whatever we can to keep property affordable and make it so that the young people can open a business.”
Email Alvin Reiner:
rondackrambler@yahoo.com
EVELYN HATCH Age: 70 Education: Graduated St. Jean Baptiste High School, New York City; Woods Secretarial, New York City; Clinton Community College real-estate sales course; Computer Workshops I and II; Annual Government Day Training for past five years for Elizabethtown Planning Board. Professions: Legal secretary for 20 years; employed by Dancer, Fitzgerald, Sample Advertising Agency, NYC; Lever Bros., NYC; the Adirondack Council; the Nature Conservancy; former co-owner (with husband and Bailey family) of Westport Hotel; Owner and operator of Evelyn's Bakery and Delicatessen, E'town; Owner; And operator of Court St. Collectibles, Elizabethtown; currently employed part-time by Essex County Public Defender's Office. Experience: Chair and co-chair of Elizabethtown Planning Board (five years); treasurer, E'town-Lewis Chamber of Commerce (six years). Family: Two daughters, one son, eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild. MICHAEL McGINN Age: 49. Education: High school. Professions: Construction, equipment operator for Essex County; Heavy-equipment mechanic. Experience: Elizabethtown Town Council, six years; CSEA Union president for Essex County. Family: Wife, Charlotte; two daughters.
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