BERNE — Once again, the Berne Republican Committee will support a registered Democrat in his run for town supervisor.

In a standing-room-only caucus last week, Berne Republicans voted to nominate Supervisor Kevin Crosier for re-election. Crosier, a registered Democrat, ran on the Republican ticket four years ago, beating incumbent Democrat Alan Zuk.

Making his first run for office four years ago, Crosier told The Enterprise that, though he was running as a Republican, he didn’t "embrace every party value." "I’m creating the people’s platform. The only people that told me what to do are the people," he said.

Crosier wasn’t available for comment this week.

Republican Chairman Phillip Stevens told The Enterprise that, at the Aug. 22 caucus, he nominated a Republican, Rudolph Stempel, for the job. The local businessman ran successfully on the Republican ticket in the early ’80’s, serving one term as supervisor.
However, Stevens said, the vote between Crosier and Stempel was "not close."

Though he nominated someone else, Stevens said he supports Crosier as supervisor.
"I think he’s done a great job," Stevens said.

In November, Crosier will face the Democratic nominee, Councilman James Hamilton.

Crosier works as an Albany firefighter.

Joining Crosier on the Republican ticket are Mary Overbaugh and William Lichliter, each seeking one of the open seats on the town board. They will face Democratic incumbent Joseph Golden and Democrat Wayne Emory—both former school board members.

Stevens said the Republican Committee has not nominated anyone for any of the remaining open town positions—town clerk, highway superintendent, assessor, town justice, and tax collector—though it still may.

The Republican platform this election will include finishing the town’s sewer project while keeping costs down, and putting sidewalks in the hamlet of Berne, Stevens said. Also, Stevens said, he opposes businesses like Stewart’s in the hamlet, though he doesn’t fault the company for trying to make money.

In late June, the Stewart’s Corporation withdrew from the planning board an application to build a convenience store and gas station in the hamlet. The company said the town’s zoning was too restrictive.

Earlier this year, Berne passed a revision to its zoning ordinance rezoning the hamlet of Berne from largely residential to mixed-use. According to the ordinance, new businesses can move in, but they have to meet strict requirements intended to make them blend in with the historical hamlet.

The rezoning was one of the most divisive issues in the town in years. While Crosier strongly supported it, Hamilton voted against it with councilwoman Carol Crounse, saying they would support it if gas stations weren’t allowed anywhere in the hamlet.

Stevens said he’s confident that, if elected, Crosier, Overbaugh, and Lichliter will be able to enact the items on the Republican platform.

Though registered Democrats outnumber Republicans overwhelmingly in the Hilltowns, Stevens said he believes GOP candidates in Berne are becoming increasingly popular among independents and Democrats voting across party lines.
"We have really intelligent people here," he said. "More and more are moving to the town and want better things for the town and their children."

--Crosier must be away or something, because he hasn’t returned my calls for several days. I’ll add his comments if he calls back.