Democrats have no competition, Slaver joins longtime incumbents



WESTERLO — As the town’s Republican Party lies dormant, Democratic candidates will run unopposed in the Nov. 6 election. Democrats in town outnumber Republicans nearly 3 to 1.

There is no Republican chairperson in Westerlo and no GOP candidates are running for office, according to Barbara Davis with the Albany County Republican Party. Two years ago , the town board tapped Councilman R. Gregory Zeh Jr., a Democrat, to take the place of Councilman Clifton Richardson, who died in office. Richardson was Westerlo’s first Republican town board member in 70 years.

Officials aren’t making that big of a deal of the election because they are running unopposed, said the town’s clerk, Democratic incumbent Gertrude Smith.

All those running are incumbents except for Kristen Slaver, one of the town’s planning board members. She could not be reached for comment. Long-time Democratic incumbent Robert Snyder is running for the other seat. Long-time Democratic Councilwoman Dorothy Lounsbury is not seeking re-election.

Joseph Dean, a town justice, and the town’s highway superintendent, John Nevins, are also running. Richard Rapp, who has held the supervisor’s post for over three decades, is also seeking another four-year term.

There are 2,217 registered voters in Westerlo, according to the Albany County Board of Elections. The party enrollment breaks down as follows:

— Democrat, 1,147;
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— No party, 520;
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— Republican, 395;
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— Independence, 90;
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— Conservative, 55; and
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— Other small party, 10.
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Westerlo council members serve four-year terms. All candidates, except Slaver, are also endorsed by the Independence Party.

FOR SUPERVISOR

Richard Rapp

Democratic Supervisor Richard Rapp, also the town’s Democratic chairman, is seeking another term.

Rapp, 69, is retired and has held office for 40 years. He has been the supervisor for over 30 years.

Rapp worked for the Albany County Department of Public Works and for Hudson River Construction Company in the Port of Albany.

He has been married for 50 years and has two daughters and three grandchildren. He attended Berne-Knox High School, and has been a member of the South Berne Christian Congregational Church for over 50 years.

Rapp is running because he likes to keep himself occupied and he likes what he’s doing, he said.

He is most proud of the town’s road system, the town’s parks, and its new water system.

Rapp’s goals include continuing work on the town parks and its road system and up-dating town equipment.
Regarding the planning board’s working on a master plan, Rapp said, "They haven’t really gotten started, but we’ll know more as they move along."

Every town has to have a comprehensive plan, he said, and many of the board members want other people in the community involved in the process.
"A lot of people around town have some good ideas, and we have a good planning board," Rapp said, "Together, I’m sure they’re going to come up with a good plan."

FOR TOWN BOARD

Robert Snyder

Democratic Councilman Robert Snyder, 72, has lived in Westerlo his whole life. Snyder is still farming nearly 300 acres, which has been in his family since 1918.

Snyder said he has also done other things. In the summers, he worked construction with his brother, running bulldozers and backhoes, and he cut logs in the winter.

Snyder is a lifetime member of the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company and the Rod and Gun Club. He is a past president of the club.

Snyder is also a member of the town’s historical society and a member of the Westerlo Dutch Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon.

He said he is proud of the town’s new municipally-owned water system.
"We just got done with the water system in town, so we’re in pretty good shape with that," Snyder said.

His goals include: trying to keep the town’s taxes low, keeping the town rural, and providing new equipment for the highway workers.

The town’s planning board is currently developing a master plan.
"We’ve got to wait and see what they come up with," Snyder said. He added, "I’d hate to see farmland turned into large development so maybe they can stop that from happening."

FOR TOWN BOARD

Kristen Slaver

Democrat Kristen Slaver is making her first run for the town board. Slaver is a member of the town’s newly-formed planning board.

Slaver is married and has a daughter. She attended Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk schools and then attended Hudson Valley Community College.

Slaver is originally from Albany County and has lived in the town since 1990. Slaver did not disclose where she works.

She is running, she said, because, she now has more time and her daughter is a little bit older. Slaver wants to help guide the community, such as with its laws, and she felt she could give good input.

On the town’s comprehensive plan, Slaver said she is not aware of any ground the planning board has made.

FOR TOWN CLERK

Gertrude Smith

Democratic incumbent Gertrude Smith, 68, has been the town’s clerk since 1986. Smith said she is running because she likes the job.

The town clerk serves a four-year term.

Originally from Durham, Smith has lived in Westerlo since 1966. She graduated from Greenville Highchool and attended the University at Albany.

Smith is married and has one child.