RENSSELAERVILLE — Now in her first term as a town board member, Marion Cooke wants to continue for another four years.

“I’m running because I think the town is running on an even keel and I’d like to see it stay that way,” said Cooke, who is also deputy supervisor.

RENSSELAERVILLE — To be and remain a rural community requires pro-active work, according to Jeannette Rice. The Democratic candidate for town council sees a board role for supporting farms and small businesses.

RENSSELAERVILLE — Having spent all of his life in Preston Hollow, Gerald Wood, 67, is running for the town board for the first time.

Wood said contentious town board meetings in the past few years caused him concern.

The two most recently appointed councilmen are up for election, as well as Keith Wright, the town's highway superintendent, and Kenneth Mackey, a town judge.

BERNE — Clients and animals were like family for Bonnie Jean Schmidt. She took her work as a home health aid seriously, with strength and gentleness, like the elephant tattooed on her arm.

Bonnie Jean Schmidt died of cirrhosis of the liver on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. She was 57.

WESTERLO — Kenneth Mackey says he has learned a lot in his last four years on the bench.

“A lot of people don’t belong in jail,” he said. “I know now that some people really do.  You can tell the minute they walk in the courtroom.”

WESTERLO — Keith Wright likes being Westerlo’s highway superintendent.

“It’s not the same every day,” he said. “There’s always something different.”

Wright, who is 58, will have worked for the highway department for 20 years in June; he was foreman for six years and was appointed to the top spot 10 months ago.

WESTERLO — Theodore Lounsbury grew up in town, in Dormansville, and Westerlo is where he chose to stay.

“I’ve always loved it,” he said. “Everyone knows everyone else. It’s where my wife and I are raising our two kids.”

WESTERLO — Councilman William Bichteman said he was “terrified” at his first town board meeting.

A question was asked, and Bichtemen felt he wasn’t well informed to answer.

Since then, he has spent a lot of time making sure he is well versed on a wide variety of town issues, he said.

A varsity coach says he doesn't know why he is being fired; some parents and players say he favors stars. A frank and open discussion on the role of a coach is called for.