Gifford GOP’s only official



GUILDERLAND — The town’s only elected Republican official is running for his sixth four-year term as highway superintendent, but he says his post has nothing to do with politics.
"Politics doesn’t really play a part in my job"I’ve had good relationships with all of the town supervisors I’ve worked with," Todd Gifford said yesterday. "When our crews go down the street, we serve everyone: Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives — everyone."

Gifford has worked under six different town supervisors, both Republicans and Democrats.
"The town recognizes we’ve done a pretty good job," Gifford said yesterday. "If you don’t have a good crew of employees, you don’t get re-elected."

Gifford, first elected as highway superintendent in 1988, has worked for the town of Guilderland since 1973. He ran contested campaigns for his first races, but has run uncontested for the past three elections.

He is running unopposed again this November on the Republican, Conservative, and Independence lines.

His current annual salary is $89,885, according to the town clerk.

Gifford’s responsibilities include overseeing a nearly $4 million highway budget and he supervises a staff of 40 employees.
"I’m responsible for 164 miles of town highway," Gifford said. His department handles all aspects of maintenance of town roads, such as repairs, upkeep, and snow removal, as well as leaf vacuum services, he said.

As far as running unopposed, Gifford said it feels good.
"It is certainly much, much easier to run unopposed," he said.
Being a life-long resident of the town, Gifford said his "history runs pretty deep with the town."

When asked about county-wide consolidation of services, and the failed attempt in Berne to merge the town’s highway department with the county’s, Gifford said it should be looked at, but warned of compromising the quality of the services.
"I haven’t really gotten into it that much"but at least in this situation, I don’t think the residents would be as well served," Gifford said of consolidating town and county highway departments. "In specific situations like the snow removal, it could be a benefit and save some money."

Overall, Gifford said he hopes to continue serving the town of Guilderland, and making sure its residents have the best road services available.